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Sales Agent in Middle-East based in Bahrain ? Just Bahrain Intelligence Import Technology helps you to operate as a local agent in Bahrain Middle East - GCC - Persian Gulf - to turn your Infrastructure to a Quality for Cost solutions that lower your TCO (total cost of ownership) for high-end Tailor Made Solutions

in other words, Just BI IT fits technology in the Kingdom of Bahrain, GCC, Persian Gulf from Manama 2010.

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Bahrain

Investment opportunities
Bahrain's unique mix of market access, skilled labour, low operating costs and zero corporate taxes, combined with an excellent lifestyle offer, has stimulated investment across a wide range of sectors. Bahrain was the first country in the region to diversify away from oil and gas 40 years ago. Very early on, Bahrain set in motion a series of initiatives to encourage industry sectors which can offer significant investment potential, based on Bahrain's natural and human resources, global market trends and regional demands. Bahrain's overall economic strategy is focused on the creation of high-quality jobs in skilled and sustainable industries. Bahrain now has an established track record in a number of key sectors, with new sectors developing all the time.

Financial services:
Widely regarded as the best-regulated financial centre in the Middle East, Bahrain has been the region's undisputed financial capital for more than 40 years.

Financial services currently make up 27.6% of Bahrain's GDP, and there are over 400 licensed financial institutions. This has created a large pool of local talent. Of around 14,000 people employed in the industry, 67% are Bahraini, with very high levels of financial skill and expertise.

The sector continues to grow strongly
Banking assets rose by 33.5 per cent in 2006, and by more than 18 per cent in the first half of 2007. Excellent opportunities for growth remain in mutual funds, fund administration, project finance, private banking and asset management. To enable institutions to take advantage of these opportunities, the Central Bank of Bahrain has created a licence specifically for investment businesses.

Firms already present in Bahrain
International banking groups based in Bahrain include BNP Paribas, Citibank, Merrill Lynch, HSBC and Standard Chartered; Middle Eastern banks like Arab Bank, the Arab Banking Corporation, Arcapita, GIB, NCB Capital, Gulf Finance House and Investcorp; and Asian banks such as Bank of China and India's ICICI. Many insurance groups are also here, including AIG, ALICO, AXA and Zurich. They enjoy a trusted regulatory environment, effective and transparent legislation, and the best resources and expertise the region has to offer.

Islamic finance
Bahrain has been an innovator in Islamic finance ever since they brought sukuk to the international market. Bahrain has continued to lead the significant growth in this sector and have the largest concentration of Islamic financial institutions in the Middle East, including commercial, investment and leasing banks, insurance companies, and mutual funds. Bahrain plays host to a number of organizations central to the development of Islamic finance, including the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions, the General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions, the International Islamic Financial Market and the International Islamic Rating Agency.

Financial Risk Ratings
The Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) has continuously given a B rating to Bahrain for Financial Risk (on a scale of A-E where E=most risky). Bahrain sits in the top third (scores 33/100), not far behind Germany's and UK's rating (25), and surpasses the scores of the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The EIU's Financial Risk Ratings are based on the country's risk of a major devaluation, the depth of financing in its local market, legal and regulatory standards, tax risks, the liquidity of the country's stock market, and the risk of a systemic crisis in its banking sector.

When calculating the score, the EIU examines country-specific sources such as central bank reports, statistical yearbooks and country websites. Other international sources used include publications from the UN, CIA, IMF, World Bank, Heritage Foundation, International Institute for Management Development, International Labour Organisation, US Social Security Administration, World Economic Forum, Interpol and the US Commerce Department.

Funds Administration & Management:
Bahrain has a thriving funds industry established since the 1980's, with the first Bahrain domiciled fund being launched in the Kingdom in 1984. Formal regulations governing funds were introduced in 1992 providing the spur for the development of a thriving fund sector towards Bahrain's dominance today as the Gulf's regional funds centre.  Key updates in Bahrain's funds regime have been the streamlining and authorization of commercial registration processes for mutual funds and the creation in 2004 of a new corporate special purpose vehicle better suited to mutual funds than the corporate vehicles previously available.

