Bahrain is the complete package for technology and innovation
Bahrain is a gateway to the Gulf Cooperation Council region offering direct access to Saudi Arabia and other regional markets. Global IT companies choose Bahrain as a hub due to the availability of talent, cost competitiveness, ownership structure and strategic location. According to the World Bank Doing Business 2019 report, Bahrain is ranked 2nd in MENA in the ease of doing business index.
Cloud traffic is growing faster in MENA than anywhere else in the world at 41% year over year. As the first Gulf country to adopt a nation-wide ‘cloud-first’ policy, Bahrain is ideally placed to take advantage of the ICT opportunities this trend is creating in areas such as business services outsourcing, cybersecurity, digital entertainment, gaming and e-commerce.
Bahrain offers internet bandwidth to connect to regional nodes in MENA, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australia. With strong market conditions created by high mobile penetration, the roll-out of commercial 5G and a business-friendly regulatory environment, Bahrain offers an ideal testbed for communication technology companies looking to take advantage of a region undergoing rapid digital transformation and technological advances.
Business-friendly regulatory framework
100%
Bahrain offers foreign investors in the ICT sector 100% business ownership
0%
Bahrain also offers 0% tax (corporate and personal tax), making it the most liberal tax regime in the gulf
Superior internet and networking capabilities
4
Submarine fiber optics systems
2
Terrestrial dark fiber systems
4th
globally for Telecoms Infrastructure by the UN (UN EGDI 2018)
1st
in MENA in ICT readiness, Bahrain offers nationwide high-speed 5G network
As a pioneer within the region, Bahrain is ready for more ICT and communication technology companies and help them prosper.
As a pioneer within the region, Bahrain is ready for more ICT and communication technology companies and prepared to help them prosper.
Access to the market
Bahrain lies at the heart of the Arabian Gulf, providing fast and efficient access to the USD 3.7 trillion MENA market and to large neighbouring economies like Saudi Arabia.
The total value of the ICT market in the Middle East totalled USD 160bn in 2020 (Gartner). As such, the region presents various information and communication technology opportunities in a range of different sectors including:
Cloud (datacenter & software as a service)
41%
World’s highest cloud traffic growth rate. (Cisco’s Global Cloud Index)
35%
Annual growth rate of cloud data center traffic. (Cisco’s)
83%
Of regional traffic is projected to be consumed by cloud services. (Cisco’s)
Cybersecurity
USD 6.53mn
According to a 2020 study by the Ponemon Institute and IBM Security, the average cost of a data breach incident incurred per company in the Middle East is $6.53 million USD, well above the global average, presenting opportunities for Cybersecurity firms.
20%
The MENA cybersecurity market is expected to grow at CAGR of 20% from 2017 to 2022. (Ken Research)
Gaming & Digital media
USD 821m
estimated size of the GCC gaming industry, expected to reach 1.5% of global gaming market revenue by 2025
9.79%
MENA has the world’s highest gaming and e-sports CAGR of 9.79% with expected revenue to reach $3.9bn in 2023 (PwC)
10%
MENA accounts for 10% of global mobile app traffic and revenue generation (Device Research)
E-commerce
$181 ARPU
MENA’s average revenue per user (ARPU) is amongst the highest in the world. MENA market averages $181 while China averages $48 (The Mobile Economy 2018)
4mn
MENA is home to 4 million online shoppers (GSMA Mobile Economy)
Business services
190 SSCs
MENA is home to over 190 Shared Services Centres
41%
GCC outsourcing market growing at 41% to USD 1.86bn by 2021
Total costs in USD
Source: Cost of doing business in Bahrain, KPMG Report 2018
Total costs in USD
Source: Cost of doing business in Bahrain, KPMG Report 2018
Ready-to-go commercial office spaces at:
Bahrain Financial Harbor
Bahrain World Trade Center
Al Moayyed Tower
Fakhroo Tower
Serviced offices:
Regus
Servcorp
Alliance
Landing pads/incubators:
Brilliant Lab
Brinc
CH9
Flat6Labs
Hub for human capital
Whether you are starting a business or developing a product, the right people are the key. A hub for qualified people with exceptional talent, Bahrain ranks 2nd among Arab countries in the 2020 World Bank Human Capital Index. Our digitally-native nation also ranks 1st globally for internet users (as a percentage of the population), and 1st in MENA for digital life (InterNations 2019).
Bahrain offers ICT and communication technology companies a ready-made talent pool from which to build diverse and talented teams.
As a result of Bahrain’s liberal business environment and visa system, companies are able to hire teams of local and international staff to better serve their regional clients.
Tamkeen, a semi-government organisation bolstering the private sector, offers salary and training subsidiaries as well as grants to cover other costs such as equipment, IT infrastructure, and marketing.
Bahrain ranks 1st in MENA for ICT development and digital life. (InterNations Expat Insider Survey 2019)
Discover Bahrain’s strengths, sector by sector
Bahrain offers an ideal location for ICT and other communication technology companies to access the fast-growing Middle East and GCC markets across key sectors. From cloud computing companies to digital entertainment enterprises and internet security providers, Bahrain offers plenty of room to grow.
Cloud
Cyber Security
Digital Content & e-Commerce
Business Services
Who’s Here:
Join a powerful network in Bahrain that includes these information and communication technology companies.
Currently, the cost of living in Bahrain is 23% lower compared to GCC countries (KPMG). Bahrain also ranks 5th globally for the best places to live and work by the HSBC Expat Survey 2019, and ranks 1st globally in Reaching Potential and Work/Life Balance.
Additional resources
A compilation of ICT sector resources and data to download and read at your convenience.
ICT
factsheet
An overview and factsheet of the ICT sector in Bahrain, outlining how Bahrain has emerged as a leading location for IT business and communication technology opportunities.
ICT industry
in Bahrain
An in-depth look at the advantages of Bahrain’s ICT sector, including high demand for mobile data, applications and services; widespread regional internet use; and a strong ICT ecosystem.
Sabre
An in-depth look at why Sabre, a company offering airline and hotel software, data, mobile and distribution solutions, chose to base its regional headquarters in Bahrain.
Elite
An in-depth look at how Bahrain has been the ideal location for Elite Technologies to expand as a business specializing in digital information services and systems.
Meet the team
We at Bahrain EDB are excited to help you begin or grow your venture in Bahrain in the information and communications technology industry.
