Bahrain
Bahrain news and analysis, tenders, contracts awarded, commentary and economic data.
Special Report
Elections fail to unite Bahrain
The low-turnout in this week’s parliamentary elections in Bahrain is a bad omen for the prospects for reconciliation between the kingdom’s Sunni government and Shia majority.
News
Stagnant year for Bahrain's project market
Limited number of new projects in the kingdom’s oil, gas and industrial sectors
Batelco sells Indian stake
Supreme Court ruling prompts operator to offload Indian operations
Bahrain prisoners start hunger strike
Tensions rise ahead of first anniversary of anti-government protests
Bahrain insurer to expand in region
Bahrain National Life sets sights on wider GCC expansion
Bahrain sets up compensation fund
Anti-government protests and police crackdown continue
Batelco invests $70m in Jordan subsidiary
The group recorded a drop in profit for 2011
Instrata buys stake in Salalah water and power project
Construction of Salalah independent water and power project to be completed by April
Bahrain king promises constitutional changes
Opposition says reform package does not go far enough
Work to resume on stalled Manama real estate project
Kuwaiti developer signs agreement with local contractor to complete real estate proejct in Manama’s business district
Analysis
Interview: Sir Nigel Rodley, Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry
The inquiry commissioner was disturbed by the human rights violations in Bahrain last year, but applauds the decision to initiate an investigation into what happened
GCC countries spending $44bn on airport developments
Project plans in the region will push passenger footfall to over 260 million a year
Bahrain's economy
A look at Bahrain’s economic data
Faint hope for reconciliation in Bahrain
A candid report on human rights abuses in Bahrain offers a chance for peace after civil unrest in early 2011, but unless concrete steps are taken the sectarian rift will be hard to reconcile
Engaging the labour force
Engaging and training young nationals for the workplace is a key priority for regional governments
Kofi Annan warns of difficult times ahead for Middle East democracy
Chairman of the Global Commission on Elections, Democracy and Security, Annan calls for leaders to embrace change
Smaller firms become target for data storage market
The data storage market is increasingly focusing on developing solutions for small-to-medium firms
Higher spending exposes region to oil price falls
A prolonged fall in oil prices will provide a major challenge to regional policymakers
Comment
Manama faces violence again
The government and opposition must show they have learnt the lessons from the unrest in 2011. To avert a new crisis, police and protesters will have to show restraint
Tenders
Economic Data
Click on the country name to see more economic and demographic data.
| Country | 2010 | 2011f | 2012f |
| 3.3 | 3.6 | 3.2 | |
| 4.1 | 3.1 | 5.1 | |
| Egypt | 5.1 | 1 | 4 |
| Gaza/ West Bank | 9.3 | 9 | 10 |
| Iran | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Iraq | 0.8 | 9.6 | 12.6 |
| Jordan | 3.1 | 3.3 | 3.9 |
| Kuwait | 2 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Lebanon | 7.5 | 2.5 | 5 |
| Libya | 4.2 | na | na |
| Morocco | 3.2 | 3.9 | 4.6 |
| Oman | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.1 |
| Qatar | 16.3 | 20 | 7.1 |
| Saudi Arabia | 3.7 | 7.5 | 3 |
| Sudan | 5.1 | 4.7 | 5.6 |
| Syria | 3.2 | 3 | 5.1 |
| Tunisia | 3.7 | 1.3 | 5.6 |
| UAE | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.8 |
| Yemen | 8 | 3.4 | 4 |
|
f=forecast;
na=Not Available. Source: IMF |
|||
Bahrain Contacts
Ashutosh Sharma
Ashutosh Sharma is principal consultant, Kema Middle East
Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed al-Khalifa
Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed al-Khalifa is Culture Minister, Bahrain
Hassan Ali al-Majed
Hassan Ali al-Majed is director general, General Organisation of Sea Ports
Daij bin Salman al-Khalifa
Daij bin Salman al-Khalifa is chairman, General Organisation of Sea Ports
Company Profiles
Conares Metal Supply
The steel pipe manufacturer hopes to hit revenues of $500m in 2012, despite weaker regional demand
Al-Zayani Investments
Civil unrest in the region is taking a toll on the Bahrain-based firm’s businesses as demand falls
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