Key Facts

GDP (ppp) per CAPITA

$37,300 (2008 est.)

Inflation Rate

7% (2008 est.)

Population

727,785

Country Risk Ratings

A3

Ease of Doing Business

18/181

Global Competitiveness

4.57/134

Country Map

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gE Network

There are 7 members in the
gE Network for this country.

Bahrain : Introduction

In 1783, the al-Khalifa family captured Bahrain from the Persians. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has transformed itself into an international banking center. King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, after coming to power in 1999, pushed economic and political reforms to improve relations with the Shi'a community. Shi'a political societies participated in 2006 parliamentary and municipal elections. Al Wifaq, the largest Shi'a political society, won the largest number of seats in the elected chamber of the legislature. However, Shi'a discontent has resurfaced in recent years with street demonstrations and occasional low-level violence.

Bahrain: Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of private commercial and industrial sector in Bahrain and abroad. This site includes information on trading laws and delegations and contains links to information services offered by the chamber's library. The site is available in English and Arabic.

Bahrain: Bahrain Monetary Agency

The Agency is the country’s central bank and regulator of the financial sector.

Bahrain: Ministry of Finance

The website for the Ministry of Finance of the Kingdom of Bahrain; includes budget and law information as well as analysis and headlines relating to the economic state of Bahrain.

Sources:
CIA World Factbook (September 2009)
U.S. Dept. of State Country Background Notes (April 2009)