Bahrain is home to more than 2,483 (as at April 2008) registered funds. Of these, 108 are Bahrain domiciled schemes, and 43 are Islamic funds. Total assets under management rose by nearly 73% during 2007 to over US$15 billion, demonstrating Bahrain's regional dominance as a funds centre (CBB, May 2008). Of the total assets of the fund industry, assets of foreign funds registered in Bahrain for sale rose 75% to US$11.1 billion in 2007, compared with US$6.3 billion in 2006.  The number of such funds totalled 2,360 in 2007, compared with 2,102 the previous year (CBB, May 2008).

As a result of the rapid changes currently taking place in the Middle East, the region presents significant opportunities for asset management firms and is experiencing significant growth in the mass affluent category, in addition to the more established institutional/high net worth market.  Many international asset managers have opted for Bahrain when basing their operations in the Middle East.

There is a growing trend for investors to invest in regional asset classes due to developments in the regional markets.  The increase in private and institutional wealth has been matched by an increased sophistication in customer needs and types of investment vehicles as more personal wealth remains and is invested in the region.  This includes private equity funds which have increased by 62% per year over the past four years (CBB, May 2008). Bahrain has become the preferred destination for Islamic funds - the Islamic fund industry grew by 78.5% to US$1.3 billion, invested through 87 funds, compared with US$750 million and 80 funds in 2006 (CBB, May 2008).  It is now a big driver for growth in the Kingdom for shari'a compliant investments, with recent statistics indicating that half of all Muslim investors would put money in Islamic products when they are available if they offer the same or better returns and service standards than conventional products.

Regulation
In May 2007 the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) issued a new regulatory framework to govern Collective Investment Undertakings (CIU's) with a key objective of widening the range of schemes permitted.  The new rules, effective from June 2007, provide for the full range of investment funds, catering to various categories of investors.

The new framework updates regulatory instruments governing mutual funds, to target professional investors by providing a more diversified range of CIU's including hedge funds, derivatives and alternative investment vehicles and by allowing single asset class holdings to be domiciled and offered in Bahrain, broadening the range of products available.

The new framework allows for the authorization of two types of CIU:
I. Retail CIUs, which may be sold to anyone but are subject to stringent requirements aimed at investor protection, such as restrictions on types of assets held in the CIU and various limits on concentration risks.

II. Expert CIUs, subject to a minimum US$10,000 investment rule, and which may only be sold to expert investors (as verified by the institution selling the CIU, and defined in the rules – one criterion being the investor must have financial assets of US$100,000 or more to invest).  Expert CIUs are also regulated, but may fully invest in a wider range of assets (including real estate and commodities), and are subject to fewer risk concentration requirements.

III. A third category, 'Exempt CIU', subject only to certain requirements as this category may only be sold to a restricted investor base (those with a minimum investment of US$100,000, and with at least US$1 million in financial assets, and subject to verification by institution selling the product that the investor fully understands the risks involved). Exempt CIU rules give the freedom to establish hedge funds and other higher risk alternative investment vehicles to be domiciled in Bahrain.

Insurance:
The insurance sector in the Middle East currently makes up about 1% of worldwide premiums. According to Standard & Poor's, if the world average insurance premium of US$550 per capita were achieved in the Middle East, then the market has a potential size of US$20 billion, which currently makes up 1% of worldwide premiums (Standard & Poors).

Insurance companies anticipate that fast-rising GDP, population growth and government reforms taking place in the Middle East region will provide the fuel to make this sector one of the fastest-growing over the next few years.
The insurance sector in the Middle East is composed of two dimensions:
o conventional insurance; and
o Islamic (known as Takaful) 

The insurance industry in Bahrain has been growing steadily and strongly in recent years demonstrating double digit growth, and mirroring the expansion of Bahrain's financial sector. The Kingdom offers the ideal environment for the insurance industry, and with its forward-looking and business-friendly regulatory regime it hopes to sustain this growth in the long-term. Bahrain is home to more than 165 insurance firms. Gross domestic insurance premium figures stand at US$308 million, This is under 3% of GDP – which is high for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states.The insurance industry posted a strong increase of 24.5 per cent in employment in 2008, with insurance firms employing a total of 1,378 people, up from 1,107 in 2007. Another example of the significance of Bahrain's position as a regional hub for insurance industry in the Gulf and wider global market is the fact that the Kingdom is home to the Arab Insurance Group (ARIG). The ARIG is the representative body for the insurance industry in the Gulf.

