Country Profile
From The Report: Bahrain 2018
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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 strategic location has attracted the attention of numerous empires, including the Persians, Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Arabs, Portuguese and British. In 1932 Bahrain pioneered oil production in the Middle East, and in so doing established the region’s initial framework for the petroleum industry. The new resource enabled Bahrain to modernise its economy by moving beyond traditional industries such as pearl diving and fishing. At an early stage the kingdom sought to diversify its economy, and established itself as a leading regional financial centre in the 1970s and 1980s.

This chapter contains a viewpoint from King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

A growing kingdom: The island nation continues to evolve through diversification
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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. History The first notable inhabitants of the region were the Dilmun civilisation, approximately 6000 years ago, but throughout history its geographically strategic location has attracted the attention of numerous empires, including…

Viewpoint

Cooperation and coordination: King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, on the vital role regional bodies play in maintaining world peace and prosperity
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Viewpoint:King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa We share historic and deep-rooted relations with the countries in this region. These ties are based on shared interests, values, and a legacy that creates great momentum and motivates us to push forward to new phases of progress. This togetherness is vitally important if we are to achieve world security and peace, which is important in light of the rapid developments in the region and the complex crises facing the world. This makes consultations between…

Analysis

Private enterprise: Infrastructure investment to fuel development goals
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Bahrain has moved forward with plans to improve national infrastructure as part of its economic development strategy, announcing a series of tenders relating to the upgrade and expansion of the country’s airport. MODERNISATION: In early 2018 Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) issued concessions for works related to airport security at Bahrain International Airport (BIA), including the construction of a new perimeter fence and installation of improved CCTV and lighting facilities. At the same…