Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/294/REV.1 |
S-II§26 |
Bahrain, Kingdom of |
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Under the Pan Arab Free-Trade Area (PAFTA) Treaty , in force since 1 January 1998, most trade barriers among its members were eliminated on 1 January 2005, with some products excluded from liberalization for health, environmental, security, and religious reasons. Numerous implementation problems and non-tariff barriers are still reported, such as differing standards, lengthy bureaucratic and administrative procedures at the borders, and transit fees. For products imported from PAFTA countries, local value-added of at least 40% is required in order to qualify for preferential treatment. Currently, 17 members are implementing the agreement. The principal entity responsible for implementing the programme is the Economic and Social Council of the League of Arab States. The PAFTA was notified to the WTO by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2006.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/294/REV.1 |
S-II§27 |
Bahrain, Kingdom of |
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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A free-trade agreement (FTA) between Bahrain and the United States was concluded in 2004. Bahrain was the first GCC country to do so. This FTA, which entered into force in August 2006, covers trade in goods and services; it also has provisions on investment, intellectual property rights, e-commerce, labour, environment, and dispute settlement. It provides for tariff elimination in agricultural and non-agricultural goods over a maximum of ten years, although a large share of products were granted duty-free access immediately.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/294/REV.1 |
S-III§60 |
Bahrain, Kingdom of |
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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The Bahrain Standards and Metrology Directorate (BSMD) within the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) is the standardization body and the national enquiry point in Bahrain. The BSMD is responsible for standardization, metrology, conformity, and quality assurance. The BSMD prepares, revises, amends, and publishes approved Bahraini technical regulations and conformity assessments as well as Bahraini national standards, to meet international demands for quality, design, performance, safety and environmental impact of products and services. The BSMD also accepts and adopts, as appropriate, the technical regulations, standards, guides, recommendations of other foreign countries and of regional (Gulf and Arab States) and international organizations. The BSMD regulates eight product categories (Table 3.9).
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/294/REV.1 |
S-IV§8 |
Bahrain, Kingdom of |
2014 |
Sectors |
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Agriculture |
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Agriculture (including fishing) is a small sector in Bahrain's economy, contributing 0.3% of real GDP in 2012 and 1.2% of total employment. Bahrain's arable agricultural land (around 6,200 hectare in 2010), suffers from limited water resources, poor and declining soil, and unfavourable climate.
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Natural resources
Soil
Climate
Water
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/294/REV.1 |
S-IV§36 |
Bahrain, Kingdom of |
2014 |
Sectors |
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Energy |
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In recent years, Bahrain has recognized the importance of renewable energy sources as an alternative source of power. Two renewable energy projects are being implemented: the 5 MW solar plant in Awali, with roof panels and connection through a smart grid, is a joint-venture between BAPCO, NOGA and two U.S.-based firms, Caspian Energy Holdings and Petra Solar; and the second project is a combined solar/wind plant in the south with a capacity of 3 MW and 2MW for solar and wind, respectively.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/294/REV.1 |
S-IV§31 |
Bahrain, Kingdom of |
2014 |
Sectors |
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Energy |
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The Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) is the sole agency responsible for electricity generation, transmission, and distribution in Bahrain. The EWA's policy objectives include, inter alia, to provide a reliable, cost effective, and quality supply of electricity and water; to maintain, develop, and improve the transmission and distribution network to ensure highest standards of efficiency and minimum energy los s; and to meet Bahrain's increasing demands for electricity and water consumption.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/292/REV.2 |
S-Summary§26 |
Malaysia |
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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(…) Equitable and sustainable growth depends on implementing diversification and improved total factor productivity - enhancing structural reforms especially those aimed at addressing fiscal consolidation, tax reform and expenditure rationalization concerns. These and related reforms would increase the flexibility of the Malaysian economy and its ability to respond to growing external competition.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/292/REV.2 |
S-II§9 |
Malaysia |
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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(…) The NEAC produced the New Economic Model for Malaysia (NEM) in 2010, which concluded that in order for Malaysia to achieve economic growth (with an income per capita target of US$15,000-20,000) on an inclusive and sustainable basis, an economic, social, and governmental transformation was required. (…)
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/292/REV.2 |
S-Summary§1 |
Malaysia |
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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(…) The economy continued to undergo a significant external rebalancing due to a decline in external surpluses, while policies continue to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth in order to turn Malaysia into a high income country by 2020. (…)
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Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/292/REV.1 |
G-I§1 |
Malaysia |
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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The economic policies are aimed at bringing Malaysia closer towards its goal of becoming a high-income nation that is both inclusive and sustainable by 2020. (…)
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