In recent years many international insurers have developed their regional Middle East operations, many of whom have chosen Bahrain as their regional base. During 2006 some of the big insurance names to open in Bahrain have included AIG, ACE, Allianz Group, Hannover Re and Lloyd's brokers PWS.

In order to further appeal to foreign investment there needs to be a talent present in the market in order to sustain new business, therefore Bahrain is now the home of the Gulf Insurance Institute (GII), launched in March 2008. The Institute will help to train Bahrain's already well educated workforce, with the professional skills necessary to advance in the insurance market. Retail insurance in Bahrain has risen rapidly in recent years primarily to meet the demand from Western expatriates for life and contents insurance. This has led Bahrain to be have one of the most developed life markets in the Arab world. In addition, as a growing middle class develops in Bahrain and the local population begin to buy houses the need for retail insurance is increasing.

Reinsurance
Reinsurance is a smaller market than the main insurance sector in Bahrain, but it is one that is steadily growing. An increasing number of companies are offering reinsurance for local companies and using Bahrain as a base from which to do business globally.

The Bahraini market for insurance products is non-diversified and insurers are constrained by low absolute capital base. This leads to the heavy use of reinsurance in insuring the large infrastructure and other development projects that are taking place in the region.

Captive Insurance 
In 2007, the CBB licensed the Middle East region's first captive insurance company.
Bahrain is likely to see growth in the captive insurance sector over the next couple of years due to the ideal legal and regulatory framework it has created, the right capital management located in the Kingdom, and the lack of taxation on withholdings, making Bahrain a valid location to set up captives.

Takaful
The Takaful market in the Middle East is set for a boom over the next few years. Recent predictions at the Takaful 2008 conference (April 2008) noted that the industry is set to increase to US$10 billion by 2015, the figure for 2007 stands at US$5 billion (Reported at the Takaful 2008 Conference in April 2008). Total premiums written by Takaful insurers are set to reach 9% of the world's insurance market share by 2010.

Bahrain is rapidly being established as the leader in this field. It was the first market to introduce regulations for Takaful companies that met with Accounting & Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) standards. It is anticipated that with high levels of regulation it will encourage further growth of Takaful business in the Kingdom, as Takaful needs a high standard of regulation to succeed.

The rise in demand for practice of Takaful in Bahrain is evident by the number of the big conventional insurance companies that have created a Takaful arm of their business in order to capture this market, for example, Allianz Takaful Bahrain, AIG Takaful and Hannover Re Takaful. Currently Bahrain is home to 15 such firms, and one Re-Takaful firm (Source: Central Bank of Bahrain Quarterly Statistics, March 2008), this is the reinsurance arm of Takaful.

Capital markets
The Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE) established in 1989 is recognized as the most open capital market in the GCC region. 52 companies (Source: Bahrain Stock Exchange, 11th June 2008, Press Release). 19 bonds (both conventional and Islamic) and 42 mutual funds are currently listed on the Exchange (Source: Central Bank of Bahrain, July 2008). As at December 2007, market capitalization of the Exchange stood at US$27.6 billion, an increase of 30% on the 2006 total (Zawya, June 2008).

There are 14 brokers active in the market and day to day activity takes place through automated trading system (ATs) (Bahrain Stock Exchange, July 2008). The clearing, settlement and Central Depository System are also automated.  A framework of sound risk management and internal controls are in place.

Bahrain's capital market is under the regulation and supervision of the Central Bank of Bahrain's (CBB) Capital Markets Supervision Directorate which overseas both primary and secondary markets. The Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE) is a self regulatory organization and front line regulator of the issuers listed on the BSE. The BSE is a licensee and under the supervision of the CBB.
The Government has sought to promote Bahrain's domestic debt market through the regular issue of government securities:
I. Sukuk Al Salam Islamic bonds are issued on a monthly basis
II. Sukuk Al-ljara short term Islamic leasing bonds are issued on a monthly basis
III. Government Treasury bills are issued weekly and monthly

