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Analysis

Bahraini residence permit to boost growth in real estate sector
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With new high-end villas and apartments coming on the market, filling them has been a challenge for Bahrain’s realtors, as the Gulf’s luxury segment is highly competitive. However, the kingdom’s new regulations regarding eligibility for long-term residency for foreign nationals are expected to boost Bahrain’s appeal to potential investors. In June 2023 the government issued an edict announcing…

Analysis

Urban cooling technologies help mitigate climate change impacts
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With temperatures in cities set to rise in the coming decades, many public and private players in emerging markets are looking to tackle the challenge of extreme heat through technology, sustainable building techniques and the expansion of urban green spaces. Heat Consequences The Covid-19 pandemic helped spur the growth of smart cities, with governments tapping into data-collection infrastructure…

Analysis

Bahrain focuses on workforce readiness and private sector engagement
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Bahrain’s commitment to bridging the skills gap between education and the labour market is evident in various national policies. Addressing companies’ historical preference for expatriate workers, the kingdom aims to boost employability among secondary and tertiary students. The initiatives helping raise workforce readiness include the 2021 Economic Recovery Plan; the National Labour Market Plan…

Analysis

Higher education developments to boost patent filing
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International patent filing maintained a steady pace in 2023 compared to previous years, with higher education playinga role in driving innovation and expanding international practices regarding intellectual property (IP). The UNWorld Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Statistics Database reported in its March 2024 Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) review that in 2023, 272,600 international…

Overview

Transport infrastructure projects position Bahrain as regional hub
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Bahrain’s transport sector is pivotal in the island kingdom’s economic landscape, driving trade and commerce, logistical connectivity and tourism growth. The strategic location of Bahrain in the heart of the GCC has historically positioned the country as a critical hub for regional trade. In 2023 the sector witnessed significant development, bolstered by robust government support, rising private…

Overview

Bahrain infrastructure construction prime for investment
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Bahrain’s construction and real estate sectors have become a major focus in the kingdom’s drive to diversify its economy. The industries are bouncing back strongly from a number of challenges in recent years, including the Covid-19 pandemic-related slowdown, supply chain disruptions and cost volatility. Global conflict and uncertainties have also affected the market, while inflation and higher…

Overview

Smart industry initiatives in Bahrain support local businesses
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While oil and gas may be the first industry that many people associate with the Gulf, the non-oil sector is by far the most dominant component of Bahrain’s economy. In 2023 the non-oil sector was responsible for a record 83.9% of the kingdom’s GDP, and industry accounted for around 14% of the overall economy that year. This category stretches from the giant aluminium plants of Aluminium Bahrain…

Overview

Bahraini government initiatives to enhance ICT sector competitiveness
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In addition to driving economic diversification and innovation, Bahrain’s expanding ICT sector is indicative of the country’s commitment to making its economy more competitive globally. With a young, tech-savvy population, and a government dedicated to investing in digital infrastructure and upskilling local talent, Bahrain has become an attractive location for technology start-ups, drawing in…

Overview

Bahrain's digital innovation improves education and health care outcomes
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The health care and education systems in Bahrain have improved significantly over the last six decades. The kingdom brought forth basic compulsory education in 1919 and a health-for-all policy in 1959, which expanded the two sectors substantially. The government introduced a universal health insurance scheme, set to be launched in early 2025, which will further extend coverage and support service improvements.…

Overview

Bahrain's tax landscape matures with corporate income tax and e-invoicing updates
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Bahrain remained a tax-free jurisdiction until 2017, when the kingdom introduced excise tax – followed by the implementation of value-added tax (VAT) two years later. The country’s tax landscape continues to evolve, with a number of other notable tax and reporting regulations launched in recent years. Among these, a domestic minimum top-up tax (DMTT) law will take effect for Bahrain entities that…