The Middle East

Bahrain offers both citizens and residents a wide range of care provided by the government and the private sector. The government spent almost $557.86m on health care in 2011, which was an increase of close to 8% over 2010. Since that year it has been implementing a strategy to improve health care provision, which has focused, in large part, on integrating medical services and providing greater...

Events have been planned to celebrate Bahrain’s year as the Capital of Arab Tourism in 2013. MICE venues, such as the Bahrain Exhibition and Conference Authority’s complex at Sanabis, seek to offer a diverse range of meeting spaces, often in conjunction with hotels. Cruise ships are expected to further boost visitor numbers: the kingdom saw a record number of cruise ship arrivals for Bahrain in...

Projects aimed at expanding the metals and petrochemicals segments are underway, with the current aluminium production of 2m tonnes set to increase to 10m tonnes by 2020 and plans from the Gulf Petrochemicals Industries Company to triple output of ammonia related products. There has also been a drive to create favourable conditions for foreign investment, including numerous business parks and...

With instability in the real estate sector largely stabilised after a slump in the property market, the government and private firms are focusing on the issue of affordable housing for nationals, with a plan to provide housing to 54,000 Bahrainis waiting for a subsidised government home. In the construction sector, plans are also in place to improve transport infrastructure, with roads and...

The hydrocarbons industry is a key contributor to the economy, accounting for around 22% of GDP in 2012 as well as some 75% of government revenues. Efforts to boost production are expected to see output reach 100,000 barrels per day by 2020. The government has pledged to invest $15bn in the hydrocarbons sector over the next 30 years, with energy diversification and a growing focus on solar and...

While motor insurance remains the chief source of revenue and claims, accounting for 25.8% of the total $565.5m in gross premiums recorded in 2011, mandatory medical insurance – which has been on the table for several years and is expected to become a law in the short to medium term – has the potential to provide a new and lucrative line of business. There is also an increasing focus on risk-...