Bahrain EDB reveals success in foreign investment

The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) announced that thirty-five international businesses established operations in the Kingdom in 2013 as a result of direct outreach activities carried out by the EDB, in line with its role and efforts to promote Bahrain’s business environment and to attract FDI to the Kingdom.

In 2013, the EDB attracted US$114 million of foreign investment into the country from North America, Europe and Asia – a 12% increase on the level of investment secured in 2012. This boost will help create more than 800 jobs in the Kingdom over the course of three years across a range of sectors, including financial and professional services, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare and ICT.

Ms. Vivian Jamal, Executive Director – Business Development at the Bahrain EDB said: “We are delighted so many international businesses have chosen to locate their Middle East operations in Bahrain where they will enjoy competitive taxation, clear regulation, the most highly skilled workforce in the region and unrivalled access to the fast growing US$1.5 trillion Gulf market.

“Growth in the private sector is imperative to the continued diversification of Bahrain’s economy. Foreign investment is a key driver of growth and is providing more and better jobs for Bahrainis. Targeting international investors will be a continued focus for the EDB in 2014, while we continue to support the new companies that have chosen the Kingdom.”

Bahrain’s favourable business conditions and strong economic fundamentals have been endorsed by the Heritage Foundation’s 2014 Index of Economic Freedom, which saw the Kingdom ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa. The report highlights that the Kingdom’s “transition to greater openness and diversification is based on foundations of economic freedom”, and that Bahrain “continues to be a financial hub for dynamic economic activity, with high levels of trade and investment bolstered by a competitive and efficient regulatory environment.” In 2013, the Fraser Institute’s annual Economic Freedom of the World Index ranked Bahrain as the eighth freest economy globally.