Capital Markets

Despite facing challenging macroeconomic headwinds, in addition to illiquidity and limited levels of free-floating shares, Bahrain’s capital markets have been among the best-performing in the GCC in recent years. Indeed, the Bahrain All Share Index reached a nine-year high in mid-2019. Benefitting from lively trading activity, increasing market capitalisation and an expanding debt market, Bahrain’s capital markets are set for a strong performance in 2020. Although illiquidity and sluggish macroeconomic growth continue to pose a challenge, the Bahrain Bourse’s proactive and progressive approach to regulatory reform and digital innovation will help the bourse maintain its competitive edge against a backdrop of rising regional competition. This chapter contains an interview with Sheikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, CEO, Bahrain Bourse.