WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/STR/N/4/BHR/Rev.1
G/STR/N/5/BHR/Rev.1
G/STR/N/6/BHR/Rev.1
27 February 2001
(01-0964)
Working Party on
State Trading EnterprisesOriginal:  English
STATE TRADING
New and Full and Updating Notifications Pursuant to Article XVII:4(a)
of the GATT 1994 and Paragraph 1 of the Understanding on
the Interpretation of Article XVII
BAHRAIN
Revision
The following communication, dated 16 February 2001, has been received from the
Permanent Mission of Bahrain.
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The State of Bahrain is pleased to attach herewith the notification referred to in document
G/STR/Q1/BHR/2, which is now in accordance with the format of the questionnaire contained in
document G/STR/3, dated 7 April 1998.G/STR/N/4/BHR/Rev.1
G/STR/N/5/BHR/Rev.1
G/STR/N/6/BHR/Rev.1
Page 2
QUESTIONNAIRE ON STATE TRADING
I. ENUMERATION OF STATE TRADING ENTERPRISES
The Ministry of Commerce of the State of Bahrain is considered as a State Trading Enterprise
under the interpretation of Article XVII:4(a).  The products covered are imports of live sheep from
Australia.
II. REASON AND PURPOSE FOR INTRODUCING AND MAINTAINING STATE
TRADING
The measure is intended as a social support mechanism to assist the population by providing
meat at affordable prices.  In this respect nationals prefer, by virtue of religious reasons (Halal), as
well as cultural preference to consume only fresh meat slaughtered in accordance with Islamic
principles.  With this in mind, the Government elected to support the public at large by itself taking
responsibility for the import of live sheep from Australia, their maintenance and subsequent slaughterand sale.
With effect from 1 January 2001, the function of importing live sheep from Australia has
been passed to the private sector company, Bahrain Livestock Company, with the privilege given for a
period of five years.
III. DESCRIBE THE FUNCTIONING OF THE STATE TRADING ENTERPRISES
(a) The enterprise deals only with imports of live sheep from Australia;
(b) The private sector is also allowed to import live sheep, other than from Australia, and
is also free to import fresh or frozen meat, from Australia or any other country, and
compete freely with the Ministry of Commerce, and subsequently the Bahrain
Livestock Company;
(c) The quantities imported depend on an assessment of local demand, and are
determined through the experience of the Ministry of Commerce with due reference
to population growth, and seasonal fluctuations in demand;
(d) The re-sale price of the meat is established by the Government with the difference
between total cost of operations and the retail price being supported as a social
subsidy to support the basic living standard of all persons resident in Bahrain;
(e) Contracts for the supply of live sheep from Australia are exercised based on
commercial considerations as to price, quality, delivery, reliability of supply, etc.
Transportation is a major price factor influencing the selection of the country of
export.
IV. STATISTICAL INFORMATION
See attached table.
V. REASON WHY NO FOREIGN TRADE HAS TAKEN PLACE
Not applicable.G/STR/N/4/BHR/Rev.1
G/STR/N/5/BHR/Rev.1
G/STR/N/6/BHR/Rev.1
Page 3Ministry of Commerce
Foreign Trade Relations Directorate
State of Bahrain Imports of Live Animals:  Other Sheep (HS 01041090)
1997 1998 1999
Country Quantity Value, BD Quantity Value, BD Quantity Value, BD
Australia 306,940 5,982,800 304,209 6,084,180 452,508 9,051,160
Jordan 4,461 197,330 818 34,560
Kazakstan 3,745 164,070 5,352 160,560
Saudi Arabia 1,810 63,736 2,531 106,302 4,665 196,008
Syria 1,574 62,140 200 9,000
Qatar 875 36,748 200 8,400
Iran 485 19,400 868 34,720 10,083 458,040
Kuwait 80 3,360 100 4,200
India 250 5,000
United Arab Emirates 1,000 42,000
TOTAL 319,970 6,529,584 314,528 6,446,922 468,256 9,747,208
Australia's Share of Total 96% 92% 97% 94% 97% 93%
Source: Central Statistics Organization
Note: 1999 figures are preliminary data
BD: Bahraini Dinar
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