Economy

Despite a number of notable uncertainties in the global economy, Bahrain’s economic outlook remains mostly positive. Largely insulated from international economic turmoil, the kingdom saw more than 6% GDP growth in 2008 and 3% in 2009. In 2012 the economy expanded at a rate of 3.4%, largely due to the robust private sector, which a number of government initiatives are aimed at supporting, such as fostering small and medium-sized enterprise growth and promoting innovation. With forecasts for expansion throughout the Gulf region, particularly in the domestic non-hydrocarbons sector, some expect to see Bahrain's GDP grow by 5% in 2013. This chapter contains interviews with Mahmood Hashim Al Kooheji, CEO, Mumtalakat; Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, Chairman, Tamkeen; and Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Chairman, Mumtalakat.