Bahrain TIP and Water Report

Trade Information Packet
Kingdom of Bahrain
January 2012
Prepared by
Hasan AlShuwaikh
Mahmood Mahmood
WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego

2980 Pacific Highway
San Diego, CA 92101
Tel: 619.615.0868
Fax: 619.615.0876
www.wtcsd.org
WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego Kingdom of Bahrain January 2012

Page 1 of 48
Table of Contents
Background ..................................................................................................................... 3
Map ................................................................................................................................. 4
Geography ...................................................................................................................... 4
Demographics ................................................................................................................. 6
Political Framework ......................................................................................................... 7
Communication ............................................................................................................... 9
Transportation ................................................................................................................. 9
Military ........................................................................................................................... 10
Economic Environment ................................................................................................. 10
Trade Overview ............................................................................................................. 14
National Trade with the USA ......................................................................................... 15
Trade Regulations and Standards ................................................................................. 16
Leading Sectors of U.S. Exports ................................................................................... 20
Business Travel ............................................................................................................. 29
Water Report in the Kingdom of Bahrain ....................................................................... 32
Bahrains Five Main Desalination Plants ....................................................................... 33
Water Consumption by Month 000,000 Gallons (1997-2007) ................................. 34
Daily Average Consumption by Month 000,000 Gallons (1997-2007) ..................... 35
Water Production 000,000 Gallons (1997-2007) ..................................................... 36
Important Contacts ........................................................................................................ 37
Names of the top officials at the Electricity & Water Authority ....................................... 37
Related Websites ............................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
World Trade Center Locations ...................................................................................... 45
Appendix ....................................................................................................................... 46
Sources ......................................................................................................................... 48

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BACKGROUND
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 Shia community. Shia political societies participated in 2010
parliamentary and municipal elections. Al Wifaq, the largest Shia political society, won
the largest number of seats in the elected chamber of the legislature. However, Shia
discontent has resurfaced in recent years with street demonstrations and occasional
low-level violence.
In early 2011, Bahrain's opposition sought to ride a rising tide of popular Arab protests
to voice their political and social woes. In mid-February, on the tenth anniversary
marking the King's initiation of his democratic reform initiative, a vanguard of youth
internet activists- who rejected the legitimacy of the Al Khalifa regime- organized
demonstrations around Bahrain demanding a new constitution, release of hundreds of
Shia political prisoners, and an end to discriminations in all sectors of society. Cycles of
protestor deaths, funerals, and clashes with security forces ensued, escalating domestic
tensions and leading Wifaq legislators to formally resign from the national legislature in
protest in late-March 2011. The government's offers of modest political and economic
concessions went and the king's "national dialogue" with the opposition - led by his son,
the reform-minded Crown Prince - also languished in disagreements over procedure
and preconditions. In mid-March 2011, with the backing of Gulf Cooperation Council
(GCC) capitals - especially Riyadh and Abu Dhabi - King Hamad put an end to the mass
public gatherings by declaring a state of emergency and authorizing the military to take
all measures to "protect the safety of the country and its citizens." The government also
welcomed a contingent of mostly Saudi and Emirati forces as part of a GCC deployment
to help Bahraini security forces suppress the protests. By mid-April security forces had
largely relegated demonstrations to outlying Shia neighborhoods and villages, and
negotiations between the government and opposition reached a stalemate. The
government exacted retribution against opposition groups and their supporters through
mass firings, arrests, and sectarian incitement.

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MAP
GEOGRAPHY
- Location:
Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, East of Saudi Arabia.
- Area:
Total: 760 sq km
Country comparison to the world: 188
Land: 760 sq km
Water: 0 sq km
Coastline 161 km
3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
- Land Boundaries:
0 km
No countries
- Climate:
Arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers

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- Terrain:
Mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment
- Elevation Extremes:
Lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
Highest point: Jabal al Dukhan 122 m
- Natural Resources:
Oil, associated and non-associated natural gas, fish, pearls
- Land Use:
Arable land: 2.82%
Permanent crops: 5.63%
Other: 91.55% (2005)
- Total Renewable
Water Resources:
0.1 cu km (1997)
- Fresh Water Withdrawal

(Domestic/Industrial/
Agricultural):
Total: 0.3 cu km/yr (40%/3%/57%)
Per capita: 411 cu m/yr (2000)
- Natural Hazards:
Periodic droughts; dust storms
- Environment
Current Issue:
Desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of
drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs,
and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large
tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources
(groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs).
- Environment
International
Agreement:
Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, and
Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements.

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- Geography Note: Close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources;
strategic location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's
petroleum must transit to reach open ocean
DEMOGRAPHICS
- Nationality:
Noun: Bahraini(s)
Adjective: Bahraini
- Ethnic Groups:
Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001 census)
- Religions:
Muslim (Shia and Sunni) 70.2%, other 29.8%
- Languages:
Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu
- Literacy:
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 86.5%
Male: 88.6%
Female: 83.6% (2001 census)
- Population:
1,214,705
Note: includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2011 est.)
- Age Structure:
0-14 years: 20.5% (male 126,313 /female 122,359)
15-64 years: 77% (male 595,244/female 339,635)
65 years and over: 2.6% (male 14,791/female 16,363) (2011 est.)
- Median Age
Total: 30.9 years
Male: 32.2 years
Female: 28.1 years (2011 est.)
- Population Growth
Rate:
2.184% (2011 est.)

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- Total Fertility Rate:
1.88% children born/woman (2011 est.)
- Education
Expenditure:
2.9% of GDP (2008)
POLITICAL FRAMEWORK
- Official Name:
Kingdom of Bahrain
- Capital:
Manama
- Government Type:
Constitutional Monarchy
- Administrative Divisions:
5 governorates; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat. Note: each
governorate administered by an appointed governor.
- Flag:
Red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a white serrated
band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars
of Islam.
Note: Until 2002 the flag had eight white points, but this was reduced to five to
avoid confusion with the Qatari flag.

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- Legal System:
Based on Islamic law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction.
- Executive Branch:
Chief of state: King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir
Apparent Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa (son of the monarch, born
21 October 1969).
Head of government: Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa (since 1971);
Deputy Prime Ministers Ali bin Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, Muhammed bin
Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Jawad bin Salim Al-Araidh.
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch.
Elections: The monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch.
- Legislative Branch: Bicameral legislature consists of the Consultative Council

(40 members appointed by the King) and the Council of Representatives or
Chamber of Deputies (40 seats; members directly elected to serve four-year
terms).
Elections: Council of Representatives - last held in two rounds on 23 and 30
October 2010 (next election to be held in 2014).
Council of Representatives Election Results: al Wifaq (Shia) 18, al Asala (Sunni
Salafi) 3, al Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 2, independents 17.
- Judicial Branch:
High Civil Appeal Court.
- Political Parties and Leaders:

Political parties prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005
law.
- Political Pressure Leaders:

Shia activists; Sunni Islamist legislators. Other: several small leftist and other
groups are active
- International Organization Participation:

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB,
IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO,
ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

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COMMUNICATION
- Telephones- Main lines in use:
238,400 (2009). Country comparison to the world: 123
- Telephones- Mobile cellular:

1.578 million (2009). Country comparison to the world: 137
- Telephone System:
General assessment: Modern system
Domestic: Modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly
growing use of mobile-cellular telephones
International: country code - 973; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around
the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle
East, Europe, and US; tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio
relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth station - 1 (2007)
- Broadcast Media:
State-run broadcast media; Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC)
operates 5 terrestrial TV networks; satellite TV systems provide access to
international broadcasts; state-run BRTC broadcasts over several radio stations;
1 private FM station directs broadcasts to Indian listeners; radio and TV
broadcasts from countries in the region are available (2007)
- Internet Country Code: .bh
- Internet Hosts: 53,944 (2010)
- Internet Users: 419,500 (2009)
TRANSPORTATION
- Airports: Total: 4. country comparison to the world: 184
- Airports with paved runways:

Total: 4
Over 3,047m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2010)
- Heliports: Total: 1
- Pipelines: Gas 20 km; Oil 32 km (2009)
- Roadways:
Total: 3,851 km. Country comparison to the world: 158
Paved: 3,121 km

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Unpaved: 730 km (2007)
- Merchant Marine: Total: 7

By type: bulk carrier 2, container 4, and petroleum tanker 1
Foreign-owned: 5 (Kuwait 5)
Registered in other countries: 6 (Honduras 5, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1) (2010)
- Ports and Terminals: Mina' Salman, Khalifa Port, and Sitrah.
MILITARY
- Military Branches:
Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF): Ground Force (includes Air Defense), Naval
Force, Air Force, National Guard
- Military service age and obligation:

17 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for NCOs,
technicians, and cadets; no conscription (2010)
- Manpower available for military service:

Males age 16-49: 208,365
Females age 16-49: 174,375 (2010 est.)
- Manpower fit for military service:
Males age 16-49: 170,633
Females age 16-49: 146,243 (2010 est.)
- Manpower reaching military significant age annually:

