Manama, Bahrain - 26 June 2014

The American Chamber of Commerce Bahrain (AmCham Bahrain) today announced its meeting with West Point Home (WPH), a leading textile manufacturer in the US and an active member of AmCham Bahrain, about doing business via the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain,.

The meeting, which was attended by Mr. Billy Harris, Vice President International Manufacturing and Operations of WPH and Mr. Qays Hatim Zu'bi, President of AmCham Bahrain. Discussions focused on business opportunities and job creation by WPH in Bahrain and how AmCham can support WPH's efforts to build their network and further their business development efforts throughout the MENA region including the introduction of their locally produced products to hotels in the regional markets.

Commenting, Mr. Billy Harris, Vice President of WPH, said, "We are pleased to join hands with AmCham Bahrain to further extend our business in the region. In 2006, WPH purchased Manama Textile and turned WestPoint Bahrain into the largest home textile manufacturer in the region. AmCham Bahrain has advocated on WPH's behalf for an extension to the FTA TPL, which would enables us to ship up to 50 million yards annually to the US."

Mr. Qays Hatim Zu'bi, President of AmCham Bahrain, added, "It is our pleasure to support WPH and other AmCham members to both develop their businesses and to invest in the Kingdom. We have recently hosted a visiting US Senate delegation to highlight how companies have successfully used the FTA to their benefit.  They were very impressed with what is manufactured here in Bahrain and how WestPoint Bahrain supports job creation and growth both Bahrain and the US."

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ABOUT AMCHAM BAHRAIN
The American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain (AmCham Bahrain), an independent, private, non-profit, non-political business association, was formed in 2006 to capitalize on the newly implemented Free Trade Agreement between the US and Bahrain with the purpose to help companies take advantage of the new markets and benefits that came from this significant agreement.  Our members range from Fortune 500 corporations to small and medium sized companies to not-for-profit organizations to individual business leaders and entrepreneurs.

AmCham Bahrain is a member of the US Chamber of Commerce and part of the global network of American Chambers of Commerce which includes AmCham MENA, MECACC (Middle East Council of American Chambers of Commerce), and the US-Bahrain Business Council.  The US Chamber of Commerce, based in Washington DC, is a powerhouse and is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state, local and industry associations.  MECCAC, the regional network of AmChams, works to foster increased collaboration amongst the members and works on promoting greater business opportunities between the US and the Gulf region. 

Through these affiliations, AmCham helps its members succeed by providing a wide range of networking opportunities, unparalleled government advocacy, valuable business information and intelligence, and comprehensive business support services.

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© Press Release 2014