Sovereign Wealth Funds
Mumtalakat
The increased and high profile investment activity of Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds is increasingly being scrutinised by western financial markets, looking at the opportunities provided by these funds to access the current abundance of Gulf capital.  The increase in high profile overseas investments by some of these funds is currently receiving significant press coverage and interest worldwide.
In 2006, Bahrain set up its own investment vehicle, Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company with a capital of BHD2 billion. Today, Mumtalakat is valued around $10bn (Mumtalakat -  July 2008 - www.bmhc.bh). With 35 commercial enterprises under its portfolio, Mumtalakat is an active shareholder in both local and foreign companies with a diversified portfolio of holdings including:
- National Bank of Bahrain
- Gulf Air
- Batelco
- Aluminum Bahrain
- Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company
- The Bahrain International Investment Circuit

Since inception, Mumtalakat has been open and transparent in its holdings and strategy. Mumtalakat is committed to fostering the development of the company through greater transparency, better accountability and improved growth of its investments.

Historically, the focus of Mumtalakat has been primarily local, providing funding to develop Bahrain's economy.  In January 2007 the Company took a step outside Bahrain when it acquired a 30% stake in a British company, The McLaren Group (best known for their F1 racing team).

In February 2008, Mumtalakat's management announced plans to float stakes in state companies next year, in order to boost privatization in Bahrain (Source:  Financial Times , February 2008 ). This move will position Mumtalakat as the Kingdom's own sovereign wealth fund as it puts future revenues from privatizations into a more diverse range of international investment opportunities.
Full details can been found at their website www.mumtalakat.bh

Business and professional services
Bahrain is committed to further providing abundant business friendly opportunities for professional services that cater to the GCC's rapid developments.

- Rapid and sustained development, particularly in financial services and Saudi Arabia's oil and gas markets, are creating abundant opportunities for professional and business services firms. This includes law, accountancy, management consultancy, marketing services, engineering services and human resources.

-  Within the GCC, Bahrain is noteworthy for its accessibility as a service centre to other Gulf markets (especially Saudi Arabia), given its advantages of political/cultural neutrality, language, physical proximity, skilled labour, low operatiing costs and favourable legal environment.

- Creative industries enjoy important advantages in Bahrain. Intellectual property and copyright laws have been brought up to date, and now ensure the highest standard of protection available anywhere in the Middle East.

Management Consultancy 

- Bahrain is committed to further improving the field of management consultancy. The Bahrain Management Society, founded in February of 1994, has been awarded recognition as a non-profit by H.E. the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs.

- The Bahrain Management Society is dedicated to 'providing a forum for the promotion of best management practice and professionalism so as to enhance the development of Bahrain's managers and thus serve the community.

- The Bahrain Management Society works within the management community by conducting workshops and organizing seminars and conferences. It strives to share increased understandings of management by working with advanced communication media.

- The society is at the forefront of management research and produces publications, thus providing value to the national economy by promoting the importance and significance of constructive management.  

- The Bahrain Management Society aspires to be recognized as the premier management society in the region, fostering cutting-edge management development, and leading change in a changing world.'

Major Management Consultancy Firms in Bahrain

KPMG, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, McKinsey & Company, PROJACS International, Ideal Management Consulting, MCG Consultancy Services, DRAM Consultancy Advanced Approach Group, Jawad Habib & Co, AT Kearney Middle East Grand Thornton (Bahrain), Horwath Bahrain, PKF Bahrain, Focus Consulting.

More about Business & Professional Services in Bahrain
Bahrain is located at the heart of the Gulf, perfectly placed to give the business and professional service sector unrivalled access to new clients in these markets.

Logistics
Bahrain is the long-established trading hub of the Gulf, which started in 1824 with pearls, and is considered an open commercial environment for regional and international business.

Bahrain's excellent transport infrastructure has already attracted DHL, Aramex, GAC Express and TNT, who benefit from Bahrain's strategic location at the heart of the Gulf.

The best regional air connections in the Middle East, and the causeway linking Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, make for the most efficient access to the potential of key markets across the Middle East and beyond. Bahrain is ahead of many of its neighbours in terms of logistics, and maintains a permanent advantage due to its proximity to Saudi Arabia.

The logistics industry is growing fast in response to increasing demand from businesses, and supported by government investment in a number of large infrastructure projects.

Strategically located in the heart of the Gulf, Bahrain is the gateway to the region with easy access to the large economies of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Bahrain's logistics industry is set to flourish in the coming years as cargo volume in the Gulf increases. TEU traffic volume is predicted to increase from 2 million in 2007 to 5 million by 2015 (Oxford Business Group, 2008 Report).

