New Jersey Economic Mission Trip to Gulf Arab States Daily Recap – April 28 & 29

Bahrain — Governor Phil Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and the New Jersey delegation continued Choose New Jersey’s seven-day Governor-led economic mission in Bahrain today. The day’s events and meetings continued a commitment to developing cultural understanding, meeting with U.S. military personnel, and developing economic partnerships with key business leaders in Bahrain.

Below are photos and additional details from the day’s events in Bahrain:

Governor Murphy Holds Press Roundtable when the New Jersey delegation arrives in Bahrain

Governor Murphy held a press roundtable covering business, technology, trade, and the economy with international and local journalists at U.S.- and Bahrain-based publications, including Alayam, Gulf Daily News, The Media Line, Al Bilad, and 24/7.

Governor Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and the New Jersey Delegation Visit the House of Ten Commandments, also called the Bahrain Synagogue, with Bahrain’s former Ambassador to the United States Houda Nonoo

Governor Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and members of the New Jersey delegation visited the House of Ten Commandments – the synagogue in Bahrain and the oldest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – accompanied by Bahrain’s former Ambassador to the United States H.E. Houda Nonoo, the first Jewish person to be appointed an Ambassador from an Arab country and the third woman to be appointed an Ambassador from Bahrain, and H.E. Nancy Khedouri, Member of the Shura Council. The synagogue represents Bahrain’s longstanding commitment to religious coexistence and preservation of its rich cultural and religious heritage. The visit also underscored shared values of diversity and inclusion between Bahrain and New Jersey.

Governor Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and the Choose New Jersey Delegation Visit the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet Headquarters and Meet with New Jersey Service Members

Governor Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and members of the New Jersey delegation visited the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain, where they met with Captain Courtney M. Minetree, U.S. Navy, Chief of Staff. The visit included a guided tour of the base, a briefing on regional security efforts and U.S.-Bahrain military cooperation, and an onboard tour of a U.S. Navy vessel led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). The Governor and delegation also had the opportunity to have lunch with U.S. Navy sailors from New Jersey stationed in Bahrain.

Governor Murphy Announces Memorandum of Understanding Signing Between the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and Masari Association at Investcorp Roundtable with Mohammed Alardhi, Executive Chairman of Investcorp, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and the New Jersey Delegation

Governor Murphy witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the New Jersey Economic Development Association and Masari Association, a civil youth association under the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Ministry of Youth Affairs. Signed by Tim Sullivan, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and Bassam Abdulrahman al Tattan, the Chairman of the Masari Association, the agreement creates internship opportunities in New Jersey for highly-skilled Bahraini youth and strengthens the long-term economic and cultural connections between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of New Jersey.

First Lady Tammy Murphy visits the American Mission Hospital in Manama

First Lady Tammy Murphy visited the American Mission Hospital in Manama, where she highlighted the longstanding ties between New Jersey and Bahrain, particularly in the areas of health and education. During her tour of the over 120-year-old institution founded by missionaries from New Brunswick Theological Seminary, she was able to learn firsthand about their community-centered approach to healthcare.