A combination of factors has led to a rise in bond issuance from GCC members in 2016. Across the year, bonds and sukuk (Islamic bonds) issued in the GCC hit $66.5bn, more than doubling the $27.6bn total issued in 2015, and rivalled only by the $60.9bn issued during 2009. A $17.5bn historic bond sale from Saudi Arabia accounted...
Economic diversification has been a strategic priority for GCC finance ministries for decades, and the recent decline in oil prices has only served to underscore the importance of hydrocarbons-driven economies reducing their dependence on oil and gas to ensure their long-term economic stability. Much of the momentum behind this process in the...
How can Bahrain best capitalise on its head start on diversification in comparison to most other Gulf states?
How have low oil prices affected investments and the regional economic forecast more generally?
The ability of Bahrain’s government to maintain its infrastructure development programme and a GDP per capita of nearly $50,000, according to KPMG, should combine to generate ample opportunities for the kingdom’s banks to grow their assets. However, potential sector expansion is limited by the fact that the domestic market, characterised by a...
The Bahrain Bourse (BHB) was established in 1987 and commenced operations in 1989 with only two stocks trading. Since then, the bourse has grown to include 41 common stocks (including three closed for trading), government bonds and mutual funds. The market is serviced by twelve brokers, of which three are individuals. The Securities &...
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