Male: 6,590
Female: 6,475 (2010 est.)
- Military Expenditures:
4.5% of GDP (2006)
ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
Bahrain is one of the most diversified economies in the Persian Gulf. Highly
developed communication and transport facilities make Bahrain home to
numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. As part of its
diversification plans, Bahrain implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with
the US in August 2006, the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state. Bahrain's
economy, however, continues to depend heavily on oil. Petroleum production
and refining account for more than 60% of Bahrain's export receipts, 70% of
government revenues, and 11% of GDP (exclusive of allied industries). Other

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major economic activities are production of aluminum - Bahrain's second biggest
export after oil - finance, and construction. Bahrain competes with Malaysia as a
worldwide center for Islamic banking and continues to seek new natural gas
supplies as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum
industries. Unemployment, especially among the young, is a long-term economic
problem Bahrain struggles to address. In 2009, to help lower unemployment
among Bahraini nationals, Bahrain reduced sponsorship for expatriate workers,
increasing the costs of employing foreign labor. The global financial crisis caused
funding for many non-oil projects to dry up and resulted in slower economic
growth for Bahrain. Other challenges facing Bahrain include the slow growth of
government debt as a result of a large subsidy program, the financing of large
government projects, and debt restructuring, such as the bailout of state-owned
Gulf Air.
Overview:
- GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $29.71 billion (2010 est.)
- GDP (Official exchange rate): $2.66 billion (2009 est.)
- GDP -Real Growth: 4.1% (2010 est.)
- GDP Per Capital: $40,300 (2010 est.)
- GDP Composition by Sector:

Agriculture: 0.5%
Industry: 57.3%
Services: 42.2% (2010 est.)
- Labor Force:
656,200
Note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2010 est.).
- Labor force -by occupation:

Agriculture: 1%
Industry: 79%
Services: 20% (1997 est.)
- Unemployment Rate: 15% (2005 est.)

- Investment (Gross fit): 26.7% of GDP (2010 est.)

- Budget: Revenues: $5.61 billion

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Expenditures: $6.128 billion (2010 est.)
- Public Debt: 65.8% of GDP (2010 est.)

41.8% of GDP (2009 est.)
- Inflation Rate (Consumer prices): 2% (2010 est.)

2.8% (2009 est.)
- Stock of domestic credit: $17.26 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

- Market value of publicly trade shares: $16.93 billion (31 December 2009)
- Agriculture products: fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish

- Industries: Petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron
pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing,
tourism.
- Industrial production growth: 1.5% (2009 est.)

- Electricity production: 10.25 billion kWh (2007 est.)

- Electricity consumption: 10.1 billion kWh (2007 est.)

- Electricity exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.)
- Electricity imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.)
- Oil production: 48,560 bbl/day (2009 est.)

- Oil consumption: 39,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

- Oil exports: 238,300 bbl/day (2007 est.)

- Oil imports: 228,400 bbl/day (2007 est.)


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- Oil proved reserves: 124.6 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
- Natural gas proved reserve: 92.03 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

- Current account balance: $589 million (2010 est.)

- Exports: $14.61 billion (2010 est.)

- Exports commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles
- Export partners: India 4.2%, United States 3.07% Saudi Arabia 2.78% (2009)
- Imports: $11.91 billion (2010 est.)
- Imports -commodities: Crude oil, machinery, chemicals.
- Imports partners: Saudi Arabia 22.91%, France 9.76%, US 7.95%, China 6.4%,
South Korea 5.26%, Japan 5.19%, Germany 5.01%, UK 4.34% (2009).
- Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $4.495 billion (31 December 2010
est.)
- External debt: $14.77 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
- Stocks of direct foreign investments at home: $15.77 billion (31 December

2010 est.)
- Stocks of direct foreign investments abroad: $8.399 billion (31 December

2010 est.)
- Exchange rate: Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar - 0.376 (2010),

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TRADE OVERVIEW
As part of the GCC Customs Union, member countries are working toward
unifying their standards and conformity assessment systems, and have progressed
considerably toward the goal of a unified food standard targeted for adoption by 2011.
However, each country currently applies either its own standard or a GCC standard,
which can cause confusion for businesses. Bahraini standards are required to meet
national requirements (safety, quality, and fitness for purpose), as prepared by the
respective technical committees. Most often, Bahraini standards are adoptions of
international or Gulf standards and the development of standards in Bahrain is based on
the following principles: a) no Bahraini standard is to be developed if there is an
identical draft Gulf standard in existence, b) developing new Bahraini standards must
not create trade barriers.
The total number of Gulf standards adopted as Bahraini standards currently

stands at 1,020, out of which 320 are mandatory and 700 are voluntary. There are also
approximately 438 draft Gulf standards in the pipeline. In June 2008, GCC Finance
Ministers agreed to establish a committee to oversee standards that can be easily
adopted, especially in regard to food products. Bahrains Standards and Metrology
Directorate (BSMD) is a government institution within the Ministry of Industry and
Commerce. It is responsible, in accordance with Legislative Decree No. 16 of 1985 on
Standards and Metrology, as amended by Legislative Decree No. 13 of 1992, for
issuing Bahrains standards, either by adopting as national standards the international
or Gulf standards issued by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Standards and
Metrology Organization, or by preparing standards to meet national requirements.
The BSMD is led by a National Committee that acts as the Board of Directors. This
board, made up of representatives from relevant ministries and the Chamber of
Commerce as well as individual experts, is the highest authority on standards and
metrology. The BSMD consists of two sections: the Standards & Information section
and Quality Assurance & Metrology section. Standardization in Bahrain can be traced
back to the late 1960s when traffic was shifted from the left to the right side of the road,
and liquid measures were converted from the imperial gallon to the liter. The pound was
used for mass measurements, and the foot, yard, and mile for length and area
measurements. The changeover to the metric system set the pace for standardization in
Bahrain.

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NATIONAL TRADE WITH THE USA
(Cumulative Year to Date through November 2010)
Exports Imports
SITC Description
Customs Value
F.A.S Value Basis
Basis
1 Food and live animals 46,749 405
2 Beverages and tobacco 821 -
Crude materials, inedible ;

3 5,332 80
except fuels
Mineral fuels, lubricants and

4 24,312 29
related materials
Animal and vegetable oils,

5. 21 -
fats and waxes
Chemicals and related

6. 49,752 73,354
products
Manufactured goods
7. 34,860 97,059
classified chiefly by material
Machinery and transport

8. 1,000,974 4,424
equipment
Miscellaneous manufactured
9. 89,505 43,075
articles
10. Other 149,573 19344
Total 1,401,899 237,770

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TRADE REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
Import Tariffs:
In January 2003, Bahrain took a step toward further GCC integration by ratifying the
GCC Unified Customs Union. The agreement eliminated tariffs for GCC member states
on 417 items (primarily food and medical products), and lowered to five percent its
import duties on all other commodities except alcohol (125% duty) and tobacco (100%
duty). The GCC countries also have a unified tariff standard and a single-point-of-entry
system.
According to the GCC Secretary General for Economic Affairs, intra-GCC trade rose
from $33.8 billion in 2001 to approximately $52.8 billion in 2007, an increase of 56
percent. The Government made several changes to its customs duties regime to comply
with the newly established GCC Unified Customs Union. New customs classifications
are as follows:
Includes 417 listed

Duty Exempt commodities, mostly food
and medical products.
All other commodities,
5 percent import except tobacco and
duty alcoholic beverages.
Tobacco.
100 percent import
duty
Alcoholic beverages.
125 percent import
duty
In principle, no tax or duty is payable on raw material imports, semi-manufactured

goods to be used in manufacturing, imports required for development projects (not
including spare parts), transshipments, and re-exports.
Bahrain has phased out most subsidies for export industries, but permits duty-free
importation of raw materials for export products and of equipment and machinery for
newly established export industries. All industries in Bahrain, including foreign-owned
firms, benefit from government-subsidized utilities.
Foreign products entering or already in the GCC are dealt with as follows:

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- Goods imported to the GCC post January 1st 2003 will be granted entry if the
importer presents certificates issued by the first single-entry point as a proof that
his customs duties have been paid after the establishment of the customs union;
- Goods imported to the GCC post January 1st 2003, and for which the importer
fails to prove payment of customs duties after the establishment of the customs
union, shall have their customs duty collected at the customs point of the country
of final destination;
- The customs declaration for statistical purposes shall be prepared manually by

the owner of the goods or the person who acts on his behalf, or by computer, and
shall be approved at the customs exit point and have the local invoices attached
to it. Invoices are required to detail the correct value and origin of the goods;
- The importer must ensure that the customs authority has made the necessary
endorsements that justify the entry and exit of the goods on the basis of the
statistical declaration.
Trade Barriers:
For health and religious reasons, alcoholic beverages are assessed a 125 percent
customs duty and tobacco products a 100 percent duty. There is no local production of
these goods. As a result of the FTA, prior restrictions on the foreign provision of
engineering, legal, construction services have been lifted; restrictions on pilotage
services remain in effect. In a 2008 GCC Health Ministers meeting, Bahraini officials
agreed to impose a tobacco "health tax" essentially increasing the effective duty on
tobacco by 200 percent.
Import Requirements and Documentation:
Customs Procedures:
Following the completion of the Customs Bill of Entry by the importer or representative
agent, the customs authority stipulates the beginning of the clearing process, composed
of the following:
Statistics Office
Restriction on import and export (Imports and Exports Restriction Office)
Auditing the customs charges and other charges
Payment to Cashier of related charges
Inspection and checking of documents

