In keeping with its aim to transform the kingdom into a regional hub for financial technology (fintech), the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has undertaken several important regulatory reforms aimed at attracting new cryptocurrency and blockchain companies. Cryptocurrency development is expected to keep Bahrain at the forefront of regional...
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 (BASI) reached a nine-year high in mid-2019, while the initial public offering (IPO) of a port...
The kingdom is among the smaller economies in the GCC, but is also one of the most diversified, with particularly well-developed financial services and manufacturing sectors. Despite its diversified economy, Bahrain has nonetheless faced pressures in recent years as a result of the 2014-15 drop in global oil prices. However, a multibillion-...
With 36 insurance and reinsurance companies in operation as of December 2017, Bahrain’s insurance sector is well developed, particularly when taking into account the size of the economy by both GCC and emerging market standards. According to the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), the market comprised 14 conventional locally incorporated firms (...
While advanced economies generate the vast majority of insurance and reinsurance business, emerging markets are posting higher rates of growth. Complementing this underlying trend is a strong and expanding interest in catastrophic risk, which by nature tends to pertain to emerging markets. This is coming alongside fast-paced, sector-...
The Bahrain Bourse is home to two debt boards, one for longer-term government and corporate bonds and sukuk (Islamic bonds), and another for short-term Treasury bills issued by the government. There are 15 debt instruments listed on the bond and sukuk market, comprising 10 conventional bonds and five sukuk. Four listings took place in...
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