The Kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago of low lying islands located in the Arabian Gulf off the Eastern shore of Saudi Arabia. Its name stems from the Arabic for “two seas”- reflecting its unique natural combination of freshwater springs amongst salty sea beds.
Perhaps most well-known for its history of civilizations that dates back more than 5,000 years, Bahrain has achieved an impressive status as a progressive powerhouse in the region in terms of economy, vision and lifestyle.
Strategically located in the centre of ancient trade routes between the East and the West, Bahrain has always been immersed in trade and commerce, and its people have grown accustomed to cultural diversification. In the early 1900s, Bahrain held a preeminent position as the hub for the international pearl trade, known as a hotbed for cultivating pearls of the highest quality. The precious pearl became the main driver for Bahrain’s economic growth for several decades, bringing merchants from far and wide to this small island. This exposure was a critical factor in enabling Bahrain’s progression, encouraging a culture of entrepreneurship, openness and learning. Innovation fostered vision, and today, while Bahrain is not the wealthiest amongst its neighbors, this vision has translated into an economy that is one of the most diverse in the region, a community that is one of the highest educated in the region, and a lifestyle renowned for its ease.
Bahrain is unique in the Middle East. Along with a stable economic climate and competitive costs, you will find a highly business friendly culture that welcomes foreign investment.
International rankings and growth statistics allude to Bahrain’s leading position as an investment destination. According to the 2009 Enabling Trade Index published by the World Economic Forum, Bahrain ranked 24th out of 121 economies, a 13-place improvement in ranking from the previous year. As a measure of four key enablers: market access, border administration, transport and communication infrastructure and the business environment, this index attests to Bahrain’s accommodative investment climate.