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Customs regulation:
In general, the following will apply:
No customs duty is payable on goods imported in transit or for trans-shipment;

No customs duty is payable on exports;
Raw materials and equipment for use in manufacturing are exempt from duty
under the Protection and Support Law;
Duty exemption for qualified goods is available under the GCC Trade Exchange,
the Bilateral Trade Agreement, and the Arabian Free Trade Area Agreement;
Exemption is available for goods stored in bonded warehouses;
All other imports are subject to customs duty at rates set in the customs tariff. These
apply on CIF Bahrain value. For imports, Bahraini Customs requires the following
documents:
A Delivery Order issued by the Shipper or the Liners Agent;
A Suppliers commercial invoice in duplicate (in Arabic or English);
A Packing List in duplicate;
A Certificate of Origin in Arabic or English (produced by a Chamber of
Commerce and endorsed by an Arab Embassy);
A copy of the Insurance Certificate, if applicable;
A Bill of Lading (four copies), including gross weight and dimensions;
A bank payment voucher or bank receipt;
A statistical declaration if the final destination for the goods is in one of the GCC
states.
For more information or inquiries please contact:
Bahrain Customs: P.O. Box 15

Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Tel: + (973) 17-725333 Fax: + (973) 17-727556
Website: http://www.bahraincustoms.gov.bh/
E-mail: customs@batelco.com.bh
U.S. Export Controls:
U.S. companies exporting to Bahrain need to apply for an export license from the
Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) if their products or services are controlled for any
of the following reasons: CB1, CB2, CB3, NP1, NS1, NS2, MT1, RS1, RS2, CC1, and
CC3. If a firm does not know its export commodity control number, it should contact its
local U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) for more information on BIS commodity
classification. Additional information about the types of products covered may be
obtained from the State Departments Directorate of Defense Trade or the Commerce
Departments Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).

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Temporary Entry:
The government of Bahrain opened a Free Trade Zone that started in the beginning of
2009. Facilities located in Mina Salman and Mina Khalifa may be used for the temporary
import of goods for re-export.
Labeling and Marketing Requirements:
By law, food labels must include product and brand names, production and expiration
dates, country of origin, name and address of manufacturer, net weight in metric units,
and a list of ingredients in descending order of magnitude. All fats and oils used as
ingredients must be specifically identified on the label. Labels must be in Arabic or in
Arabic/English. Stickers are not accepted. Small quantities of products in English-only
labels may be approved for import on a case-by-case basis for test marketing purposes.
Pork products, or products containing pork or pork lard, should be clearly identified as
such on the label. Products found to contain traces of pork that are not so labeled will
be confiscated and possibly banned from future import for a specified period of time.
Prohibited Imports:
According to the Bahrain Customs and Ports Directorate Handbook, a number of items
are prohibited from import. These include:
Irradiated food products;
Weapons, except under special license;
Pornography and materials considered salacious;
Wild animals;
Radio-controlled model airplanes;
Childrens toys containing methyl chloride and other articles
Foodstuffs and sweets containing cyclamates.
Manufacturers must present a certificate verifying that foods do not contain cyclamates.
Drugs and medicines may only be imported by a drug store or pharmacy licensed by the
Ministry of Health (MOH).
Bahrain requires that pharmaceutical products be imported directly from a manufacturer

with a research department and that the products be licensed in at least two other GCC
countries, one of which must be Saudi Arabia. Drugs and medicines may be imported
only by a drug store or pharmacy licensed by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce
after approval by the Ministry of Health. Bahrain prohibits the importation of weapons
(except under special license), pornography, wild animals, radio-controlled model
airplanes, foodstuffs containing cyclamates, and childrens toys containing methyl
chloride (and other articles declared harmful by the Ministry of Health). Bahrain is also
taking steps to ban the import of 132 chemicals based on a memorandum passed by
the Ministry of Health in June of 2008.

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All imported beef and poultry products require a health certificate issued by the country
of export, and a Halal slaughter certificate issued by an approved Islamic center in that
country.
For an up-to-date copy of the prohibited items list, please visit Bahrain's Customs
website: http://www.bahraincustoms.gov.bh.
Sanctions imposed on imports:
As a member of the Arab League, Bahrain is officially committed to enforcement of the

primary aspect of the Arab League's boycott of Israel, but enforcement is lax. Bahrain
does not enforce the secondary or tertiary aspects of the boycott. Occasionally, U.S.
citizens and firms encounter tender documents that specify participation in the boycott,
which U.S. firms cannot legally sign. Document language in such instances is usually
quickly adjusted. The government of Bahrain has made efforts to withdraw all old tender
documents, and new articles were drafted in harmony with WTO requirements.
Export Subsidies:
Bahrain has phased out most subsidies for export industries, but permits duty-free
importation of raw materials for export products and of equipment and machinery for
newly established export industries. All industries in Bahrain, including foreign-owned
firms, benefit from government-subsidized utilities.
LEADING SECTORS OF US EXPORTS
Motor Vehicles and Vehicles Products:
It is expected that U.S. automobile exports to Bahrain will remain strong through 2009.
U.S. car dealerships in Bahrain attribute strong sales to the FTA and the relatively
weakened value of the dollar.
The U.S. dollar value has reduced the cost of U.S. manufactured vehicles in relation to
European models. The overall market for U.S.-made auto parts is declining due to Asian
and Saudi competition. However, there are opportunities in niche markets (brake pads,
oil filters) and auto accessories (wax, lubricants) where American products are preferred
for their high quality.
Bahrainis value U.S. cars for their safety, comfort, interior design, and capacity to
accommodate large families. U.S. car sales also benefit from an overall expanding
market. According to the Bahrain General Directorate of Traffic, 287, 000 vehicles were
registered in Bahrain in 2007, and registration is increasing 6.2 percent per year on
average, suggesting an estimated 311, 000 vehicle registrations in 2008.

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Medical Equipment/Healthcare:
Bahrain has a modern health system. All Bahrainis receive Free State health care. Most
companies offer their expatriate workers some sort of health coverage, either through
insurance companies, in which case rates are negotiable, or through arrangements with
one or more of the local private hospitals. There is an $8 fee for expatriates attending
an emergency clinic in a government hospital. In 2006, Bahrains health services sector
showed significant growth, which is likely to continue. In 2004, work began on the
construction of the $80 million King Hamad Hospital in Muharraq expected to finish in
2009, the expansion of the Joslin Diabetes Center, and the establishment of other
clinics also began in 2004. The Government of Bahrain encourages the private sector to
enter the health care market and thus share the cost of services. It is also drawing up
plans to attract international hospitals in order to promote health tourism. The
government encourages the private sector to play a greater role in the healthcare. The
Bahrain Development Bank (BDB) assists the healthcare sector by giving loans, totaling
$18 million in 2008. A "medical city" is under development as part of a $114 million
investment by Ithmaar Investment Bank-- the reclaimed land near Amwaj Island is
already under contract.
Current plans for the health services sector include the construction of a third large
public hospital, the King Hamad Hospital in Muharraq, due to open in 2009. The Royal
College of Surgeons will use the medical facilities as a learning hospital. In the private
sector, the Boston-based Joslin Diabetes Center (JDC) constructed its first facility
outside the U.S. in Bahrain in 2003. Due to increased demand for diabetes treatment in
Bahrain and the Gulf, in 2004, JDC announced plans to expand the existing facility with
an additional building. In 2002, a $45 million private hospital, the Bahrain Specialist
Hospital (BSH), contributed to the growth in the countrys private medical services with
the establishment of the Ibn Al Nafees Hospital.
In 2006, the largest hospital in Bahrain the state-run Salmaniya Medical Complex
spent $12.5 million to replace its medical equipment. It is looking to replace patient vital-
sign monitors, infant incubators, ventilators, infusion pumps, and also to acquire a deep
X-ray therapy machine.
In a step towards reducing the load on government health services, the Ministry of
Health (MOH) has also announced that the upper house (the Shura Council) of the
legislative branch, or National Assembly, has proposed a draft legislation that
introduces compulsory health insurance for non-Bahrainis. The current statistical MOH
figures indicate that only 10 percent of Bahrains patients receive private treatment. The
MOH has recognized the urgency of investments in the health sector is planning to
establish a liaison office, dedicated to attract investment in the health sector.
Ministry of Health officials recently announced that the government might start
outsourcing certain jobs, including the management of both medical and non-medical
services in the $80 million King Hamad Hospital. The Ministry of Health has also
identified areas for investment, which include: the pharmaceutical industry, drug

