Bahrain signed private-sector agreements worth approximately $17 billion during Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s visit to Washington, including new investments in digital infrastructure, aluminium manufacturing, aviation links, and capital commitments in the US. The deals were announced at a reception hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce, marking a key step in expanding bilateral economic ties.
Cisco Systems agreed to provide digital infrastructure solutions for Bahrain’s government information and telecommunications network. A separate deal will see the deployment of an 800 km multi-fibre submarine cable connecting Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq to global networks.
Bahraini private-sector firms and financial institutions pledged a collective $10.7 billion in US-based investments. Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat, signed a $2 billion partnership with US companies to develop downstream aluminium projects and create jobs.
The Crown Prince was welcomed at the Chamber by Ross Perot Jr., Chair of its Board and Executive Committee. The reception also marked the opening of direct flights between Bahrain and New York City.
These deals build on a 2023 US–Bahrain security and economic agreement and follow Bahrain’s role in hosting the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet. The Cisco and submarine cable projects enhance Gulf digital infrastructure, part of efforts under national plans, such as Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.
