The implementation ofsocial distancing measures in Bahrain has resulted in a widespread uptake of e-learning solutions, in order to minimise disruption to educational programmes. Following the first reported case on February 21, the government made the decision to close all educational institutions, including public and private schools, universities and nurseries, on February 25. Initially…
Simultaneously strengthening its industrial potential and its foreign commercial ties, Bahrain has signed a series of deals with Italian firms in the energy and manufacturing sectors. At a business event in Rome organised by the Bahrain Economic Development Board in early February, local companies signed six memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Italian firms worth a total of €330m. Aluminium…
National Character While Bahrainis are interested in and open to foreign cultures, they are also very proud of their own identity, history and culture, and are willing to share their local customs and traditions with those who are interested to learn. Dress For foreign men, a suit and tie is the usual attire for meetings, and darker colours are preferred. Jackets are not always necessary in all…
Oxford Business Group (OBG) began its CEO Survey in 2016 with the aim of giving our clients a handle on sentiment in the various markets we cover. Sentiment is of course intangible, but it is an all-important factor in the decisions business people and investors make when they weigh up their risk appetite. In turn, sentiment informs the level of confidence with which they view a market. It is also…
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Although it is one of the most diversified economies in the GCC, Bahrain did not emerge unscathed from the 2014 oil price crash. Since then, the country has worked to broaden state revenue streams, implementing new fiscal measures to balance the budget, such as the introduction of a 5% value-added tax in January 2019 and the lowering of state subsidies. Nevertheless, large-scale infrastructure pro
In keeping with its aim to transform the kingdom into a regional hub for financial technology (fintech), the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has undertaken several important regulatory reforms aimed at attracting new cryptocurrency and blockchain companies. Cryptocurrency development is expected to keep Bahrain at the forefront of regional fintech development; Bahrain was the first country in…
