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US ambassador Justin Siberell stepped out for a taste of home amongst the thousands of products on display at Lulu Hypermarket in Juffair and kick started a series of Discover America Festival events.
The popular store pulled out all the Red, White and Blue razzmatazz to dazzle the VIP guest with ribbon and giant cake-cutting ceremonies as he sampled the fare on offer alongside compatriot Mary McGinnis, the American Chamber of Commerce Bahrain’s business development consultant.
He was thrilled at the vast quantity of goods on offer from fresh fruits, marvellous meats and juices amongst the thousands of products on display and admitted the trip gave him the chance to bite into some American offerings he had never indulged in before.
Lulu, which describes itself as the destination ‘where the world comes to shop’ proved the point. Chatting to GulfWeekly as he walked around the aisles after munching on a peanut butter sandwich, the ambassador said: “The thing about American cuisine is the regional element that makes it so exciting, often you come to a place like Bahrain and discover food that you’ve never tasted before – we were talking about apple vinegar, for example, which is popular in one part of the country and not so much in another.
“So this is the great thing about being a large continental country, there’s a taste for everybody! We’re an immigrant nation, so we have a variety of styles and flavours – that’s probably the most exciting thing is finding out what’s new to the American palate and what’s on the menu. You can discover parts of America in Bahrain, absolutely.”
Ambassador Justin, a father-of-three who was raised in California, considers ice cream, macaroni and cheese, avocado and nuts as tasteful reminders of his childhood.
The Discover America Festival at Lulu hypermarkets, supermarkets and stores across the kingdom will run until Sunday and includes special promotional offers. There’s a vast selection of fruit and vegetables as well as prime beef succulent steaks amongst the fresh produce on display, and there was a selection of electronic appliances too.
At the entrance of the store in Juffair, Harley Davidson had a stand with motorcycles gleaming brightly and the much-loved American Mission Hospital nurses were busy conducting health checks for mall visitors.
Juzer Rupawala, director of Lulu International Group, who accompanied the ambassador on the tour of the Juffair outlet, said: “We love to give our customers a choice and celebrate the very best of each country under the spotlight.”
Discover America Week 2018 aims to shine the spotlight on one of the strongest pillars of the relationship between the US and Bahrain, namely the deep commercial ties.
“Trade between our two countries is booming,” said ambassador Justin. “The Bahrain - U.S. Free Trade Agreement – one of only two such agreements the United States has with GCC nations – is the most significant symbol of our economic bond.
“Since the Free Trade Agreement came into force in 2006, two-way merchandise trade has more than doubled to $1.9 billion in 2017, benefitting Bahraini and US exporters, and our economies – and it is only getting stronger.
“In the first seven months of 2018, two-way trade increased by 54 per cent over the same period last year. Including services, trade totals over $3 billion annually.
“Bahrain exports a wide range of products to the United States under the agreement, including aluminium, textiles, plastics, fertilisers, chemicals, glass and high performance motor sports helmets, to name just a few.
“The Free Trade Agreement has also brought investment and iconic American companies to Bahrain – companies that deliver good jobs for Bahraini citizens and provide unbeatable products and services for Bahraini consumers.”
