Bahrain’s sharia-compliant financial institutions enter 2017 after weathering the tumultuous economic environment and changing regulatory landscape of the previous year. Despite the challenges, the kingdom’s Islamic banks continue to expand in the domestic market and beyond, while activity in the newly reinforced sharia-compliant insurance sector is well positioned to continue along a trajectory…
The region’s exchanges have operated in adverse economic conditions since the decline of oil prices began in the second half of 2014, and the Bahrain Bourse is no exception. However, the apparent stabilisation of global oil prices in 2016 has brought a similar firming of the main index and, after a year of shrinking stock prices, some increasingly attractive valuations. The larger story of 2016,…
Bahrain’s banking sector has managed two years of a challenging low oil-price environment without seeing significant deterioration in its financial stability indicators. Conventional lenders and Islamic financiers operating within the kingdom’s famously robust regulatory framework have also managed to maintain profitability throughout this period thanks to efficiency drives and continued government…
The kingdom of Bahrain has thrived as one of the Gulf’s financial centres for decades. Despite increasing competition from emerging financial centres in the region, its advanced regulatory framework, educated workforce and relatively low-cost environment means that it remains an attractive platform for companies engaging with the wider GCC and beyond. The recent decline in oil prices, however, serves…
The kingdom of Bahrain has been ruled as a constitutional monarchy since 2002 under the leadership of Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The country pioneered the Middle East’s oil production in 1932, thus establishing the region’s initial framework for the petroleum industry. The energy sector remains a pillar of the kingdom’s economy, accounting for the bulk of government revenues but a shrinking…
The 4th Middle East Prospect Exhibition (MEPEX 2017) and Networking will be held in tandem with the 20th Middle East Oil & Gas Show and Conference (MEOS 2017). With specific focus on the unexplored oil and gas reserves in the Middle East and future prospects for regional development, MEPEX 2017 will unite leading exploration and production (E&P) companies and energy capital under one…
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 they are willing to share their local customs and traditions with those who are keen to learn. ETIQUETTE: Although Bahrain has a liberal social atmosphere and a large expatriate community, one should remain considerate of local sensitivities.…
Bahrain Defence Force +973 17 653 333 Cabinet Affairs +973 17 223 366 Education +973 17 278 999 Finance +973 17 575 000 Foreign Affairs +973 17 227 555 Health +973 17 288 888 Housing +973 17 533 000 Industry, Commerce & Tourism. +973 17 574 777 Information Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs +973 17 871 111 Interior +973 17 572 222 Justice, Islamic Affairs & Awqaf +973 17 513 000 Labour…
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An improved business environment in Bahrain could significantly enhance the economic contribution of smaller-scale enterprises, as local start-ups continue to ink deals with international companies, though weaknesses in key areas risk hindering entrepreneurial development. In its analysis of international entrepreneurship for 2017, published in November, the Global Entrepreneurship Development Institute…
