A forward-thinking government
Bahrain has established itself as a regional pioneer: demonstrating a commitment to creating an environment for businesses to thrive, a long history of diversification and a progressive outlook.
Invest in Bahrain's optimised businesses with ease
The Government of Bahrain works closely with businesses and regulators to explore opportunities to improve Bahrain's business environment and create an optimised commercial environment. Through this collaboration, Bahrain has taken decisive steps to introduce initiatives that create an efficient and innovative ecosystem that allows businesses to thrive.
In 2019 alone, Bahrain has implemented 15 national reforms and regulations.
Simplification of registration
Liberalisation of business activity
Bahrain has allowed 100% foreign ownership of most activities and is the only Gulf state that allows freedom in all sectors, being a de facto free zone.
Cancellation of minimum capital requirements
Bahrain has lowered minimum capital requirements, which has reduced costs and made it easier to set up and manage a business.
Online Business Registration
Sijilat is an online business registration portal that offers businesses a simple setup with streamlined licensing procedures and reduced registration time.
Expanding Opportunities
Numerous new infrastructure and policy developments, in addition to continuous monitoring and improvement of existing infrastructure, are significantly enhancing investment results in Bahrain
Dedicated 24-hour customs clearance and account managers at Bahrain Logistics Zone have made it an excellent regional centre with a utilisation rate of over 80%. Streamlined procedures have complemented infrastructure development at King Fahd Causeway, where negotiations are underway to build an additional one that will connect Bahrain to Saudi Arabia. Khalifa bin Salman Port has since its recent IPO hosted some of the largest container ships in the region to connect to Bahrain's multimodal hub.
Ongoing reforms are speeding up customs clearance in the Gulf:
33 minutes in the first quarter of 2020.
Truck turnaround time at Khalifa bin Salman Port
<3 hours
Container clearance time
3-24 hours
Customs clearance at King Fahd Causeway
Fastest
Gulf port: Khalifa bin Salman Port.
Openness
Lower visa fees and simplified application procedures have greatly reduced the burden on companies looking to hire foreign nationals and have led to a dramatic increase in the number of visitors to Bahrain.
Bahrain has 83.1 per cent lower visa costs
This significant reduction makes Bahrain more affordable.
4.2 million visitors
to Bahrain in 2021
Availability of investment visas
Available to investors with a temporary commercial registration certificate allowing 90 days of site visits via an online application.
Electronic visas for travellers
209 nationalities are now eligible for e-visas.
Improved financial access
Bahrain was the first in the region to introduce new financial services laws on trusts, investment limited partnerships and protected cellular companies, aimed at introducing more flexible financing structures.
The Trusts Act
The Trusts Act provides a legal framework for the creation of a trust and its obligations. It authorises the creation of trusts for charitable and non-charitable purposes, as well as "purpose trusts". It is a limited liability law that supports greater activity in the financial services sector and offers scope for expansion.
Protected Cellular Companies Act
This Act introduces protected cell companies (PCCs) into collective investment undertakings, private investment undertakings, securitisations and insurance captives. It strengthens investors' rights to separate their private assets from the company managing their chosen fund and reduces transaction costs by allowing investors to create and liquidate cells more efficiently.
Investment Limited Partnerships Law
Bahrain is the first Gulf country to enact the Investment Limited Partnerships Law, offering investors new financial structures to facilitate capital raising and the establishment of financial investment funds.
So, Bahrain's investment market is a platform for growing business ventures both in Bahrain and the MENA region. Bahrain supports companies that seek to raise capital for the future growth of businesses. It also offers simpler financial information admission and disclosure rules, access to global investors, advisory services through advisory firms and a special support programme.
The time to invest is NOW!
Innovative initiatives
The Government of Bahrain is committed to attracting the best of the latest wave of entrepreneurs. Bahrain has launched a number of initiatives to attract and nurture these businesses, with a focus on creating a startup-centric ecosystem with supportive policies, high availability of business resources and advanced ICT networks.
Commitment to Bahrain's future growth
A future that is more favourable to you! Bahrain's long-term economic vision, a deliberate combination of prudence and imagination has resulted in sustainable controlled growth with low inflation and price stability.
Adopting a vision of opportunity! In Bahrain, national development is underpinned by the guiding principles of sustainability, competitiveness and equity. The National Development Strategy is Bahrain's action plan that puts this into practice.
A sensible approach to diversity! As the first Gulf state to break its dependence on oil, Bahrain has become the most diversified economy in the region. In particular, since the 1980s, our country has become the region's leading financial centre.
A clear roadmap for quality and prosperity! Bahrain has established itself as a regional pioneer: demonstrating a commitment to creating an environment for business to thrive, a long history of diversification and a progressive outlook.
Bahrain is an innovation centre that has established itself as a highly diversified economy.