Page 21 of 48
packaging and distribution, health complementary services (ex. producing of syringes),
health support services, health resorts, health education and training, medical research
centers, information technology and biotechnology.
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Equipments:
Bahrain's climate requires air conditioning most of the year due to high temperatures
and high humidity. Air conditioning equipment breaks down frequently as a result of
constant use and lack of maintenance.
The market for air conditioning and refrigeration equipment is strong, rising from $ 52
million in 2004 to $59 million in 2006. Sales for units are also up. Leading American
brands, highly regarded for their reliability, have traditionally done well in Bahrain.
Moreover, the newly finished projects are an important market for American products.
A construction boom is currently underway in residential housing and commercial real

estate, including several major hotel/resort projects. It is estimated that U.S. sales in this
sector will increase by as much as 30 to 35 percent.
Computers and Peripherals:
Bahrain has focused its efforts on the entry of new private firms in specific prospective
growth sectors, which includes the information and communications technology service
sector. Bahrain has been actively attracting international companies in the information
technology sector to invest in Bahrain, with a long-term vision of the formation of an
information technology hub. The government established the Central Informatics
Organization that oversee the growth of information technology, and seeks to improve
government efficiency by using new technologies.
Internet use is expanding in Bahrain. The Government launched an E-Government

initiative, and the electronic-based technology has overwhelmingly been accepted as an
important tool of effective business strategy and good governance.
Almost, all Ministries have upgraded, or are upgrading their e-services. Microsoft and
BDO Jawad Habib, a Bahrain-based consultancy firms, have won the contract to install
and run Bahrains E-Investor Project. A $6.89 million contract was also signed to take
Bahrain's government schools into cyber space, part of the Kings Future Schools
project. Government schools throughout Bahrain will be using Macs to help children
keep up with the electronic age. The contract for the deal was signed between the
Ministry of Education (MOE), Apple Center and the Integrated Technology Group (ITG).
Apple Center will be responsible for providing, installing and operating the electronic
system at all government schools of all education stages, in addition to training teachers
on its uses. The five-year agreement, which ends in July 2009, aims at expanding the
information technology system at all stages of government education. The Ministry of
Education is considering implementing an extension of the project that will cover the
Kingdoms only public and medical universities.

Page 22 of 48
King Hamad Future Schools project is a joint program between the Ministry of
Education and UNESCO aimed to develop the Ministry of Educations current
knowledge-based curriculum to a knowledge-based economy or K-economy curriculum.
The Central Information Organization established a new entity that sought to implement
e-voting for the 2006 elections; however, due to political pressure the project was
cancelled. The organization signed a $3.41 million deal with Microsoft to upgrade their
systems.
The private sector, and especially the financial services sector, has started upgrading
their IT systems in order to make them competitive in a global market. Cisco was
awarded major tenders from several financial institutions including Gulf Finance House,
Standard Charter Bank, Capital House, and Unicorn Bank.
Telecommunication:
The telecommunications sector was the first key sector to be liberalized in Bahrain
following the government's announced interest in opening traditionally government-
controlled industries. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), established
in late 2002, awarded a mobile telecommunications services license to MTC-Vodafone,
thus ending the monopoly of Bahrain's telecom services provider, Batelco. The license
was awarded under the Telecommunications Law, which took effect January 2003. An
open framework attracted a second wireless carrier--Zain Telecommunication--to
relocate their headquarters from Kuwait to the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2007. TRA
awarded a third mobile provider license to STC in 2008. In all, 63 telecommunication
companies are currently operating in different sectors throughout Bahrain.
Telecommunications liberalization also extended to paging services, very small aperture
terminal (VSAT), public access mobile radio services, international telecommunications
facilities, international telecommunications services, national fixed services, internet
service provider (ISP) and value-added services license following the full liberalization
of the sector on July 1, 2004.
The TRA most recently announced the provision of three International

Telecommunications Facility Licenses (IFLs), six International Telecommunications
Services Licenses (ISLs), nine VSAT licenses, fifteen value-added Services (VAS)
"Class" licenses and eight Internet Service Provider (ISP) licenses.
According to the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), in 2008 the number of mobile phone
users reached 723, 000 up from 630, 000 the previous year, and representing a growth
of 1.5 percent.
Over 70 percent of Bahrain's 1,080,000 residents are mobile phone users, suggesting
one of the highest penetration rates in the Middle East. In 2008, Batelco had 256, 000
registered Internet subscribers; personal users accounted for 80 percent and business

Page 23 of 48
users 20 percent of the total Internet market. The Telecommunication sector has grown
rapidly, largely due to new technologies including use of the internet, voice-over-IP
(VOIP), and mobile phones.
Financial Services:
Bahrain is a principal financial services hub in the Middle East with the highest
concentration of Islamic Banks. Legal, regulatory, and accounting systems in the
financial sector (onshore and offshore) are transparent and consistent with international
norms. International financial institutions operate in Bahrain, both internationally and
domestically, without impediments.
The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) regulates the banking sector under the provisions of
the BMA law (Decree Law No. 23 of 1973). In May 2002, the Government of Bahrain
announced that regulatory responsibility for the insurance sector and stock exchange
would move to the CBB. This move was completed in late 2002.
To promote the Kingdoms position as a leading financial destination, the government

upgraded the legal framework of the Bahrain Monetary Agency creating the Central
Bank of Bahrain in September 2006. In October of 2006, the CBB granted offshore
banks greater flexibility allowing them to invest locally.
Bahrain's attraction as a financial center is based on its established offshore facilities,

free foreign exchange movement, tax-free status, stable Bahraini Dinar-USD foreign
exchange rate, established insurance sector, modern telecommunications systems, and
prime geographical location among the GCC countries. The financial sector has
established itself as a key employment generator for the local population.
In March 2004, in an effort to stimulate the insurance industry and reinforce Bahrains
position as a major insurance center in the Middle East, the Bahrain Monetary Agency
lifted the requirement that foreign insurance brokers and loss adjusters must have a
local partner in order to operate. These firms, which were previously required to have at
least 51 percent Bahraini-ownership, are now permitted to operate with 100 percent
foreign-ownership. The CBB is holding consultations on further reform in areas such as
captive insurance, solvency, business conduct, risk management and financial crime,
enforcement, CBB reporting and public disclosure, intermediaries, and Islamic
insurance.
Bahrain has promoted itself as an international financial center in the Gulf region. It
hosts 412 diverse financial institution, including 215 banks, of which 61 are offshore
banking unites (OBUs); 42 investment banks; and 28 commercial banks, of which 26
are foreign owned. In addition, there are 34 representative offices of international banks,
24 moneychangers and money brokers, and several other investment institutions,
including 89 insurance companies. In addition, Bahrain is also a leading Islamic finance
center in the region. The sector has grown considerably since the licensing of the first
Islamic bank in 1979. Bahrain has 38 Islamic banks and financial institutions.

Page 24 of 48
Seventeen new licenses were issued in 2007: three investment bank, six offshore
banking units, four investment advisory brokers, two financial services ancillary service
providers, six representative offices, one money exchange unit and eight Islamic
banking and financial institutions.
Bahrain's underdeveloped insurance market possesses significant profit potential for

investors. Total insurance premiums for companies operating in Bahrain increased 8.3
percent to $314.7 million, up from $289.6 million in 2006. As of year-end 2008, the
industry included 183 companies, which, compared to 172 in 2006, represents a growth
of 6 percent.
The Government of Bahrain (GOB) has identified Islamic banking as one of the main
economic growth areas in the coming five years. Islamic banking principles are similar
to those of conventional banking, with the exception that Islamic banks must conform to
Sharia, or Islamic law. Islamic finance prohibits charging interest for the use of money,
and disallows dealing in certain commodities. Islamic banking falls under four main
categories:
Murabiha: cost-plus financing i.e., buying a product from a supplier and selling
it to a customer for a profit;
Musharraka: a profit sharing system that is similar to equity participation;
Ijara: leasing;
Istisna: the financing of construction or manufacturing.
Islamic banking attracts investors because of its profit potential, as well as its religious
and ethical approach. While the sector is still small, it has registered strong continual
growth despite regional uncertainties that hindered growth in conventional banking.
Islamic Banking became an engine of growth in the Kingdom of Bahrain and continues
to attract high net-worth individual investors from GCC countries. This sector has grown
by an average of 21 percent over the past three years. The Crown Prince and other
government officials have voiced Bahrain's commitment to developing the sector further.
Education and Training:
Regionally, Bahrain has always been a pioneer in the field of education, dating back to
1919 when it was the first country in the Gulf to establish a system of formal education.
In 2007, Bahrain had a 94.7 percent literacy rate among Bahraini males and an 86
percent literacy rate among females, yielding a national literacy rate of 90 percent, the
highest in the region. The United Nation Development Programs (UNDP) Human
Development Report for 2007 reported Bahrain as the most developed Arab state with a
literacy rate of 90 percent in 2007, higher than the GCC literacy rate of 85.1 percent.
The issue of education has been crucial for Bahrain since independence. State
spending on education is $703.8 million, representing 10.3 percent of the entire $7.93
billion state budget for 2007-2008. Ministry of Education employees account for
approximately 32 percent of all government employees.

