While Bahrain has pushed successfully to become one of the most diversified economies in the Gulf region, petroleum products still make up a significant share of the country’s total exports: 50% of all exports in 2016, according to data from the UN International Trade Statistics Database and the World Bank. In addition, the drive to establish a flourishing industrial base, coupled with favourable…
A low oil price environment has presented a number of challenges for Bahrain’s vibrant and fiercely competitive insurance sector. Downward pressure on premiums and a dearth of underwriting opportunities across the region have negatively affected the bottom lines of most Manama-based insurers. However, new opportunities in areas such as health care insurance and the extension of compulsory cover to…
Reduced oil prices and fiscal austerity measures being carried out by governments across the GCC have resulted in a challenging environment for Bahrain’s sharia-compliant financial institutions. The competitive domestic market – home to the largest concentration of Islamic financial institutions in the Middle East – has reacted to adverse conditions, with what appears to be the beginning of a…
Despite a challenging investment environment, Bahrain’s exchange showed a relatively strong performance in 2017, with index gains in most sectors. Macroeconomic challenges remain in 2018, but new investment instruments and some significant changes to the exchange’s infrastructure are helping it to maintain its status as one of the most progressively regulated markets it the region – a key asset…
Bahrain’s reputation as a regional financial centre rests in part on the early flourishing of its banking industry. The country’s first modern bank was established nearly 100 years ago following an agreement between the kingdom’s ruler at the time, Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, and the UK-owned and Indian-headquartered Oriental Bank. As Bahrain’s banking sector completes its third full year…
The kingdom of Bahrain, renowned for its open markets and one of the most vibrant financial industries in the region, has faced economic headwinds in recent years. Lower oil prices have affected the many corporates that have chosen Manama as a base for their regional operations, and a stubborn fiscal deficit has resulted in a record-high level of public debt. The government has responded with a process…
For much of its history Bahrain was the name for the eastern coast of Arabia. Bahrain means “two seas” in Arabic, and although it is unclear which two seas the name refers to, it has recently come to identify the 33 natural islands of the Awal archipelago. The first notable inhabitants of the region were the Dilmun civilisation, approximately 6000 years ago, but throughout history its geographically…
OBG Business Barometer: Bahrain CEO Survey Copyright (c). All rights reserved. This survey has been designed to assess business sentiment amongst business leaders (Chief Executives or equivalent) and their outlook for the next 12 months. Unlike many surveys, the OBG Business Barometer is conducted by OBG staff on a face-to-face basis, across the full range of industries, company sizes and…
This year’s event will be held under the banner “Promoting Safe Operations in Industry”. It is widely recognised that organisations must develop their technical safety journey, focusing on their plant, safety, reliability and human interfaces, in order to achieve the target of no surprises and zero accidents. A focus on safety is the number one priority for companies, with operators, manufacturers,…
Comprising a conference and exhibition, this year’s event will explore the theme of Operational Excellence. It will set out to drive industry players to even greater levels of operational excellence, enabling companies to improve and innovate in the areas of ‘people’, ‘process’, ‘assets’ and ‘technology’. Key conference topics will include: - Effective…