Bahrain is investing US$2.9bn to upgrade its logistics infrastructure, including a new bridge to Qatar, an airport expansion, a state of the art logistics zone and a larger port. Bahrain has the shortest travel time between its seaport, airport and the logistics processing zone of anywhere in the Gulf enabling more efficient and faster processing of trade goods.  Bahrain also offers the lowest costs and best value for money when it comes to operating costs.

Bahrain International Airport
Bahrain International Airport has a well developed logistics operation - in 2007 the airport handled 380,000 tones of cargo, an increase of 6% on 2006. International cargo carrier DHL has exploited Bahrain's strategic location since 1978 basing its Middle East hub in Manama.  The Airport is DHL's regional distribution centre for Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Bahrain's world class airport has links to principal global finance and business centers. It is the regional hub for Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific and Air India.  Gulf Air has the biggest network in Middle East connecting to over 40 destinations.

Bahrain International Airport will soon be home to the Cargo Oasis, an expanded cargo handling facility that will:
- treble Bahrain's international air cargo to a capacity of one million tones per annum, a level comparable with London's Heathrow Airport
- have capacity for 27 large cargo planes to be handled at any given time

The Mina Salman Port and the New Khalifa Bin Salman Port
Established since 1962, the Mina Salman Port has an annual volume of 2.5 million tonnes and 15 container berths - two of which are container berths. The new Khalifa Bin Salman Port opened in April 2009. 

The new Port's features include:  
- dredged to a depth of 15 metre - deep enough to accommodate any container ship currently in service
- capacity to handle ships travelling directly to Bahrain from Europe, Asia and North America without the need to unload or reload
- an annual capacity of 2.5 million TEUs - two thirds the handling capacity of Felixstowe
- built on a site of approx. 900,00m2 , the port has been designed to allow for future expansion
- due to its location, the new port is better placed geographically than Dubai's Jebel Ali port to serve large and rapidly developing markets such as Iraq, Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia
- will allow mother ships from Europe, Asia and America to dock directly in Bahrain without having to unload and transfer cargo at Jebel Ali to local feeder vessels
- adjacent is the Bahrain Logistics Zone and the two entities work closely together

Bahrain's third port, Sitra, is located about five kilometres from Sitra Island and at the end of the Sitra pipeline causeway and is used mostly for industrial purposes, in particular the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO).

The Ports are operated by APM Terminals, the multinational container terminal operating company headquartered in the Netherlands. It is the world's second largest terminal operator with a global network of more than 50 terminals in 31 countries, with another 14 more in development or construction.

King Fahd Causeway 
Bahrain offers the closest proximity to the key Saudi Arabian market, the largest in the GCC market.
The King Fahd Causeway was completed in 1986 and has brought huge economic benefits for both countries. The 25km causeway allows around 12m passengers a year to cross between the two countries allowing goods and cargo to transported between both countries.

Bahrain Logistics Zone
Bahrain is currently ranked second in the Middle East in the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index.
Bahrain Logistics Zone (BLZ) is the Middle East's first multi-model logistics hub focusing on re-export and value-adding logistics activities.  The BLZ is designed to be one of the region's largest shipping and transport hubs capitalizing on the Kingdom's proximity to Saudi Arabia. The Bahrain Logistics Zone is strategically located adjacent to the Mina Salaman and the new Khalifa Bin Salman Port, 13km from the Bahrain International Airport and only 40km from Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia, and also sports onsite customs operations
Land and warehousing is available with the Bahrain Logistics Zone - the first tenant will be CEVA logistics of the Netherlands in a purpose built 10,000 sq m warehouse. The $280m Bahrain Logistics Zone has already gained the attention of international logistics players and in 2008 signed leasing contracts with major international names in the logistics industry including Danzas and CEVA.
Plans to increase the size of the BLZ site by 150 per cent from the current 475,000 square meters of leasable land could attract up to $600m in direct investment.

Bahrain Investment Wharf
At the start of 2009, 97% of the landmark Bahrain Investment Wharf (BIW) has been sold out. The BIW project has provided a boost to Bahrain's economic infrastructure. The remaining 3% of the BIW is earmarked for road network and accessory services.