Page 25 of 48
Rising demand has led to deficiencies in the state school system due to the fact the
most parents prefer to send their children to private schools. A U.S. Department of
Defense-affiliated school and a number of private schools offer education in English
with an American-style curriculum.
Bahrain is home to two public universities and a number of private universities including
the Royal College of Surgeons, New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), Open
University, AMA International, and a number of educational institutions associated with
the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF). Bahrain also has a wide range of
public and private training centers that concentrate on the technical, financial and
tourism sectors.
Growth in the education sector is driven primarily by the establishment of new private
universities, which the Government supports in order to promote private higher
education in Bahrain.
The Crown Prince and BDF Commander-in-Chief launched a national reform initiative in
2004 that is aimed at creating a new economic, labor, education and training vision for
the Kingdom. The Government of Bahrain is seeking to establish Bahrain as a regional
center for human resource development. Bahrain has over 50 training institutes that
offer training in a variety of areas such as hospitality, information technology, business
studies, English language studies, and banking. Specialist-training institutions include
the Gulf College of Hospitality and Tourism, the Bahrain International College of Health
& Beauty, the Regional Institute of Advertising & Marketing, and the Bahrain Institute of
Banking & Finance. Major training institutes include the Bahrain Institute for Banking
and Finance (BIBF), Bahrain Training Institute (BTI), KPMG, and the British Council.
The Government of Bahrain (GOB) is taking the initiative to promote Bahrain as a

regional education and training hub, since the educational and vocational training
curricula have been recently criticized recently for not adequately preparing Bahrainis
for the workforce. The government is making concerted efforts to turn this situation
around. As a part of this initiative the Ministry of Labor (MOL) is actively encouraging
international education and training organizations to set up bases in Bahrain. With a
total investment of approximately $65 million, six new private universities have opened
since late 2006. Another new university for women opened in late 2005. The high
growth in private education can be attributed to several factors, including: an increased
number of full-time working adults seeking part-time internationally accredited degrees,
private businesses looking for specialized courses for their employees, and greater
demand for private education from neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia. Terrorist
incidents in Saudi Arabia during the first two quarters of 2004 enhanced Bahrains
appeal as a safe, liberal location for expatriates. Enrollment of both female and male
expatriate students from neighboring Saudi Arabia in Bahraini schools has increased.

Page 26 of 48
Electrical Power:
For the past several years, the government was forced to implement a program of
organized, rolling brown-outs during the peak summer months due to a lack of capacity.
A one-day countrywide power failure occurred in summer of 2004 due to
mismanagement of power flow near the Alba aluminum manufacturing plant. A
Canadian firm was awarded the contract to investigate the power failure. The study
showed that both the Ministry of Electricity and Alba were both at fault for summer
2004s power-outage, while discrediting the Ministrys capability in crisis management
circumstances.
In June 2003, Ministry of Finance and National Economy (MOFNE) awarded Ernest &
Young a contract to study the privatization of the power and water sectors. The current
installed government power generation capacity in Bahrain is 1,839 MW.
In 2006, the government sold their biggest power plant, Al Hidd for $738 million. In
2004, the first tender was awarded to establish the first private electrical plant called Al
Ezzal, an 800MW per day facility. In August of 2008 the government awarded a tender
to develop Al Dur Power Station to Gulf Investment Company.
Alba provides another 275 MW on standby from its 1,505 MW power station. Demand
during the peak summer months forces the government to draw on this regularly.
Electricity consumption per capita in Bahrain is about 481 units a year. In 2007,
domestic consumption accounted for 60 percent of demand, industries 19 percent, and
commercial establishments 21 percent. Some industries use natural gas to produce
their own power. Demand is growing by an average of 7.3 percent annually, and is
projected to outstrip even the expanded capacity from power upgrades and the second
phase expansion of Al Hidd power station. Already, plans have been announced for the
third phase, in which the Government will invest more than $400 million.
The Government created an Electricity & Water Commission to oversee the expansion
of power production. In November 2004, Bahrains new and only private power plant, Al
Ezzel Power Company, completed a $380 million limited-recourse financing for the
construction of the first-ever private power plant in Bahrain. The $500 million plant
produces more than 950MW of power per day. HSBC and Societe Generale led the
loan, which also included ANZ, Bayerische Landesbank, Calyon, Gulf International
Bank, ING, Mashreqbank, Mizuho, RBS and Standard Chartered. In August 2008, a
tender was awarded for the Development of Al Dur Electric and Water Plant to Gulf
Investment Company. Demand is growing by an average of 7.3 percent annually. The
demand power creates offers ample opportunities in Bahrains power sector.

Page 27 of 48
Water Desalination:
Bahrain is a desert island on the Zone C aquifer stretching all the way to Riyadh. Many
years of heavy demand in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have significantly depleted the
aquifer, threatening its long-term viability and allowing seawater to infiltrate. The "sweet
water" for which Bahrain was long famous is now brackish and requires treatment
before using it as drinking water or as process water for industry.
In 2008, Bahrain used 108 million gallons of water per day, or 38.2 billion gallons per
year. The local water supply comes mainly from non-renewable groundwater extraction.
Supply barely exceeds demand; when routine maintenance work was performed in
March 2007, there were rolling water shortages for several weeks. Two-thirds of
Bahrains water is supplied through desalinization, and the remaining third comes from
the underground aquifer. Approximately 78 million gallons, desalinated and blended, are
for drinking purposes. Industries, agriculture, and private gardens use the rest. Pilot
projects are underway to use treated effluent for irrigation. The Government aims to
have all agricultural water produced this way in the future.
The Commission program to upgrade Bahrain's desalination and effluent treatment

infrastructure provides opportunities for U.S. companies. Increasingly, water and power
production are being integrated through the construction of dual-use plants like those in
Hidd and Manama. Water production through desalinization is an energy intensive
procedure, making it ideal for integration with power generation facilities. The
Government subsidizes 55-60 percent of the cost of water to consumers.
Construction:
The construction sector has witnessed increasing activity and opportunity as the private
and public sectors undertake development projects. This activity coincides with a boom
in the countrys real estate market. Large-scale government infrastructure projects to
build roads, bridges, housing, airport expansions, and infrastructure to support the
Grand Prix racing circuit have stimulated the sector throughout 2006 and into 2007.
Furthermore, these development initiatives have had a spillover effect in supply
industries.
In 2007/2008, the Government approved a strategic budget of $2.37 billion for special
infrastructure projects. The projects that come under this budget include: a new port and
an industrial area in Hidd ($464 million); a Hidd power and water station ($283 million);
housing ($273 million); a new hospital in Muharraq ($80 million) and an airport terminal
expansion ($51 million). All of these projects were scheduled to be complete by 2010.
The government increased transportation expenditure in 2008, building new flyovers

near Al Zinj, Sitra, Seef District, and near the Formula One Track.

Page 28 of 48
Poultry Meat:
U.S. poultry meat, particularly chicken parts and to a lesser degree whole chickens and
turkey, are well known for their high quality. This past year witnessed a large influx of
brand-name chicken parts at very competitive prices. Brazil, France, Saudi Arabia and
Denmark dominate the market for frozen whole chickens. Brazil and the U.S. dominate
the market for chicken parts. Whole chickens represent 90 percent of total chicken meat
imports. The presence of U.S. and allied forces in Kuwait and Iraq, as well as the flow of
aid and other commercial shipments to Iraq, should continue to sustain or even increase
demand from all sources including the U.S. in 2006 and 2007.
BUSINESS TRAVEL
Business Customs:
Personal contact, frequently renewed, is key to doing business successfully in Bahrain.

Visiting business professionals should be prepared to spend a portion of any business
call socializing and getting to know their counterparts.
Most government offices operate Sunday through Thursday, and many companies are
also open half-days on Saturdays. Most commercial banks are open Sunday through
Thursday. Employees of offshore financial institutions often follow a more Western
workweek. To encourage the financial sector, commercial banks started operating even
in Weekends to service their enormous client base.
Visa Requirements:
Entry visas for American citizens may be obtained upon arrival at the Bahrain
International Airport. U.S. holders of regular passports can obtain a two-week visa at the
airport for 5 BD ($13) payable in Bahraini Dinars only. Entry visas can also be obtained
from the Bahraini Embassy in Washington, D.C., where a 5-year visa costs $50.
The General Directorate for Immigration and Passports developed a custom-made,

user-friendly electronic visa website. The website aims to speed the airport's visa
processing method and also to attract tourists through this simplified and accessible
method. For more information, please visit: www.immigration.gov.bh/english/index-
1.htm. An Israeli entry stamp in a passport is not a bar to obtaining a Bahraini visa or to
entering Bahrain, but not all airline personnel are aware that the former prohibition no
longer applies.

