June 24    The foreign ministers of Bahrain and Iran have agreed to start negotiations aimed at normalising relations between the two countries. The decision to begin formal talks reflects a broader trend of de-escalation and dialogue among regional powers,  namely Saudi Arabia, which backs the government in Bahrain and is closely aligned with Manama on security and trade.

June 21    Bahrain saw a surge in foreign direct investment (FDI) to a record $6.8 billion in 2023, up 148% from the previous year's figures, according to the latest World Investment Report (WIR 2024) by the United Nations Conference of Trade and Development (UNCTAD).   

June 1     Bahrain inaugurated a civilian aviation route from Bahrain International Airport to Shanghai Pudong Airport, marking its first direct flight to China. The Gulf Air will also launch a direct flight from Bahrain to Guangzhou, South China’s Guangzhou city. 

May 14      Moody’s Investors Service affirmed Bahrain’s B2 credit rating with a stable outlook, highlighting the country’s economic resilience and potential for future growth, despite ongoing fiscal challenges.

May 6       Bahrain has achieved impressive results on the Global Connectedness Index 2024, published by international logistics giant DHL, climbing seven ranks to secure the 25th position globally and the most improving country since 2021. 

April 9      Bahrain experienced a 2.4% increase in its gross domestic product (GDP) at constant prices in 2023 compared to the previous year. According to the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA), Bahrain’s GDP reached BD13.6 billion ($36.08 billion) at constant prices in 2023, up from BD13.3 billion ($35 billion) in the previous year.

April 1      A blueprint to put Bahrain amongst the top 20 countries in logistics, increase flight destinations to 70 and increase the flow of air freight to one million metric tonnes is underway. Transportation and Telecommunications Minister said that infrastructure work continues at Bahrain International Airport to form a comprehensive and advanced global logistics center. 

March 21    Bahrain witnessed in 2023 a significant shift towards digitalization in its government services, resulting in numerous benefits. Approximately 10.4 million government transactions were conducted through digital channels, leading to an impressive 85% reduction in operational costs for the government and significant time savings.

March 15    Moody’s has affirmed a stable outlook for Bahraini banks, citing the sustained growth in the non-oil economy and favorable operating conditions.