Bahrain Permanent Virtual Exhibition and Business Directory

The Kingdom of Bahrain is one of the only Gulf States whose economy isn't entirely dependent on oil. This group of 33 islands off the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia is a banking and financial services haven and has built a reputation as the Singapore of the Gulf and Middle East.

A longtime ally of the United States and home to the Fifth Fleet of the American Navy, Bahrain was the first Gulf State to enter into a free trade agreement with the USA.

Bahrain companies participate in the country's key industries, including aluminum smelting, banking (Islamic and offshore), fertilizers, insurance, iron pelletization, petroleum processing and refining, ship repair and tourism – petroleum production and refining represent over 60% of Bahraini exports, 70% of its government's revenue, and 11% of GDP. Other major contributors to GDP are aluminum production (the country's second most significant export after oil), construction projects, and financial services.

Doing Business in Bahrain

Facing declining oil reserves (some analysts claim oil supplies will run dry in 2010), Bahrain has increasingly turned to petroleum processing and refining, and also diversified into other sectors – most notably, the Kingdom has transformed itself into an international banking centre. Read Full Article

Investing in Bahrain

Bahrain is one of the most diversified economies in the Persian Gulf. Highly developed communication and transport facilities make Bahrain home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. As part of its diversification plans, Bahrain implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US in August 2006, the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state. Bahrain's economy, however, continues to depend heavily on oil. Read Full Article