 
Rail Infrastructure
Bahrain will benefit from the prospective GCC railway. The GCC 1,500km rail link is expected to receive approval in summer 2009. The railway will follow the Arabian Gulf coastline from Kuwait to Oman, via Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE

Road Infrastructure 
Bahrain benefits from excellent transport links throughout the region with easy access to Gulf markets, especially Saudi Arabia (King Fahd Causeway is a 30 minute 25km drive) and as of 2013, the Bahrain-Qatar Friendship Causeway will provide direct access to Qatar (30 minute drive). A transport corridor is planned to run between the Khalifa Bin Salman Port and the King Fahd Causeway, as well as increasing capacity in on the major arteries between the causeway, airport, ports and industrial zones. $694m of ongoing investment has been pledged to other major projects, such as the reconstruction of the Sitra crossing and the Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway

Qatar Bahrain Causeway 
Construction for the 45km causeway between Bahrain and Qatar will begin mid-2009 - this will be the longest man made sea-bridge in the world. The four-lane highway is expected to cut the travel time by car between Qatar and Bahrain from four and half hours to around 30 minutes.

The $5.5 billion project will take four years to complete and will open in 2013 - the original design has been amended to also potentially include a high speed rail link between Manama and Doha. When completed, oil and gas related products will be able to be transported from the Bahrain Logistics Zone to the country with the world's third largest gas reserves in under an hour. The project includes freight and passenger rail lines providing a direct connection for high speed freight and passenger trains

Education & Training 
Bahrain has been at the vanguard of educational progress within the region, establishing the Gulf's first public education system in 1919 and giving its female population equal access to the Kingdom's educational resources.  Schooling is free and compulsory for all Bahrainis and the Kingdom boasts an 87% adult literacy rate - among the highest in the region with almost 11% of all government expenditure directed towards education.

Reforms
Education spending accounted for 10.8% of all government spending in 2006. Recent government reforms have included a teacher training program, a new polytechnic college, improvement of the upper-secondary vocational program and a quality assurance initiative which will raise accreditation standards and inspections for the education system and rank the performance of the system through regular national exams. The said reforms have been put in place to avoid a skills crunch further down the line. Over the next decade an additional 100,000 Bahrainis are expected to enter the job market.

A new Quality Assurance Authority for Education and Training (QAA) was launched in February 2009. The QAA will review and assess schools, universities and training institutes, as well as conduct national exams. The body will raise Educational standards within Bahrain.
The QAA operates four monitoring units:
- Schools Review Unit
- Vocational Review Unit
- Higher Education Review Unit
- National Examinations Unit

Tamkeen, Bahrain's independent authority which formulates strategic and operational plans to enhance the overall prosperity of Bahrain by investing in Bahraini employability and job creation has made a $100 million investment to provide more than 18,000 Bahraini nationals with sector-specific skills training via a four year plan. 

Higher Education
As the platform for developing professional capacities and improving the career choices of Bahrainis, higher education takes the lead in providing cutting-edge skills necessary to thrive in an increasing global competitive environment.  There are a vast number of specialist colleges offering courses in subjects such as finance, medicine, and IT.
• University of Bahrain
The University of Bahrain plays host to regular business symposia. For example, in December 2008 the University discussed the role and future of Islamic banking.  The event is considered to be one of the most prominent and largest student activities in the Kingdom.
• Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance
The Institute (BIBF) is host to the Centre for Islamic Finance. In January 2009, the centre for Islamic Finance received the CPI Financial Islamic Business and Finance 'World's Best Islamic Training Institution Award' for 2008.
• DePaul University
• New York Institute of Technology
• RCSI-Medical University of Bahrain
• Arab Open University
• Royal University for Women
• Arabian Gulf University

Vocational & Specialized training centers
Vocational institutes prepare youth to enter a workforce with a practical skill related to specific trade. Several institutes in Bahrain have been successful in endowing learners with skills that related to a specific trade, occupation or vocation. Vocational education is available across various industries such as tourism, hotel management, retail and technology.

Leading international and Bahraini schools
Bahrain is served by more than 200 primary and secondary schools including 30 private schools that offer curricula from the UK, US, France, Japan, Pakistan and India. 

