In October 2016 the Bahrain Bourse (BHB) obtained permission from the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) to establish the Bahrain Investment Market (BIM), paving the way for the exchange to open its much-anticipated market to small to mid-cap companies. Officially launched in March 2017, the initiative is in accord with the government’s broader...
The rapid evolution of the financial technology ( fintech) arena has presented a dilemma to regulators across the world. The industry is emerging as one of the most vibrant segments of the wider financial services sector, and in 2015 collected over $22bn in investment, according to the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), a figure that is expected...
How are the kingdom’s banks adapting to the pace of regulatory changes, such as the Basel guidelines, and new technologies?
A low oil price environment has presented a number of challenges for Bahrain’s vibrant and fiercely competitive insurance sector. Downward pressure on premiums and a dearth of underwriting opportunities across the region have negatively affected the bottom lines of most Manama-based insurers. However, new opportunities in areas such as health care insurance and the extension of compulsory...
Reduced oil prices and fiscal austerity measures being carried out by governments across the GCC have resulted in a challenging environment for Bahrain’s sharia-compliant financial institutions. The competitive domestic market – home to the largest concentration of Islamic financial institutions in the Middle East – has reacted to adverse conditions, with what appears to be the beginning of a...
Despite a challenging investment environment, Bahrain’s exchange showed a relatively strong performance in 2017, with index gains in most sectors. Macroeconomic challenges remain in 2018, but new investment instruments and some significant changes to the exchange’s infrastructure are helping it to maintain its status as one of the most progressively regulated markets it the region – a key...
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