Bahrain

Bahrain

Amends conditions of foreign ownership

18 Oct 2024

On 17 October 2024, Bahrain amended the conditions for foreign ownership, effective from 18 October 2024. Decision No. 53 of 2024 introduced new conditions for granting licenses for commercial activities eligible for 100 per cent foreign ownership by non-Bahraini partners. Under the revised rules, the minimum capital for a Bahraini-based company under foreign ownership has been reduced from BD(Bahraini Dinar) 2 million (approximately €5 million) to BD 100,000 (approximately €240,000). However, the parent company must now operate in at least ten countries and generate annual revenues exceeding €750 million—conditions that have been strengthened compared to the previous requirements, which only required presence in at least three international markets and a minimum capital of BD 20 million (approximately €50 million) for the parent company.

 

Nature of measure:
  • Liberalization
Type:
  • Entry and establishment (Ownership and control)
Industry:
  • Services (Wholesale and retail trade)
  • Services (Wholesale and retail trade)
Inward FDI:
No
Outward FDI:
No
Sources:
  • Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission, DECISION NO. (53) OF 2024 AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF DECISION NO. (40) OF 2021 SPECIFYING THE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES THAT FOREIGN CAPITAL COMPANIES MAY BE LICENSED TO PRACTICE, https://www.lloc.gov.bh/FullEn/RCAB5324.docx, 17 Oct 2024