Parliament has launched a major initiative to attract some of the biggest manufacturers of American pop culture collectibles, including producers of Barbie, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers and more, in a strategic bid to diversify the kingdom’s industrial base and position itself as the regional hub for branded toy and merchandise production.
The campaign is being spearheaded by the Strategic Thinking Bloc, led by MP Ahmed Al Salloom, who also chairs the Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee.
“We have a bold vision to bring in the world’s most beloved pop culture brands to manufacture their products right here in Bahrain,” said Mr Al Salloom in an exclusive interview with the GDN.
“We are reaching out to major American players like Mattel, Hasbro, Funko and Paramount – companies that have shaped childhoods and global entertainment for decades.
“Bahrain has already proven itself as a capable industrial hub with multinationals like Mondelez International producing Oreo, Cadbury and Tuc here.
“Our next step is to create value-added manufacturing around global icons like Barbie, Power Rangers and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”
According to Mr Al Salloom, the kingdom’s strategic geographic location, competitive industrial zones, and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States make it an ideal candidate for manufacturing goods aimed at both regional and global markets.
“We have world-class infrastructure, attractive investment conditions and a highly trainable local workforce,” he added.
“And thanks to the FTA, products made in Bahrain can enter the US market easier and that’s a huge selling point.”
The initiative, he says, would be seen not just as a potential economic windfall for Bahrain, but also as a model for regional industrial diversification.
“This is an untapped opportunity not just for Bahrain, but for the entire Gulf and MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region,” Mr Al Salloom added.
Mr Al Salloom
“With the right partnerships, Bahrain can become the heart of pop culture manufacturing in the Middle East.”
The proposal is currently being studied by Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee, which is co-ordinating with the Industry and Commerce Ministry, Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry, the Economic Development Board and the Bahrain Chamber to conduct a full feasibility review.
Meetings with American trade representatives and industry players are also expected in the coming months, Mr Al Salloom said.
According to the committee’s internal plans, key focus areas include identifying special industrial zones, launching potential incentives and workforce training programmes, and fast-tracking licensing procedures for qualifying firms.
“We’re not just inviting investment, we are preparing a full ecosystem,” said Mr Al Salloom.
“We want to create a self-sustaining, export-ready supply chain that supports everything from raw materials to packaging and distribution.”
MP Khalid Bu Onk, Strategic Thinking Bloc’s official spokesman, said the proposal ties directly with Bahrain’s broader national economic goals.
Mr Bu Onk
“This is a visionary step that connects our youth, economy and global culture,” said Mr Bu Onk.
“Imagine Barbie dolls made in Bahrain, or Ninja Turtles rolling out of a factory in Hidd. These are powerful symbols with real economic impact.”
Mr Bu Onk stressed that the initiative ‘isn’t just about global brands, it’s also about developing local capacity’.
“By bringing these factories here, we create jobs, knowledge transfer and potential partnerships for Bahraini small and medium enterprises,” he explained.
“This is how we ensure that global investment becomes national growth.”
This isn’t the first time Strategic Thinking Bloc has advocated for expanding Bahrain’s manufacturing landscape.
Earlier this year, the bloc put forward a proposal to attract baby care product manufacturers, highlighting the fast-growing demand for infant goods in the GCC.
“We are strategically aligning Bahrain with fast-growing sectors that also bring societal benefits,” said Mr Bu Onk.
“From baby care to entertainment merchandise, our goal is to turn Bahrain into a smart, diverse industrial hub.”
The push to attract American pop culture manufacturing firms includes some of the most iconic names in global media and merchandise, particularly Mattel (known for Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price and WWE merchandise); Hasbro (Creators of Monopoly, My Little Pony, Power Rangers, and Nerf); Funko (Famous for its ‘Pop!’ bobblehead collectibles representing celebrities, film characters, and sports stars); and Paramount Global (Owner of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, SpongeBob SquarePants and Nickelodeon merchandise).
The bloc, through the parliamentary committee, is preparing letters of invitation and investment concept papers aimed at these companies, showcasing Bahrain’s market advantages.
Over the coming weeks, the financial and economic affairs committee is expected to present a full report to Parliament, including preliminary interest from American companies, proposed industrial zones and legal recommendations.
“This is not just about factories, this is about inspiration,” said Mr Bu Onk.
“We want our children to grow up seeing their favourite characters being made in their own country. It shows them what’s possible.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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