Capital Markets
From The Report: Bahrain 2022
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Bahrain’s capital markets have faced headwinds in recent years, as the world has confronted the Covid-19 pandemic, volatility in commodity markets and the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite these challenges, the kingdom continues to exercise an important influence on regional capital markets, attract international investors and provide a sound platform for listed companies to raise funds. As part of the kingdom’s recovery efforts, the capital markets are courting renewed foreign interest, while a return to domestic economic growth and an enhanced project pipeline also bode well for robust gains in the years ahead.

This chapter contains an interview with Sheikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, CEO, Bahrain Bourse.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Budding growth: The sector continues to bounce back from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on global markets
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Bahrain’s capital markets have navigated challenging times in recent years, as the world has faced the Covid-19 pandemic, high volatility in energy markets and the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite these challenges, the kingdom continues to exercise an important influence on regional capital markets, attract investors and provide a sound platform for listed companies to raise funds. Indeed, there have seen successful bond issuances – both conventional and sukuk (Islamic bonds)…

Interview

Five-year plan: Sheikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, CEO, Bahrain Bourse, on how capital markets and the wider economy can grow together
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Interview:Sheikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa What are the most significant aspects of Bahrain’s Economic Recovery Plan for capital markets? SHEIKHKHALIFA BIN EBRAHIM ALKHALIFA: The Economic Recovery Plan is very broad, and each pillar of the strategy complements other objectives and targets. The plan focuses on developing large infrastructure projects; enhancing the efficiency of commercial procedures; achieving fiscal sustainability and economic stability; and developing…

Analysis

Growth opportunities: An underutilised market offers the key to unlocking funding for the kingdom’s small and medium-sized players
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Launched in 2017, the Bahrain Investment Market (BIM) has so far secured one listing. However, with expectations that the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic may now be over, the financial authorities are intent on breathing new life into the initiative as a means of promoting rapid growth of high-potential small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Vibrant Ecosystem The BIM provides an alternative, less-regulated source of financing for growth companies that require support before going public on Bahrain…

Analysis

Greenlighting bonds: Markets around the globe are increasingly issuing green and social bonds in an effort to support sustainable growth
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Alongside significant political efforts to speed up the energy transition, 2021 was a record-breaking year for green finance, as governments, international institutions and lenders alike sought to support the shift towards renewables. This mirrored developments in generation: new renewable energy capacity reached an all-time high of 290 GW in 2021. Meanwhile, the issuance of green bonds – financial instruments that fund environmentally sustainable projects – was expected to hit a new record of…