Parliamentarians push for tax breaks, incentives to turn Bahrain into a high-tech hub
The Financial and Economic Affairs Committee has backed the plan, arguing that it would diversify the economy, reduce reliance on oil, and create new job opportunities.
Proposed by MPs Ahmed Al Salloom, Khalid Buanaq, Mohammed Al Ma'arifi, and Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, the initiative calls for Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company to forge partnerships with private firms—both local and international—to develop homegrown expertise in advanced technologies.
The report highlights that high-tech industries are essential for economic sustainability, citing China, South Korea, and Singapore as examples of nations that have invested heavily in artificial intelligence, automation, and advanced manufacturing.
Key measures in the proposal include tax and customs exemptions to attract global companies, government procurement policies favouring local tech firms, and the establishment of research and training centres to equip Bahrainis with industry skills. The committee also recommends easing investment regulations and cutting bureaucracy to make Bahrain a more attractive destination for tech-driven businesses.
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