For a complete list of private schools in Bahrain
EduTrain@bahrain & Research@bahrain
@bahrain is a unique commercial, educational and entertainment destination that is strategically located on 1 million square meters next to the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), 'The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East'. @bahrain provides rich, cutting edge experiences that span 10 interconnected industry sectors: Exhibition & Convention Facility; Hotels; Multi-Purpose Indoor Arena; Lifestyle Plaza incorporating Retail & Leisure and Techtainment; Auto Club and Engineering Facility; Research Institute; Technopark; Light Industry; and Education and Training.

Bahrain is a state-of-the-art location for business growth ; attracting foreign direct investment, joint venture partnership arrangements, direct ownership and landlord-tenant relationships. Bahrain is an international trend-setter, with a focus on environmental advocacy and innovative technological practices, ensuring that the overall composition of the business will inspire future commercial strategies in the region.

Bahrain businesses and foreign partners can be confident that the education and training offered Bahrain will provide an appropriately skilled local workforce. EduTrain@Bahrain will partner with associated local governmental entities to create training opportunities for Bahrainis, as well as working closely with the local community and educational institutions to foster job skills and professional development.

Research@Bahrain will include a premier research facility where top minds will meet to tackle challenges of the future. Bahrain's research will be conducted onsite and will offer services to the transport industry. Other commercially feasible research opportunities will be investigated. The institute also promotes Bahrain as a world leader in the development and implementation of applied research, assurance, training, safety and sustainability programs.

MICE
Bahrain's MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conferences and Exhibitions) sector has seen a 35 percent increase in demand, resulting in Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority (BECA) achieving a record bottom line in the fourth quarter of 2008. This was revealed at the fourth quarter 2008 BECA board of directors presentation chaired by His Excellency Dr. Hassan Abdulla Fakhro, Minister of Industry & Commerce (Source: BECA). 

Conference Centers
It's easy to understand why Bahrain is a perfect location for event organizers and MICE. For starters, Bahrain has numerous 5-star hotels with ample spaces that could be readjusted based on the size of attendees for spacious events, exhibitions and gatherings. The fact that hotels house these functions means that the catering is of high standards and so guests do not have to be far away from the convention centers to attend the events. All these hotels have business centers and are Wi-Fi equipped, providing a business friendly environment for both visitors and organizers.

In addition to hotel venues, the Bahrain International Exhibition & Conference Centre operated by the Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority (BECA) is the largest convention centre in Bahrain. BECA owns and produces international B2B and B2C shows. It is represented in Union des Foires Internationales (France), International Congress & Convention Association (Netherlands), Association of Event Venues (UK), Society of Incentive Travel Executives (USA), Asian Federation of Exhibition & Convention Association (Singapore) and the AIPC ; International Association of Congress Centres (Belgium).

Currently in development, Bahrain is a unique commercial, educational and entertainment destination that is strategically located on 1 million square meters next to the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), 'The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East'. Bahrain provides rich, cutting edge experiences that span 10 interconnected industry sectors: Exhibition & Convention Facility; Hotels; Multi-Purpose Indoor Arena; Lifestyle Plaza incorporating Retail & Leisure and Techtainment; Auto Club and Engineering Facility; Research Institute; Technopark; Light Industry; and Education and Training.

Bahrain will be home to the Middle East's premier Exhibition and Convention Facility, designed to hold national, regional and international events simultaneously. The facility offers 100,000 square meters of flexible exhibition and convention space. With the capacity to hold roughly 5,000 plus delegates and up to 30,000 visitors daily, the design will allow for potential future expansion to meet growing demand.
Expo@Bahrain offers proximity to the BIC and allows event organizers to facilitate unique entertainment and leisure options incorporating the Formula 1 track. Accommodation, dining and entertainment services are provided on site to complement the state-of-the-art exhibition and convention facilities. Expo@Bahrain conventions will be environmentally conscious, and will contribute to reducing the carbon footprint by providing an environmentally friendly infrastructure for event participants and visitors. Bahrain will contain three hotel facilities for all tastes and budgets, with 5-star, 4-star and 3-star hotels, all of which will meet or exceed international standards.  The hotel sector will offer Bahrain the opportunity to partner with top international hotel names, adding global name recognition to the onsite accommodations.

