Capital Markets
From The Report: Bahrain 2019
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Despite macroeconomic challenges, the kingdom’s stock market has performed reasonably well over the past two years. Although listings activity has been weak recently, developments such as the introduction of a real estate investment trust in 2017 and the initial public offering of a local logistics operator in 2018 bode well for the market. A range of reforms being undertaken by the bourse, including new listing rules and plans for new products, are set to further support market liquidity and increase the exchange’s attractiveness.

This chapter contains an interview with Sheikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, CEO, Bahrain Bourse.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Building interest: Regulatory efforts are modernising accessibility, enhancing trade structure and expanding opportunities
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Despite macroeconomic challenges facing Bahrain, the kingdom’s stock market has performed reasonably well over the past two years. Although listings activity has been weak recently, developments such as the introduction of a real estate investment trust (REIT) in 2017 and the initial public offering (IPO) of a local logistics operator in 2018 bode well for the market. A range of reforms being undertaken by the bourse, including new listing rules and plans for new products, are set to further…

Interview

Early days: Sheikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, CEO, Bahrain Bourse (BHB), on new services being launched to boost participation
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Interview: Sheikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa Which efforts has BHB undertaken in order to widen retail investor participation? SHEIKH KHALIFA BIN EBRAHIM AL KHALIFA: In terms of widening investor participation, we have recently announced the rollout of a new service called Bahrain Trade, which enables individuals holding retail accounts with select financial institutions to trade directly on BHB via an online broker platform. We have partnered with two licensed brokers to offer this service,…

Analysis

Stirring up sales: New market offerings encourage activity in the sector
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The Bahrain Bourse (BHB) has seen a slowdown in initial public offerings (IPOs) and equity listings over the past decade. However, in 2017 the kingdom launched its first real estate investment trust (REIT), which was followed by the successful completion of an IPO in late 2018. As of early 2019 discussions for a second REIT were under way, while several firms were seeking listings on the Bahrain Investment Market (BIM), an alternative board for growth-stage companies. Various reforms being…

Analysis

State-owed: Along with the rest of the GCC, the local debt market has seen stronger performance in recent years
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The Bahrain Bourse is home to two debt boards, one for longer-term government and corporate bonds and sukuk (Islamic bonds), and another for short-term Treasury bills issued by the government. There are 15 debt instruments listed on the bond and sukuk market, comprising 10 conventional bonds and five sukuk. Four listings took place in 2018, when the total value of bonds on the exchange stood at $7.34bn. Government Bonds Of the 15 bonds listed, 13 are government issues, the newest of which…