May 8           Bahrain’s Ministry of Finance released the country’s 2024 economic report today. Bahrain’s real GDP growth rate for 2024 is 2.6%, with non-oil sectors growing by 3.8% and the oil sector contracting by 4.0%. 

May 8             Bahrain – Parliament unanimously approved a new tax on multinational enterprises: large multinational corporations that operate in multiple countries and generate at least 750 million euros in revenue in at least two of the previous four years are subject to a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%. Finance and National Economy Minister said 348 multinational companies operating in Bahrain would fall within the scope of the new law, with projected annual tax revenues of approximately BD130 million.

April 24, Continued fiscal reform efforts, stable economic diversification, and financial support from Gulf Cooperation Council partners have led S&P Global Ratings to affirm Bahrain's long- and short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings at “B+/B.”  

April 3, Xpeng has inked a distributor deal to enter the Bahraini auto market, as the Chinese electric vehicle maker aims to double its international presence this year. The company recently entered into a strategic partnership with Ebrahim K. Kanoo, Bahrain's largest automotive distributor group. 

March 11      Bahrain has been ranked 55th freest economy in the world, according to the 2025 Index of Economic Freedom released by The Heritage Foundation. The kingdom achieved a score of 65.6, an increase of 2.2 points from the previous year.

March 4        Chinese car sales in Bahrain reached 5,358 units in 2024, showing an increase as more buyers opt for these vehicles.  

March 3        According to EY's "Cost of Doing Business in the GCC" reports, businesses operating in Bahrain benefit from significant annual operating cost advantages-up to 69% in logistics and up to 41% in manufacturing-compared to neighboring GCC countries. 

February 25, Fitch Ratings has affirmed Bahrain's long-term foreign-currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at B+, highlighting the nation's robust support from GCC partners and ongoing efforts to strengthen its fiscal position.

February 18, Bahrain and APM Terminals signed a letter of intent for the development of Khalifa bin Salman Port. At the signing ceremony, the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications of Bahrain stated that Bahrain is eager to strengthen cooperation with international companies to develop relevant sectors.

January 20     Diyar, Bahrain's largest real estate developer, has signed a partnership agreement with China National Electric Engineering Company to evaluate the feasibility of adopting 3D printing technology in the construction and development of real estate projects.

January 16     The number of non-Bahrainis in Bahrain's government departments is 5,766, a decrease of 24% compared to 7,582 in 2019. This reflects the Bahraini government's efforts to implement Bahrainization while ensuring the quality of government services, gradually replacing foreign workers with Bahrainis in government departments. 

January 8      Bahrain is set to undergo a major urban redesign over the next 15 years to transform its cities and towns into thriving future-ready spaces.   

December 31, Bahrain's economy is expected to grow by 3% this year, with the growth rate rising to 3.5% in 2025, driven by financial services, technology, and industrial expansion, according to e International Monetary Fund's report. 

December 19, The partnership between the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the Government of Bahrain represents a model collaboration for sustainable development. To date, ADFD has financed 33 development projects in the country, totaling AED 23 billion, spanning critical sectors such as housing, energy, transport, and health. 

November 23   "Made in Bahrain" goods will soon take center stage in government procurement, as the nation pushes to cut back on imports and supercharge local production. The ambitious plan aims to showcase Bahraini industries, spotlight homegrown talent, and build a stronger, self-sufficient economy. 

November 14    BAIC Group inaugurated its first BAIC brand showroom in Bahrain, marking another significant step in its Middle Eastern expansion following a similar launch in Qatar.     

November 6     The Bahrain Development Bank has announced the launch of the kingdom’s first $265 million Private Credit SME Growth Fund. The fund aims to accelerate economic development by providing critical financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which constitute over 93 per cent of Bahrain’s companies. 

October 27       Fakhro Motors, the exclusive distributor of BYD, the world's leading manufacturer of New Energy Vehicles, has announced the arrival of the BYD QIN PLUS and BYD SONG PLUS. These models are plug-in hybrids, which allow drivers to choose between petrol and electric power.

October 23     The financial and insurance Activities remained the highest contributor to real GDP at 17.1per cent in Q2, followed by the crude petroleum and natural gas sector at 14.8 per cent and manufacturing at 14.4 per cent.  

October 21       Bahrain has taken action to allow foreign companies to fully control certain areas in order to attract global businesses. According to the official gazette, foreign enterprises can now sell certain goods in Bahrain without the need for local partners. If foreign businesses operate in at least ten countries or have an annual income exceeding 750 million euros, they can fully own their own businesses. 

September 25, A detailed demographic breakdown of Bahrain's population reveals a youthful nation, with over two-thirds of Bahrainis under the age of 35. The statistics, released for the first half of 2024 highlight young people's significant role in the country's future.

September 2, Bahrain announced that it will introduce a 15% domestic minimum top-up tax for large multinational corporations starting January 1. The tax aligns with guidelines set by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and targets multinational enterprises with global revenues exceeding 750 million euros (approximately $829 million) operating in Bahrain.  

August 21, Bahrain's non-oil sector continued its upward trajectory in July, with re-exports jumping 22 per cent to BD61 million from the same period last year, according to a report by the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA). 

August 19, In the first half of this year, Chinese cars replaced Japan as the largest source of Bahrain's cars with a market share of 25%, while Japanese car market share dropped to 24%.  

August 5, Bahrain's economy grew 3.3% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2024, according to a quarterly economic performance report by the Ministry of Finance, citing preliminary data from the Information & eGovernment Authority.