Investment framework and opportunities in Bahrain
Procedures Relative to Foreign Investment
- Freedom of Establishment
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There are essentially eight options available to foreign investors who are looking to undertake business/commercial activities in Bahrain:
-With limited liability company
-Partnership company
-Bahrain shareholding company (BSC) - public
-Bahrain shareholding company (BSC) - closed
-Simple commandite company
-Single person company
-Branch of a foreign company
-Holding company
The WLL is the most commonly used form of company. To find out more, please visit the government website.
- Acquisition of Holdings
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In most of the cases (around 95%), a 100% foreign ownership is possible.
- Obligation to Declare
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All business registrations have to be approved by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. To find out more, please visit the commercial registration portal.
- Competent Organisation For the Declaration
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Ministry of Industry and Commerce
- Requests For Specific Authorisations
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Some activities are limited to nationals of the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (CCASG): Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, for example accounting services; import; export and/or sale of race car fuel; cargo clearance; fishing.
Some activities are limited to nationals of Bahrain, such as certain real estate services, press and publishing; printing; film and TV services; the land transport of goods, passengers and tourists; inland sea cruises; car rental, the Hajj and Umra services; services providing foreign labor; trade agencies; small businesses.
Any business registration must be approved by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC).
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Latest Update: May 2025
Bahrain: Investing in Bahrain
