Economy in Bahrain

  • Diversification efforts propel non-oil sector, which now accounts for more than 80% of GDP

    BAHRAIN, 2017/08/18 Bahrain’s commitment to diversifying its economy has been fundamental in making the country resilient against the challenges caused by the drop in oil prices As the initial Gulf national to discover oil in 1932, Bahrain’s fortunes have long been tied to those of hydrocarbons. But with limited reserves compared to its neighbours, it as well grasped the need to diversify its economy beyond the black stuff far before than most.
  • Bahrain eyes SME growth

    BAHRAIN, 2017/04/16 An improved business environment in Bahrain could significantly enhance the economic contribution of smaller-scale enterprises, as local start-ups continue to ink deals with international companies, though weaknesses in key areas risk hindering entrepreneurial development. In its analysis of international entrepreneurship for 2017, published in November, the World Entrepreneurship Development Institute (GEDI) ranked Bahrain 34th out of 137 nations and fifth in the MENA region. The index, published annually, measures the ability of economies to nurture and promote entrepreneurial activities through a series of indicators.
  • When Will the Middle East Settle Down?

    AFGHANISTAN, 2015/06/08 Sigmund Freud suggested that psychoanalysis could convert one’s neurotic misery to everyday unhappiness. Leaping to geopolitics from psychoanalysis leads to the question of at the same time as the Middle East will be converted from massive chaos to everyday turmoil. Thinking about that reminds me of one of my favorite New Yorker cartoons. An significant executive is sitting at his mammoth desk and barking into the phone, “How about at no time? Is at no time any minute at this time enough?” Is “at no time” at the same time as the Middle East settles down? In the case of the Middle East, at no time is probably too long a time. But don’t expect any return to conventional states and normal inter-national relations for the next two decades at the earliest. Additional likely, it will be closer to fifty years.
  • Revised IMF forecasts signal gloom on global economic outlook

    AFGHANISTAN, 2015/01/20 Low oil prices will not provide a sufficient updraught to dispel the clouds hanging over the world economy, the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday. In a sign of its increasing gloom about the medium term economic outlook, the IMF cut its world economic increase forecasts by 0.3 % points for both 2015 and 2016, despite believing cheaper oil represents a “shot in the arm”.
  • Arabtec lifts Dubai, Bahrain’s GFH rises on financing deal

    BAHRAIN, 2014/08/31 Renewed speculation in the shares of Dubai builder Arabtec lifted the emirate's market in early trade on Wednesday, while Bahrain's Gulf Finance House (GFH) rose after announcing a debt refinancing deal. Dubai's index gained 0.7 percent while Arabtec jumped 3.7 percent and dominated trading volume Some investors hope Abu Dhabi state fund Aabar Investments, a major shareholder in the firm, will soon buy at least a part of the 27.90 percent stake held by Arabtec's former chief executive Hasan Ismaik - and will pay a premium to the market price. There has been no concrete news of any deal, but investors are betting that one may be approaching.
  • Bahrain Year in Review 2012

    BAHRAIN, 2013/01/04 While 2012 may have been marked by an ongoing political stalemate and effects from regional and local unrest, Bahrain managed to overcome negative pressures and produce solid increase for 2012. The Kingdom’s evolution in diversifying its economy, anchored by a tested and well regulated financial sector, was viewed as a key contributing factor to Bahrain’s recovery from the 2011 crisis, alongside substantial government investment in major projects.
  • Economy treading carefully 2012-08-22

    BAHRAIN, 2012/08/22 The Kingdom’s economy is making steady evolution towards regaining lost momentum following the world financial crisis and civil unrest in 2011. Nevertheless, the recovery will need to be managed carefully if past losses are to be fully recouped. While increase in 2011 was just under half of that in 2010 – 2.2% compared to 4.5%, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – analysts expect GDP increase to gain momentum in 2012. Forecasts by both local and foreign experts put the rate of expansion at around 3.5%, far better than most Western economies and in line with the IMF’s world outlook.