CAIRO, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Bahraini minister of industry, commerce and tourism and the U.S. secretary of commerce signed on Tuesday a MOU to establish an American trade zone in Bahrain to boost U.S.-Bahraini trade, the Bahraini state news agency reported.

The trade zone will be promoted as a regional center for trade, manufacturing, logistics and distribution between American companies in Bahrain and the rest of the GCC countries, BNA said.

The zone will also allow American companies in Bahrain to operate goods exchange activities and will facilitate exports operations through Khalifa bin Salman port, Bahrain International Airport and King Fahd Causeway or through any other future ports in the Kingdom.

(Reporting by Alaa Swilam Editing by Chris Reese)