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Financial Services Industry

Bahrain offers opportunities across all major aspects of finance, from banking and asset wealth management, to FinTech, insurance and Islamic finance. Welcome to Business Friendly Bahrain.

The GCC’s most established financial centre

The GCC’s acknowledged financial capital, Bahrain has built a financial services sector comprising around 400 local, regional and global institutions.

A regional financial services hub in Bahrain will put you at the centre of a growing concentration of wealth. The regional market is valued at USD 1.5 trillion and Bahrain finance companies are at the focal point of the GCC as well as the wider MENA region. Whether you are  a financial services, banking, or exchange company, Bahrain’s progressive regulatory environment ensures the region’s longest established financial centre remains its most innovative.

The financial industry is the largest non-oil contributor to Bahrain’s real GDP

  • 16.7%

    Sector contribution to GDP (2018)

  • $201.2bn

    Banking sector assets (2019)

  • $17.4bn

    Market capitalisation (April 2016)

  • 1st in MENA

    for Finance Freedom (Source: Heritage Foundation Index of Economic Freedom 2020)

  • 50 – 55%

    lower

Doing business in Bahrain costs approx. 50 – 55% less capital than it does in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
(Source: KPMG Report 2018)

Job creation

The financial services industry employs more than 14,148 people in Bahrain.

(Source: Central Bank of Bahrain, 2018)

Central Bank of Bahrain

  • Regulatory leadership

    Setting the framework for the financial services sector in Bahrain.

  • Single regulator

    Bahrain’s single source of governance for the entire financial system since 2002

Islamic Finance

Bahrain is a global leader in Islamic finance and banking, offering FinTech companies and banking institutions deep levels of industry expertise. The Bahrain Islamic Bank and other financial companies help lead the way in Islamic finance in Bahrain.

2nd Globally | Islamic Finance Development Report
(Source: Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector)

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FinTech & Payments

Bahrain is also home to MENA’s leading FinTech hub, Bahrain FinTech Bay, which provides facilities including dedicated coworking, innovation labs, advisory services and collaboration platforms.

The transformation of Bahrain’s FinTech ecosystem has been driven by unmatched regulatory reform, paving the way for emerging industries including crowdfunding, InsurTech, robo-advice and crypto-asset platforms. FinTech companies can expand their industry offerings of key financial services thanks to Bahrain’s flexible markets, and strong technology workforce and infrastructure.

In particular, the CBB has been quick to embrace open banking, providing banks with a sound regulatory framework to evolve to meet the growing demand for digital payment services.

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Who’s Here:

From banking services to FinTech innovators, companies in Bahrain are moving the industry forward from their key location in Bahrain. Here are just a few of the companies whose investment in Bahrain and its finance industry has been instrumental to their success.

Discover how Al Baraka leveraged its position in Bahrain to be selected as a ‘Top Global Growth Company’ by the World Economic Forum, for exceeding industry standards in revenue growth, promoting innovative business practices and leadership in corporate citizenship.

Bahrain EDB makes it quick and straightforward to set up and operate in Bahrain for financial services, FinTech, and other financing and exchange companies. Bahrain EDB guides businesses through the process with crucial information and resources about the opportunities in Bahrain to help financial services companies thrive and grow.

Contact us to get started

Discover how Al Baraka leveraged its position in Bahrain to be selected as a ‘Top Global Growth Company’ by the World Economic Forum, for exceeding industry standards in revenue growth, promoting innovative business practices and leadership in corporate citizenship.

The EDB makes it quick and straightforward to set up and operate in Bahrain.

How to get started

Additional resources

A compilation of financial sector resources is available to download. Discover opportunities in Bahrain whatever your specialism with the financial services industry.

Financial
services

Value proposition for financial institutions establishing a regional presence in Bahrain.

Download PDF

Financial Support Services

Find out how Bahrain’s ecosystem can support you with the resources needed to establish your service operations.

Download PDF

GCC Financial
Forum 2017

The 6th annual forum brought together international policy makers, economists, academics and financiers.

Learn more

KPMG Cost of Doing Business – Financial Services May 2018

This report looks at the typical costs associated with operating a financial services firm in Bahrain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Download PDF

CBB regulatory
sandbox

A framework to facilitate FinTech business innovations and encourage financial inclusion.

Learn more

Investment Limited
Partnership Law

Bahrain’s Investment Limited Partnership Law introduces new forms of structures and finding mechanisms for businesses to benefit from.

Learn more

Protected Cells
Companies Law

Strengthens investors’ rights by separating private assets from the protected cell company and legally regards each cell individually.

Learn more

Trusts
Law

The Trust Law is designed to facilitate estate planning, charitable activities, and financial activities.

Learn more

Bahrain for
Islamic finance

An introduction to MENA’s most influential Islamic finance centre.

Download PDF

Start-up
Bahrain

Your guide to entering the start-up ecosystem in Bahrain.

Learn more

Meet the team

David Parker

Co Chief Investment Officer

Dalal Buhejji

Director

Yasmeen Al Saffar

Manager

Naseem Fekri

Senior Executive

Reem AlBaker

Junior Executive

Marwa Almosawi

Coordinator

Get in touch with us

  • Ready to learn more? Fill out our contact form and a member of our team will follow up with you shortly.
Location Find our offices
Phone +973 17 58 99 99
Contact Contact Bahrain EDB
Hours Working hours