Page 29 of 48
Crime is generally not a problem in Bahrain. In the past there have been occasional
minor civil disturbances in various parts of the country. The U.S. Embassy advises
American citizens to avoid any disturbances or large gatherings in the streets, and to
avoid travel into villages, if it is not necessary. Americans in Bahrain, as elsewhere,
should maintain a high level of security awareness while following their daily business or
social routines in light of the global threat of terrorism. For regularly updated security
more information, please visit the U.S. Embassy Bahrain's website at
http://www.usembassy.gov.bh/
Telecommunication:
All hotels are equipped with reliable phone and fax service, and many hotels also
provide Internet, wire services, and business and conference centers
.
The majority state-owned Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) provides
excellent telecommunications services for all sectors of the economy.
Telecommunications services in Bahrain employ fully digitized systems and state-of-the-

art technology. Services provided by Batelco include direct dialing and fax transmission
to almost anywhere in the world, GSM mobile telephony, high-speed data circuits,
integrated service digital networks (ISDN), and corporate messaging facilities. In a
move to liberate the telecommunications sector, the Government of Bahrain in April
2003 awarded a 15-year mobile telecommunications license to MTC-Vodafone. Zain
Telecommunication (a consortium owned by UK's Vodafone and Kuwaiti and Bahraini
investors) began operations in late 2003, and in April 2007 announced that it had
captured 30 percent of Bahrains mobile market with plans to dominate 40 percent by
the end of mobile customers after the introduction of competition, Batelco announced
plans in June to invest $23.9 million in the companys mobile network, increasing its
mobile line capacity to over 550,000. As of September 2006, the TRA broke the
monopolistic control of Batelco over Internet service provider (ISP) in Bahrain; offering,
new technologies were introduced by companies such as MENA that covered the island
with wireless internet connection in association with Motorola. MENA
Telecommunication Company managed to increase their customer base by 300 percent
because of the newly introduced "smart Box" from Motorola (Wireless Network that
covers land line, Fax, and the Internet.)
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), established in late 2002, awarded

the second mobile telecommunications services license to MTC-Vodafone, thus ending
the monopoly of Bahrain's telecom services provider, Batelco. The license was awarded
under the Telecommunications Law, which took effect January 2003. In January of 2009
the TRA were successful in awarding a third mobile provider STC (Saudi
Telecommunication Company) with a paid capital of $231 Million.
Telecommunications liberalization also extended to paging services, very small aperture

terminal (VSAT), public access mobile radio services, international telecommunications
facilities, international telecommunications services, national fixed services, internet

Page 30 of 48
service provider (ISP) and value-added services license following the full liberalization
of the sector on July 1, 2004.
Transportation:
Bahrain has a well-developed road network. Well-lit, multi-lane highways cover the
country. The 25-kilometer Bahrain-Saudi Causeway, which opened in November 1986,
created many new commercial opportunities. Construction has begun on a network of
futuristic superhighways with a series of flyovers to eliminate bottlenecks. These
superhighways are part of a $530.9 million master plan to improve the countrys road
network. The North Manama Corridor Improvement Plan involves the construction of the
Seef and Pearl flyovers in Manama ($26 million). Another Flyover in the Seef District
($18 million) opened up in December of 2008.
Rental cars are readily available, but an International Driving License is required and
must be validated in Bahrain. Major car rental firms will help qualified clients obtain a
temporary Bahraini driving license. Cabs are easy to find in downtown Manama. Most
major roads are three to six-lanes and are well maintained. In the older parts of
Manama, Muharraq, and in villages, many streets are narrow, twisting, and sometimes
in relatively poor condition. Traffic is congested in some areas of Manama and the Seef
Mall. Drivers should exercise caution at the roundabouts (traffic circles) found at many
major intersections. Radar and speed detection cameras are installed near some traffic
lights. Travel at night is more hazardous. Defensive driving is recommended.
Local Times, Business Hours and Holidays
Bahrain is seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (or eight hours ahead of
Eastern Daylight Savings Time). The private sector normally operates from 8:00 a. m.
5:00 p.m., Sunday-Thursday. Financial institutions operate from 8:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m.,
Sunday-Thursday. The public sector operates from 7: 15 a.m. 2:15 p.m., Sunday-
Thursday. The private sector follows the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industrys
(BCCI) local, national, and religious observations. Financial institutions follow the
Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), and the public sector follows the GOBs local and
religious holiday observations.

Page 31 of 48
Water Report in the Kingdom of Bahrain
Bahrains local water supply comes mainly from non-renewable ground water. Two-
thirds of Bahrains water is supplied through desalinization, and the remaining third
comes from underground aquifers. The groundwater comes in through lateral under-
flow from the Dammam aquifer, which is part of an extensive regional aquifer system.
However, the heavy increase of water demand in Bahrain has significantly depleted the
aquifer, threatening its long-term viability and allowing sea water to infiltrate. The "sweet
water" for which Bahrain was long famous is now brackish and requires treatment
before being used as drinking water or as process water for industry. More than half of
the countrys water is provided by the Hidd independent water and power plant (IWPP),
with just 15% of consumption provided by ground water in 2008. Desalinated water now
accounts for more than 80% of Bahrains water provision.
In 2010, Bahrains water consumption was 113 million gallons per day, or 41 billion
gallons per year. In September 2009, the Higher Commission of Electricity and Water
announced that it expected water consumption in Bahrain to reach an estimated 135
million gallons per day by 2015. Current water project initiatives in the Commission
budget involve the new Dour water production plant, a water pipeline from ALBA, and
plant expansion for the Ras Abu Jarjur water desalination facility. The Ras Abu Jarjur
expansion is expected to yield an additional 16 million gallons of water per day. In
August 2007, however, the Commission submitted a request to the Cabinet to approve
a $56 million budget to complete the Dour plant by the next year. ALBA already
supplied an estimated 7 million gallons per day to the national water network, and was
expected to increase its supply to 9 million gallons by the end of 2008.
The Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) is the agency responsible for the production
and supply of power and water in Bahrain, working as an independent arm of the state.
It has successfully pushed for the development of IWPPs, with the commissioning of the
Hidd phase three and now the award of the Al Dur IWPP contract. The kingdom has
also drafted a national policy for wastewater, including reuse of treated sewage
effluence. A major boost to wastewater treatment capacity will come with the
development of the Muharraq wastewater plant, which will have a 100,000-150,000m3
per day (m3/d) capacity. The Electricity and Water Authority has also made
improvements in increasing the coverage of sanitation and sewage connection to 88%
of the islands population and is on target to reach full coverage by 2015.

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Bahrains Five Main Desalination Plants
1. The Hidd Power and Water Plant, located in the south of the island of Muharraq
and within proximity of Manama, has the largest desalination capacity in the country and
uses multi-stage flash (MSF) Technology. With an original production capacity of
136,000 m/d, it underwent an expansion program in 2006-2008 which enabled it to
product another 273,000 m/d, bringing the total capacity to an estimated 409,000 m/d.
Officials from the EWA indicated that in late 2008 the plant was already producing
273,000 m/d, and that the remaining 136,000 m/d would become available in early
2009 once a final round of testing was completed. The Hidd plant now also includes a
potabilisation plant, which means that it will no longer require blending with brackish
groundwater. The facility is operated by the Hidd Power Company (HPC), a consortium
of International Power (40%), GdF Suez Energy International (30%) and Sumitomo
Corporation (30%), on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis. The consortium acquired all of
the Hidd assets in 2006 in a $1.25 billion deal that included the cost of the 273,000 m/d
expansion mentioned above.
2. Ras Abu Jarjur is another desalination plant, located on the eastern seaboard
and currently produces around 73,000 m/d using groundwater, not seawater.
3. The Sitra Power and Water Plant is the oldest in the country, having been
originally commissioned in the 1970s. It produces 114,000 m/d of distilled water. This is
blended with groundwater before entering into the main supply network.
4. The large Aluminum Bahrain (Alba) plant, located to the south of Manama,
also produces desalinated water as a by-product of its other operations. According to
the EWA, production of desalinated water was 9 million m in 2007, an average of
24,700 m/d.
5. The Al Dur Power and Water Company, is the most recent major water
desalination plant in Bahrain. It was founded in 2010 to deal with the growing demand
for potable water in Bahrain. The plant has a maximum output of 48 million gallons per
year, and has been producing an average of 218,000 m of potable water per day.

