Capital Markets
From The Report: Bahrain 2020
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Despite facing challenging macroeconomic headwinds, in addition to illiquidity and limited levels of free-floating shares, Bahrain’s capital markets have been among the best-performing in the GCC in recent years. Indeed, the Bahrain All Share Index reached a nine-year high in mid-2019. Benefitting from lively trading activity, increasing market capitalisation and an expanding debt market, Bahrain’s capital markets are set for a strong performance in 2020. Although illiquidity and sluggish macroeconomic growth continue to pose a challenge, the Bahrain Bourse’s proactive and progressive approach to regulatory reform and digital innovation will help the bourse maintain its competitive edge against a backdrop of rising regional competition. This chapter contains an interview with Sheikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, CEO, Bahrain Bourse.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Competitive edge: Ongoing efforts to expand the debt market, and a commitment to reform and digital innovation, support near-term growth
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Despite facing challenging macroeconomic headwinds, in addition to illiquidity and limited levels of free-floating shares, Bahrain’s capital markets have been among the best-performing in the GCC in recent years. Indeed, the Bahrain All Share Index (BASI) reached a nine-year high in mid-2019, while the initial public offering (IPO) of a port operator in late 2018 was deemed the most successful listing in a decade. Moreover, Bahrain Bourse (BHB) stakeholders have made steady progress on…

Interview

Wider view: Sheikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, CEO, Bahrain Bourse, on technological disruption and the convergence of regional markets
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Interview:Sheikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa What macroeconomic scenarios are most likely to impact Bahrain Bourse’s performance in the future? SHEIKH KHALIFA BIN EBRAHIM AL KHALIFA: Soon there will be greater cooperation between exchanges in the GCC. Some of the benefits of closer engagement are better time and resource management, and reducing barriers to entry. We are transforming passporting regulations, which will enable all regional brokers access to regional jurisdictions. Cutting…

Analysis

Secure solutions: New financial technology regulations aim to strengthen the market against cybersecurity breaches
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In keeping with its aim to transform the kingdom into a regional hub for financial technology (fintech), the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has undertaken several important regulatory reforms aimed at attracting new cryptocurrency and blockchain companies. Cryptocurrency development is expected to keep Bahrain at the forefront of regional fintech development; Bahrain was the first country in the Middle East to establish a central bank-licensed cryptocurrency exchange. However, concerns regarding…