Country Profile

Building on a centuries-old geostrategic advantage, Bahrain continues to increase its prominence within the region. Energy has given way to a well-regulated finance sector as a leading driver of GDP and wider economic growth. The government is investing heavily in several sectors, especially education and transport, as part of efforts to achieve the goals of its Economic Vision 2030. The GCC has been seen increasingly as a catalyst for coalition and mutually beneficial development amongst its member states, and trade and movement of goods between the states continues to rise. This chapter contains an interview with Hala Mohammed Al Ansari, Secretary-General, Supreme Council for Women; and a viewpoint from David Cameron, UK Prime Minister.