Page 33 of 48
Water Consumption by Month 000,000 Gallons (1997-2007)
Year
Month
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Jan. 1,981 1,960 2,018 2,077 2,195 2,304 2,478 2,619 2,737 2,843 2,909
Feb. 1,806 1,749 1,731 1,953 2,069 2,052 2,244 2,488 2,479 2,613 2,616
Mar. 1,933 1,991 2,001 2,148 2,380 2,366 2,575 2,755 2,808 2,948 3,079
Apr. 1,965 2,035 2,083 2,231 2,383 2,363 2,555 2,701 2,946 2,932 3,072
May 2,144 2,197 2,224 2,408 2,546 2,591 2,786 2,905 3,051 3,141 3,234
June 2,111 2,180 2,190 2,474 2,538 2,615 2,789 2,862 3,008 3,154 3,232
July 2,230 2,270 2,310 2,561 2,719 2,747 2,989 2,974 3,111 3,276 3,369
Aug. 2,186 2,247 2,308 2,573 2,707 2,750 2,879 2,970 3,108 3,259 3,369
Sept. 2,129 2,184 2,235 2,446 2,569 2,686 2,794 2,947 3,018 3,200 3,295
Oct. 2,170 2,227 2,258 2,421 2,612 2,735 2,848 2,997 3,009 3,277 3,336
Nov. 1,914 2,077 2,133 2,272 2,523 2,605 2,700 2,857 2,859 3,082 3,208
Dec. 1,989 2,087 2,133 2,367 2,525 2,568 2,658 2,744 2,908 2,936 3,236
Total 24,565 25,204 25,663 27,931 29,766 30,382 32,204 33,820 34,941 36,661 37,954

Page 34 of 48
Daily Average Consumption by Month 000,000 Gallons (1997-2007)
Year
Month
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Jan. 63.91 63.24 64.94 67.00 70.80 74.33 79.93 84.49 88.29 91.72 94.12
Feb. 64.52 62.46 61.82 67.33 73.89 73.29 80.15 85.79 88.52 93.31 93.42
Mar. 62.38 64.23 64.54 69.28 76.78 76.34 83.05 88.88 90.34 9508 99.32
Apr. 65.53 67.85 69.45 74.38 79.42 78.77 85.15 90.04 94.89 97.72 102.39
May 69.19 70.86 71.75 77.66 82.12 83.59 89.87 93.71 98.43 101.34 104.32
June 70.37 72.65 72.97 82.45 84.59 87.19 92.97 95.41 100.26 405.13 107.72
July 71.97 73.23 74.51 82.63 87.71 88.62 93.49 95.93 100.35 105.69 108.69
Aug. 70.52 72.49 74.44 83.00 87.33 88.73 82.88 95.81 100.35 105.12 108.69
Sept. 70.98 72.79 74.49 81.53 85.62 89.55 93.13 98.22 100.81 106.67 109.85
Oct. 70.03 71.83 72.83 78.10 84.26 88.25 91.88 96.68 97.25 105.70 107.61
Nov. 63.82 69.22 71.09 75.74 84.08 86.86 90.00 95.24 95.40 102.74 106.94
Dec. 64.58 67.33 70.27 76.34 81.46 82.84 85.75 88.53 93.87 94.72 104.37
Annual
64.19 69.05 70.31 76.31 81.50 83.20 88.19 92.39 85.73 100.41 103.95
Avg.

Page 35 of 48
Water Production 000,000 Gallons (1997-2007)
Production
Year Total
Distilled Water Underground
1997 12,710 11,866 24,576
1998 13,207 11,995 25,202
1999 13,480 12,183 25,663
2000 17,881 10,049 27,930
2001 19,823 9,942 29,765
2002 20,108 10,279 30,387
2003 21,687 10,425 32,111
2004 23,255 10,622 33,877
2005 24,500 11,200 35,700
2006 26,116 10,569 36,684
2007 29,101 8,896 37,991

Page 36 of 48
Important Contacts
Electricity and Water Authority- Kingdom of Bahrain
Electricity and Water Authority Building

King Faisal Street
Diplomatic Area
P.O. Box 2
Manama, Bahrain
Phone: +973 17-546666
Fax: +973 17-533035
Web: http://www.mew.gov.bh/
Names of the top officials at the Electricity & Water Authority
Name Position Tel. Fax
H.E. Abdul Hussain Bin Ali Minister of Electricity & Water

17546777 17537151
Mirza Affairs
Dr. Abdulmajeed Al-Awadhi Chief Executive 17546888 17533035
Vice Chief Executive, 17546999

Sh. Nawaf Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa 17532788
Administrative & Financial Affairs
Vice Chief Executive,

17546900
Batool Ali AbdulAal Electricity & Water Production & 17533452
Transmission
Vice Chief Executive,

Dr. Khalid Burashid 17546700 17532786
Planning & Projects
Director, Finance Resources &

Jaffar Al-Qassab 17546380 17530080
Services

Page 37 of 48
Director, Electricity & Water
Rana Salloom 17576595 17212559
Conservation
Sami Buhazza Director , Projects 17546304 17541185
Ebrahim Al-Kaabi Director, Water Production 17832100 17830146
Ali Redha Husain Director, Water Transmission 17875888 17875803
Abdulghani Khalaf Director, Water Distribution 17389800 17553718
Director, Public & International

Khalid Ebrahim Al Mansoor 17546767 17541182
Relations
Commercial Section, U.S. Embassy Bahrain
Bldg 979, Road 3119, Block 331
Zinj, Bahrain
http://www.buyusa.gov/bahrain
Phone: 973-1-7242746
Email: AlhaykiNB@state.gov
Bahrain Customs
P.O. Box 15
Manama Kingdom of Bahrain
Tel: +(973) 17-725333
Fax: +(973) 17-727556
Website: http://www.bahraincustoms.gov.bh/
E-mail: customs@batelco.com.bh
Standards and Metrology Directorate
Ministry of Industry and Commerce

P.O. Box 5497
Tel: +(973) 17-523030
Fax: +(973) 17-530730
Website: www.commerce.gov.bh
E-mail: bsmd@batelco.com.bh

Page 38 of 48
Al Hidd Water and Power Plant
Building 303, Street 13, Block 115

Al Hidd, Bahrain
P.O. Box 50710
Tel: +973 17-679479
Fax: +973 17-679429
Website: www.hpc.com.bh
Contact:
Name: Simon Westaway
Tel: +973 17-679407
Related Websites
U.S. Government Websites:

Email: alhaykinb@state.gov
Tel: +973 1724 2746
Mailing Address: Bldg 979, Road 3119, Block 331, Zinj. Kingdom of Bahrain.
U.S. Embassy, Bahrain

http://www.usembassy.gov.bh/
Email: manamapao@state.gov
Tel: +973 1727 6180
Mailing Address: Bldg 979, Road 3119, Block 331, Zinj. Kingdom of Bahrain.
U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA)

http://www.ita.doc.gov/
Tel: 1800-USA-TRAD(E)
Mailing Address: 140 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20230
U.S. Commercial Service

http://www.export.gov/comm_svc/
Department of Commerce
http://www.export.doc.gov/
Department of Energy
http://www.energy.gov/
Export-Import Bank
http://www.exim.gov/

Page 39 of 48
Overseas Private Investment Corporation
http://www.opic.gov/
Small Business Administration

http://www.sba.gov/
Department of State
http://www.state.gov/
U.S. Trade and Development Agency

http://www.tda.gov/
Department of Transportation
http://www.dot.gov/
Department of the Treasury

http://www.treasury.gov/
United States Trade Representative (USTR)

www.ustr.gov
Agriculture Trade Office (ATO), Embassy of the United States of America in Dubai, U.A.E.
http://www.usembabu.gov.ae/atodubai.htm
Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS), U.S. Department of Agriculture

http://www.fas.usda.gov/
Government of Bahrain Websites:
Government of Bahrain (GOB)

http://www.bahrain.gov.bh/
Ministry of Commerce (MOC)

http://www.commerce.gov.bh/
Ministry of Industry (MOI)

http://www.industry.gov.bh/
Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB)

http://www.bahrainedb.com/
Ministry of Finance (MOF)

http://www.mofne.gov.bh/
Bahrain Monetary Agency (BMA)

Page 40 of 48
http://www.bma.gov.bh/
Ministry of Transportation (MOT)

(Covers public transportation, telecommunications, postal services, and civil aviation)
http://www.transportation.gov.bh/
Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA)

http://www.tra.org.bh/
Bahrain Internet Exchange (BIX)

http://www.bix.bh/
Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture (MOMA)

http://www.municipality.gov.bh/
Bahrain Tenders Board

http://www.bahraintenders.gov.bh/
Bahrain Tourism Directorate

http://www.bahraintourism.com/
Bahrain International Circuit (BIC)

http://www.bahraingp.com.bh/
Bahrain Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEB)

http://www.bahrainexhibitions.com/
Survey and Land Registration Bureau

http://www.slrb.gov.bh/
Immigration and Passport Directorate, Ministry of Interior (MOI)

http://www.immigration.gov.bh/
General Traffic Directorate

http://www.traffic.gov.bh/
Civil Aviations Directorate and Bahrain International Airport

http://www.bahrainairport.com/index_web.htm
Bahrain Ports Directorate

http://www.bahrainports.gov.bh/
Bahrain Customs Directorate

http://www.bahriancustoms.gov.bh/
Bahrain E-Visa Services

Page 41 of 48
http://www.evisa.gov.bh/
Shura or Consultative Council (Upper House of the National Assembly)

http://www.shura.gov.bh/
Al Nuwab or Council of Representative (Lower House of the National Assembly)

http://www.nuwab.gov.bh/
Legal Affairs Directorate

http://www.bahrain.gov.bh/legalaffairs/
Ministry of Education (MOE)

http://www.education.gov.bh/
Ministry of Labor (MOL)

http://www.bah-molsa.com/
Pension Fund Commission (PFC)

