Capital Markets
From The Report: Bahrain 2013
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Efforts to boost trading in Bahrain have been focused on corporate structuring, through a plan that includes overhauled regulation and a restructuring of the Bahrain Bourse to allow it to act with greater speed and flexibility. Initial public offerings are set to increase as moves toward privatisation continue, while small and medium-sized enterprises are on course to benefit from new listing procedures such as increased use of online trading and improved regulation and trading rules for the bourse.

This chapter includes an interview with Fouad Rashid, Director, Bahrain Bourse.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Opportunity-risk ratio: Steadily developing the exchange for long-term returns
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In many respects, Bahrain’s capital markets offer the variety and depth expected for a financial sector of its type. There are two securities exchanges, a local funds industry growing in size and sophistication, and liquidity management tools in the form of government-debt securities, which are issued on a regular basis. In recent years, the kingdom has attracted more specialised boutique investment firms and funds, and the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has introduced new regulations and approaches. As is often the case in the Gulf, however, the stock market in particular – but securities overall – face a liquidity challenge. The region…

Interview

OBG talks to Fouad Rashid, Director, Bahrain Bourse (BHB)
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Interview:Fouad Rashid What are the key market trends for the next 18 months, and what other developments look likely? FOUAD RASHID: Trading data for the first quarter of 2013 looks encouraging when compared to the same period of 2012. The value of shares traded rose by some 149%, overall volume went up by 234% and the number of trades jumped by 49%. The Bahrain All Share Index grew by 2.44% compared to its closing at the end of 2012, and the market capitalisation stood at around $16bn. We…

Interview

OBG talks to Fouad Rashid, Director, Bahrain Bourse (BHB)
OBG
plus

Interview:Fouad Rashid What are the key market trends for the next 18 months, and what other developments look likely? FOUAD RASHID: Trading data for the first quarter of 2013 looks encouraging when compared to the same period of 2012. The value of shares traded rose by some 149%, overall volume went up by 234% and the number of trades jumped by 49%. The Bahrain All Share Index grew by 2.44% compared to its closing at the end of 2012, and the market capitalisation stood at around $16bn. We…

Analysis

Developing a niche: A new bourse has the potential to boost liquidity
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For most of the world’s large securities markets, increasing trading volume and value – liquidity – is a priority. In Bahrain, where more activity in securities trading could be a valued complement to the capital markets services and capacities already in place, officials are in the midst of a multi-pronged strategy to make it happen. This includes the introduction of a second bourse to complement the government-owned one, changes to trading rules, improved regulations and market rules, and the potential opening up of membership in the exchange. For the future, ideas include a specialised offering to entire small and medium-sized enterprises…