Bahrain Passes Over 1,900 Economic Laws Since 2002, Says Finance Minister
Over $6.5 billion in investments were attracted in 2023 and 2024 combined.
Bahrain has enacted more than 1,900 economic and investment-related laws since 2002 as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the Kingdom's economic environment, announced Minister of Finance and National Economy, Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.
Speaking at the opening of the Economic Forum hosted by the Shura Council under the theme 'Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Development,' the minister highlighted key legislative milestones, including the Commercial Companies Law. He also noted that Bahrain is the only country in the world that guarantees full data sovereignty.
Among the other significant laws he cited were the Labour Market Regulation Law and the Reorganization and Bankruptcy Law, in addition to the establishment of the Bahrain International Commercial Court, which has positioned Bahrain as the second international hub for resolving cross-border commercial disputes.
Economic Recovery and Job Creation
Shaikh Salman presented an overview of Bahrain's Economic Recovery Plan, first announced in late 2021, revealing that 80% of its objectives have already been implemented. The plan includes national strategies that align with global economic shifts, prioritizing employment, business development, and sustainability.
One of the plan's key goals has been job creation, with a focus on making Bahraini citizens the first choice in the labor market. In support of this, 29,995 citizens were employed in 2022, with a similar number hired in 2023, and 27,147 more finding employment in 2024.
Strategic Investment and Mega Projects
The Minister also underscored Bahrain's success in attracting major investments. The Kingdom secured over $2.5 billion in investments in 2023 and more than $4 billion in 2024, driven by streamlined commercial procedures and the implementation of major strategic development projects across diverse sectors.
'These projects are not just infrastructural—they represent a broader strategy to transform and future-proof Bahrain's economic landscape,' Shaikh Salman noted.
Sustained Economic Growth
Bahrain has achieved a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% over the past two decades—surpassing the global average of 5% during the same period. Since 2004, the size of the national economy has quadrupled.
Additionally, the contribution of non-oil sectors to Bahrain's GDP has grown from 67% in 2004 to 86% in 2024, making Bahrain's economy one of the most diversified in the region.
The forum brought together experts, lawmakers, and policymakers to discuss Bahrain's economic vision and its transition toward sustainable and inclusive growth in a rapidly evolving global economy.
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