Economy

Benefitting from its robust financial services, industrial and manufacturing sectors, Bahrain’s economy is one of the most mature and diverse in the GCC. Although the kingdom has suffered in the wake of sustained low and volatile international oil prices, its economy is set to benefit from a host of supportive policies, projects and fiscal reprogramming over the near and long term. A $10bn allocation from GCC peers will provide much-needed liquidity and stability to the country’s finances, while also increasing capital expenditure capacity in 2020. The kingdom’s liberal, diverse and incentivised business environment should continue to attract new investment, even as subsidy reforms weigh on investor sentiment and cloud the near-term outlook. This chapter contains an interview with Khalid Humaidan, Chief Executive, Bahrain Economic Development Board.