The Middle East

Reform of the educational system is an important component of Economic Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s long-term development plan, and has thus been a focus of the government for a considerable period of time. In tandem with the Economic Development Board (EDB) and other local and international organisations, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has...

As a central pillar of the reforms outlined in Economic Vision 2030, the Bahraini government’s long-term development plan, education plays a key role in the economy. Indeed, having recognised the importance of human capital development, the government has taken significant steps in recent years to improve its public schools and higher education...

After a difficult year in 2011, the return of the Formula 1 (F1) Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in late April 2012 signalled a possible turning point for the country’s tourism sector – a sign that, perhaps, things are now on a path towards renewed growth.

It has long been recognised that the Kingdom’s tourism offering needs to remain dynamic and continue to develop as competition from elsewhere in the region intensifies. Fortunately, the government appears to recognise this and has taken steps to support the development of the private sector’s tourism offerings.

Broadband internet is one of the fastest-developing markets in Bahrain, as an economically powerful consumer base calls for speedier and better-quality internet services. According to reports issued by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), there were around 290,000 internet subscribers in Bahrain in 2011, all of them broadband users,...

By almost any accounting, Bahrain’s tourist trade weathered a difficult year in 2011; however, not all of the Kingdom’s tourism segments were affected, nor have the fundamental strengths that have made it a leading destination for business travel been damaged. Indeed, Bahrain’s performance and outlook as a site for meetings, incentives, conferences...