In light of its history as a regional financial hub, and the presence in the country of several major international Islamic financial institutions and support bodies, Bahrain has a well-developed, sharia-compliant financial services sector. The Islamic banking and takaful (Islamic insurance) segments have been posting healthy growth in...
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...
Bahrain is home to four international Islamic finance governing bodies, including the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions ( AAOIFI). The kingdom is pushing for greater international standardisation in the sector, which is taking place as more and more countries adhere to AAOIFI guidelines; these in turn are...
The Bahrain Bourse (BHB) has seen a slowdown in initial public offerings (IPOs) and equity listings over the past decade. However, in 2017 the kingdom launched its first real estate investment trust (REIT), which was followed by the successful completion of an IPO in late 2018. As of early 2019 discussions for a second REIT were under way,...
Islamic financial institutions are increasingly interested in utilising financial technologies (fintech), with a survey published in May 2018 by the Bahrain-based General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions showing that over 70% of managers in the sector regard fintech and digital transformation as highly important factors in...
Despite macroeconomic challenges facing Bahrain, the kingdom’s stock market has performed reasonably well over the past two years. Although listings activity has been weak recently, developments such as the introduction of a real estate investment trust (REIT) in 2017 and the initial public offering (IPO) of a local logistics operator in 2018...
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