Capital Markets

As of December 2015, the Bahrain Bourse was home to 46 listed companies distributed across several segments including: commercial banks, investment, services, insurance, industrial, hotels and tourism, closed companies and non-Bahraini companies. While falling oil prices and unrest in the wider Middle East region have continued to pose growth challenges to the Bahrain Bourse, a process of market development continues in the form of technical upgrades, legislative improvements and a steady stream of new investment instruments, including options, exchange-traded funds and real estate investment trusts. Meanwhile, initiatives are under way to increase awareness of the bourse’s offerings and benefits among the local population, including a strengthened social media presence and savings and investment seminars across the country.

This chapter contains a viewpoint from Najla M Al Shirawi, CEO, Securities & Investment Company.