The GCC’s most established financial centre
Acknowledged as the GCC’s 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 heart of the GCC as well as the wider MENA region. Whether you are a financial services, banking, or exchange company, the Kingdom’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
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16.7%
Sector contribution to GDP (2018)
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$201.2bn
Banking sector assets (2019)
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$17.4bn
Market capitalisation (April 2016)
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1st in MENA
for Finance Freedom (Source: Heritage Foundation Index of Economic Freedom 2020)
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50 – 55%
lower
Operating 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 Bahraini citizens.
(Source: Central Bank of Bahrain, 2018)
Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)
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Regulatory leadership
Setting the framework for the financial services sector in the Kingdom.
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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 services companies help lead the way in Islamic finance in the GCC and beyond.
2nd Globally | Islamic Finance Development Report
(Source: Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector)
FinTech & Payments
Bahrain is also home to MENA’s leading FinTech hub, Bahrain FinTech Bay, which provides a dedicated coworking space, innovation labs, advisory services and more.
The transformation of our FinTech ecosystem has been driven by unmatched regulatory reform, paving the way for emerging industries including robo-advice and crypto-asset platforms. FinTech establishments can expand their industry offerings thanks to the country’s flexible markets, and strong technology infrastructure.
In particular, the CBB has been quick to embrace open banking, providing banks with a sound and ever-evolving regulatory framework to meet the demand for digital payment and credit services.
Who’s Here:
From banking services to FinTech innovators, companies in Bahrain are moving the industry forward. Here are just a few of those whose investment in Bahrain’s finance industry has been instrumental to their success.
Bahrain EDB makes it quick and straightforward to set up and operate in Bahrain for financial services, FinTech, and other financing and exchange institutions. The EDB guides each new or existing entity through the process with crucial information and resources about future business opportunities in Bahrain to help financial services companies thrive and grow.
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
Discover what financial institutions establishing a regional presence out of the Kingdom can gain.
Financial Support Services
Find out how our ecosystem can support you with the resources needed to establish your service operations.
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.
CBB regulatory sandbox
A framework to facilitate FinTech innovations and encourage financial inclusion.
Investment Limited Partnership Law
Bahrain’s Investment Limited Partnership Law introduces new forms of structures and finding mechanisms for companies to benefit from.
Protected Cells Companies Law
Strengthens investors’ rights by separating private assets from the protected cell company and legally regards each cell individually.
Trusts Law
The Trust Law is designed to facilitate estate planning, charitable activities, and financial activities.
Bahrain for Islamic finance
An introduction to MENA’s most influential Islamic finance centre.
