A delegation of Customs officials from the Kingdom of Bahrain was in Washington, DC the week of September 28, 2009, participating in consultations with experts from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and the private sector. These consultations were part of a multi-step technical assistance program that the U.S. government is providing for Bahrain in support of the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement. The focus of this U.S. visit was the implementation of customs administration under the free trade agreement and the verification and release of goods claiming preferential treatment.