(Public Sector Retirement Planning Commission)
http://www.pfc.gov.bh/
General Organization for Social Insurance

http://www.gosi.org.bh/
Bahrain Center for Studies and Research (BCSR)
http://www.bcsr.gov.bh/
Bahrain Civil Service Bureau (CSB)

http://www.csb.gov.bh/
University of Bahrain (UoB)

http://www.uob.bh/
Bahrain Training Institute (BTI)

http://www.bti.com.bh/
Bahrain Internet
http://www.inet.com.bh/
Bahrain Television (BTV)

http://www.bahraintv.com/
Private Sector:
Akhbar Al Khaleej Newspaper

http://www.akhbar-alkhaleej.com/

Page 42 of 48
Al Ayam Newspaper
http://www.alayam.com/
Al Wasat Newspaper
http://www.alwasatnews.com/
Al Meethaq Newspaper
www.almeethaq.net
Gulf Daily News (GDN)

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/
Bahrain Tribune (BT)

http://www.bahraintribune.com/
Arabian Exhibition Management (AEM)

http://www.aeminfo.com.bh/
Reflections
http://www.reflectionsbh.com
AIFG/International Fairs Group

http://www.amadeusifg.com
Mice Management W.L.L.

http://www.mice-management.com/
Golden Tulip Hotel

http://www.Golden Tulip.com/
Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel

http://www.diplomatrdsas.com.bh/
Regency Intercontinental Hotel

www.intercontinental.com/manama
Sheraton Hotel
http://www.sheraton.com/bahrain
Gulf Hotel
http://www.gulfhotelbahrain.com/
Crowne Plaza Hotel

http://www.crowneplaza-bahrain.com/
Ritz Carlton Hotel

Page 43 of 48
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/
Movenpick Hotel
http://www.moevenpick-group.com/
Novotel Hotel
http://www.novotel.com/
Aluminum Bahrain (Alba)

http://www.albasmelter.com/
Bahrain Telecommunications (Batelco)

http://www.batelco.com/
MTC-Vodafone Bahrain
http://www.mtc-vodafone.com.bh/
Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH)

http://www.bfharbour.com/
For more information, please contact the Commercial Section, at the U.S. Embassy in
Bahrain.
Market Research:
To view market research reports produced by the U.S. Commercial Service please go to
the following website: http://www.export.gov/marketresearch.html and click on Country
and Industry Market Reports.
Trade Events:
US Government Export Portal

http://www.export.gov/tradeevents.html

Phone: 973-1-7242746
Email: AlhaykiNB@state.gov

Page 44 of 48
WORLD TRADE CENTER LOCATIONS
World Trade Center Bahrain

P.O. Box 836
Manama, Bahrain
Phone: 973-1-7546000
Fax: 973-1-7540455
Email: helpdesk@FM-bwtc.com
http://www.bahrainwtc.com
Primary Contact:
Mr. Salah Saleh Asheer
Chief Executive Officer,
Phone: 973-1-7546000

Page 45 of 48
APPENDIX
ABEDA Arab Bank for Economic CAN Andean Community of

Development in Africa Nations
ACC Arab Cooperation Council Caricom Caribbean Community
ACCT Agency for the French- and Common Market
Speaking Community CBSS Council of the Baltic Sea
ACP Group African, Caribbean, and States
Pacific Group of States CCC Customs Cooperation
AfDB African Development Council
Bank CDB Caribbean Development
AFESD Arab Fund for Economic Bank
and Social Development CE Council of Europe
AL Arab League CEI Central European
AMF Arab Monetary Fund Initiative
AMU Arab Maghreb Union CEMA Council for Mutual
Economic Assistance;
ANZUS Australia-New Zealand- also known as CMEA or
United States Security Comecon
Treaty
CEMAC Monetary and Economic
APEC Asia-Pacific Economic Community of Central
Cooperation Africa
Arabsat Arab Satellite CEPGL Economic Community of
Communications the Great Lakes
Organization Countries
ARF ASEAN Regional Forum CERN European Organization
AsDB Asian Development Bank for Nuclear Research
ASEAN Association of Southeast CIS Commonwealth of
Asian Nations Independent States
Autodin Automatic Digital Network CITES see Endangered Species
Benelux Benelux Economic Union Climate Change United Nations
Biodiversity Convention on Biological Framework Convention
Diversity on Climate Change
BIS Bank for International Climate Kyoto Protocol to the

Settlements
Change-Kyoto United Nations
Protocol Framework Convention
BSEC Black Sea Economic on Climate Change
Cooperation Zone
COCOM Coordinating Committee
C Commonwealth on Export Controls
CACM Central American Comsat Communications Satellite
Common Market Corporation
CAEU Council of Arab Economic CP Colombo Plan
Unity

Page 46 of 48
Desertification United Nations for Latin America and the
Convention to Combat Caribbean
Desertification in Those ECO Economic Cooperation
Countries Experiencing Organization
Serious Drought and/or
Desertification, ECOSOC Economic and Social
Particularly in Africa Council
DSN Defense Switched ECOWAS Economic Community of
Network West African States
EADB East African ECS European Coal and Steel
Development Bank Community
EAPC Euro-Atlantic Partnership EEC European Economic
Council Community
EBRD European Bank for EFTA European Free Trade
Reconstruction and Association
Development EIB European Investment
EC European Community Bank
ECA Economic Commission EMU European Monetary
for Africa Union
ECE Economic Commission
for Europe
ECLAC Economic Commission
Note: This is only part of the Appendixes Section in the CIA web site.
For more information go to: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/

Page 47 of 48
SOURCES
1. CIA Country Fact book:

http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
2. Country Commercial Guides: http://www.ita.doc.gov/
3. Commodity Exports & Imports: http://www.census.gov/foreign-

trade/sitc1/2000/#H
4. Holidays & Others: http://www.getcustoms.com/
5. Culture & Etiquette: D&B Doing Business Around the World Trade
Services

Page 48 of 48

Bahrain TIP and Water Report

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Trade Information Packet

WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego

WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego Kingdom of Bahrain January 2012

WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego Kingdom of Bahrain January 2012

WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego Kingdom of Bahrain January 2012

WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego Kingdom of Bahrain January 2012

- Fresh Water Withdrawal

WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego Kingdom of Bahrain January 2012

WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego Kingdom of Bahrain January 2012

WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego Kingdom of Bahrain January 2012

- Legislative Branch: Bicameral legislature consists of the Consultative Council

- Political Parties and Leaders:

- Political Pressure Leaders:

- International Organization Participation:

WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego Kingdom of Bahrain January 2012

- Telephones- Mobile cellular:

- Internet Country Code: .bh

- Internet Hosts: 53,944 (2010)

- Internet Users: 419,500 (2009)

- Airports with paved runways:

- Pipelines: Gas 20 km; Oil 32 km (2009)

WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego Kingdom of Bahrain January 2012

- Merchant Marine: Total: 7

- Ports and Terminals: Mina' Salman, Khalifa Port, and Sitrah.

- Military service age and obligation:

- Manpower available for military service:

- Manpower reaching military significant age annually:

WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego Kingdom of Bahrain January 2012

- GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $29.71 billion (2010 est.)

- GDP (Official exchange rate): $2.66 billion (2009 est.)

- GDP -Real Growth: 4.1% (2010 est.)

- GDP Per Capital: $40,300 (2010 est.)

- GDP Composition by Sector:

- Labor force -by occupation:

- Unemployment Rate: 15% (2005 est.)

- Investment (Gross fit): 26.7% of GDP (2010 est.)

- Budget: Revenues: $5.61 billion

WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego Kingdom of Bahrain January 2012

- Public Debt: 65.8% of GDP (2010 est.)

- Inflation Rate (Consumer prices): 2% (2010 est.)

- Stock of domestic credit: $17.26 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

- Agriculture products: fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish

- Industrial production growth: 1.5% (2009 est.)

- Electricity production: 10.25 billion kWh (2007 est.)

- Electricity consumption: 10.1 billion kWh (2007 est.)

- Electricity exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.)

- Electricity imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.)

- Oil production: 48,560 bbl/day (2009 est.)

- Oil consumption: 39,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

- Oil exports: 238,300 bbl/day (2007 est.)

- Oil imports: 228,400 bbl/day (2007 est.)

WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego Kingdom of Bahrain January 2012

- Natural gas proved reserve: 92.03 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

- Current account balance: $589 million (2010 est.)

- Exports: $14.61 billion (2010 est.)

- Exports commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles

- Imports: $11.91 billion (2010 est.)

- Imports -commodities: Crude oil, machinery, chemicals.

- External debt: $14.77 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

- Stocks of direct foreign investments at home: $15.77 billion (31 December

- Stocks of direct foreign investments abroad: $8.399 billion (31 December

- Exchange rate: Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar - 0.376 (2010),

WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego Kingdom of Bahrain January 2012