Together the hotels will offer 1,200 rooms with a convenient onsite location and allow for extra capacity to meet Bahrain's wider tourism potential. The proximity to Expo@Bahrain will support the demand for large-scale international conferences in Bahrain. Hotels@Bahrain will accommodate a variety of guests and clients, including VIPs expecting the highest standards of luxury; Formula 1 spectators who want to stay near the heart of the action; delegates and visitors to Expo@Bahrain; and individuals attending entertainment at the Arena@bahrain. For more information, visit www.atbahrain.com.bh.

MICE
Bahrain's MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conferences and Exhibitions) sector has seen a 35 percent increase in demand, resulting in Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority (BECA) achieving a record bottom line in the fourth quarter of 2008. This was revealed at the fourth quarter 2008 BECA board of directors presentation chaired by His Excellency Dr. Hassan Abdulla Fakhro, Minister of Industry & Commerce (Source: BECA). 

Conference Centers
It's easy to understand why Bahrain is a perfect location for event organizers and MICE. For starters, Bahrain has numerous 5-star hotels with ample spaces that could be readjusted based on the size of attendees for spacious events, exhibitions and gatherings. The fact that hotels house these functions means that the catering is of high standards and so guests do not have to be far away from the convention centers to attend the events. All these hotels have business centers and are Wi-Fi equipped, providing a business friendly environment for both visitors and organizers.

In addition to hotel venues, the Bahrain International Exhibition & Conference Centre operated by the Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority (BECA) is the largest convention centre in Bahrain. BECA owns and produces international B2B and B2C shows. It is represented in Union des Foires Internationales (France), International Congress & Convention Association (Netherlands), Association of Event Venues (UK), Society of Incentive Travel Executives (USA), Asian Federation of Exhibition & Convention Association (Singapore) and the AIPC ; International Association of Congress Centres (Belgium).

Currently in development, Bahrain is a unique commercial, educational and entertainment destination that is strategically located on 1 million square meters next to the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), 'The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East. Bahrain provides rich, cutting edge experiences that span 10 interconnected industry sectors: Exhibition & Convention Facility; Hotels; Multi-Purpose Indoor Arena; Lifestyle Plaza incorporating Retail & Leisure and Techtainment; Auto Club and Engineering Facility; Research Institute; Technopark; Light Industry; and Education and Training.

Bahrain will be home to the Middle East's premier Exhibition and Convention Facility, designed to hold national, regional and international events simultaneously. The facility offers 100,000 square meters of flexible exhibition and convention space. With the capacity to hold roughly 5,000 plus delegates and up to 30,000 visitors daily, the design will allow for potential future expansion to meet growing demand.
Expo@Bahrain offers proximity to the BIC and allows event organizers to facilitate unique entertainment and leisure options incorporating the Formula 1 track. Accommodation, dining and entertainment services are provided on site to complement the state-of-the-art exhibition and convention facilities. Expo@Bahrain conventions will be environmentally conscious, and will contribute to reducing the carbon footprint by providing an environmentally friendly infrastructure for event participants and visitors.
Bahrain will contain three hotel facilities for all tastes and budgets, with 5-star, 4-star and 3-star hotels, all of which will meet or exceed international standards.  The hotel sector will offer Bahrain the opportunity to partner with top international hotel names, adding global name recognition to the onsite accommodations.
Together the hotels will offer 1,200 rooms with a convenient onsite location and allow for extra capacity to meet Bahrain's wider tourism potential. The proximity to Expo@Bahrain will support the demand for large-scale international conferences in Bahrain. Hotels@Bahrain will accommodate a variety of guests and clients, including VIPs expecting the highest standards of luxury; Formula 1 spectators who want to stay near the heart of the action; delegates and visitors to Expo@Bahrain; and individuals attending entertainment at the Arena@bahrain. For more information, visit www.atbahrain.com.bh.

Dilmunia
Bahrain Financial Harbour
Riffa Views
Durrat Al-Bahrain
Amwaj Islands
Al-Areen Development
Bahrain Bay
Bahrain World Trade Centre
@Bahrain
Reef Island
Abraj Al-Lulu (Pearl Towers)
Tala Island
Bahrain Investment Wharf
Mina al Salam - Bahrain

Last update: 2010/03/07 14:43:03.222 GMT+1   Liens en dur  Annuaire du SosBok


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