Bahrain has established itself as a regional pioneer: demonstrating a commitment to creating an environment for businesses to thrive, a long history of diversification and a progressive outlook.
Invest in Bahrain's optimised businesses with ease
The Government of Bahrain works closely with businesses and regulators to explore opportunities to improve Bahrain's business environment and create an optimised commercial environment. Through this collaboration, Bahrain has taken decisive steps to introduce initiatives that create an efficient and innovative ecosystem that allows businesses to thrive.
In 2019 alone, Bahrain has implemented 15 national reforms and regulations.
Simplification of registration
Liberalisation of business activity
Bahrain has allowed 100% foreign ownership of most activities and is the only Gulf state that allows freedom in all sectors, being a de facto free zone.
Cancellation of minimum capital requirements
Bahrain has lowered minimum capital requirements, which has reduced costs and made it easier to set up and manage a business.
Online Business Registration
Sijilat is an online business registration portal that offers businesses a simple setup with streamlined licensing procedures and reduced registration time.
Expanding Opportunities
Numerous new infrastructure and policy developments, in addition to continuous monitoring and improvement of existing infrastructure, are significantly enhancing investment results in Bahrain
Dedicated 24-hour customs clearance and account managers at Bahrain Logistics Zone have made it an excellent regional centre with a utilisation rate of over 80%. Streamlined procedures have complemented infrastructure development at King Fahd Causeway, where negotiations are underway to build an additional one that will connect Bahrain to Saudi Arabia. Khalifa bin Salman Port has since its recent IPO hosted some of the largest container ships in the region to connect to Bahrain's multimodal hub.
Ongoing reforms are speeding up customs clearance in the Gulf:
33 minutes in the first quarter of 2020.
Truck turnaround time at Khalifa bin Salman Port
<3 hours
Container clearance time
3-24 hours
Customs clearance at King Fahd Causeway
Fastest
Gulf port: Khalifa bin Salman Port.
Openness
Lower visa fees and simplified application procedures have greatly reduced the burden on companies looking to hire foreign nationals and have led to a dramatic increase in the number of visitors to Bahrain.
Bahrain has 83.1 per cent lower visa costs
This significant reduction makes Bahrain more affordable.
4.2 million visitors
to Bahrain in 2021
Availability of investment visas
Available to investors with a temporary commercial registration certificate allowing 90 days of site visits via an online application.
Electronic visas for travellers
209 nationalities are now eligible for e-visas.
Improved financial access
Bahrain was the first in the region to introduce new financial services laws on trusts, investment limited partnerships and protected cellular companies, aimed at introducing more flexible financing structures.
The Trusts Act
The Trusts Act provides a legal framework for the creation of a trust and its obligations. It authorises the creation of trusts for charitable and non-charitable purposes, as well as "purpose trusts". It is a limited liability law that supports greater activity in the financial services sector and offers scope for expansion.
Protected Cellular Companies Act
This Act introduces protected cell companies (PCCs) into collective investment undertakings, private investment undertakings, securitisations and insurance captives. It strengthens investors' rights to separate their private assets from the company managing their chosen fund and reduces transaction costs by allowing investors to create and liquidate cells more efficiently.
Investment Limited Partnerships Law
Bahrain is the first Gulf country to enact the Investment Limited Partnerships Law, offering investors new financial structures to facilitate capital raising and the establishment of financial investment funds.
So, Bahrain's investment market is a platform for growing business ventures both in Bahrain and the MENA region. Bahrain supports companies that seek to raise capital for the future growth of businesses. It also offers simpler financial information admission and disclosure rules, access to global investors, advisory services through advisory firms and a special support programme.
The time to invest is NOW!
Innovative initiatives
The Government of Bahrain is committed to attracting the best of the latest wave of entrepreneurs. Bahrain has launched a number of initiatives to attract and nurture these businesses, with a focus on creating a startup-centric ecosystem with supportive policies, high availability of business resources and advanced ICT networks.
Commitment to Bahrain's future growth
A future that is more favourable to you! Bahrain's long-term economic vision, a deliberate combination of prudence and imagination has resulted in sustainable controlled growth with low inflation and price stability.
Adopting a vision of opportunity! In Bahrain, national development is underpinned by the guiding principles of sustainability, competitiveness and equity. The National Development Strategy is Bahrain's action plan that puts this into practice.
A sensible approach to diversity! As the first Gulf state to break its dependence on oil, Bahrain has become the most diversified economy in the region. In particular, since the 1980s, our country has become the region's leading financial centre.
A clear roadmap for quality and prosperity! Bahrain has established itself as a regional pioneer: demonstrating a commitment to creating an environment for business to thrive, a long history of diversification and a progressive outlook.
Bahrain is an innovation centre that has established itself as a highly diversified economy.