Bahrain may be small, but it continues to punch well above its weight in the Gulf. The government actively seeks to attract foreign investors and businesses and pays close attention to the needs of the private sector in formulating laws and regulations.
As such, Bahrain continues to attract investors as both a place to establish a business, and as a gateway through which to enter the markets of the broader Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions.
Bahrain permits 100% foreign ownership of a business or branch office. It does not tax corporate income, personal income, wealth, capital gains, withholding or inheritance, and, outside the oil and gas sector, there are no restrictions on the repatriation of capital, profits or dividends. There are also a number of special economic zones, industrial zones and trade zones throughout Bahrain that offer a range of rates and incentives to investors.
In recent years, and particularly since the COVID pandemic, the government Bahrain has worked hard to increase the efficiency and ease of completing commercial procedures, accelerating the issuance of licences and updating laws and regulations to further improve the ease of doing business in Bahrain.
The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), which promotes FDI in Bahrain, places particular emphasis on attracting manufacturing, logistics, ICT, financial services, tourism, health and education.
Sovereign is also playing a key role in Bahrain’s growth. Our Sovereign Business Hub is a business incubator and business accelerator that is designed to assist successful business set-up and development, as well as job creation and employment in specific sectors that are aligned to Bahrain’s areas of opportunity.
The Business Hub is a fully equipped workspace in the heart of Manama. It provides a positive space in Bahrain where we can offer the necessary support and facilities that start-ups require. It also leverages Sovereign’s global network to give clients the mentoring and exposure that so many entrepreneurs and start-ups need but few can access, giving them the best opportunity to have a local, regional and global impact.
If you’re looking for a launch platform for your business in the Gulf, please contact Nabil Khoury, Managing Partner of Sovereign Trust Consultancy (Bahrain) for advice or assistance.
Managing Partner, Sovereign Trust Consultancy (Bahrain) WLL
EUROPE
Set Up Your Business in Gibraltar and Live Anywhere
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Importance of Medical Malpractice Insurance for Healthcare Practitioners & Providers
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ASIA
Singapore parliament approves new AML Bill to align with international standards
Hong Kong publishes legislative proposal for company re-domiciliation regime
Hong Kong’s High-Level Mission to 3 ASEAN Member States
Impact on Singapore QFT by Settlor or Beneficiary Becoming Resident
Saudi Arabia & UAE: Key Partners in China’s Trade & Investment
INTERNATIONAL RESIDENCY AND CITIZENSHIP PLANNING
Establishing Residency in Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a self-governing British Overseas Territory, that is economically prosperous by virtue of its highly diversified economy. Key sectors include financial services, FinTech, gaming, maritime and tourism.
Gibraltar has a Westminster-style Parliament and is responsible for its own internal affairs whilst foreign affairs and defence remain the responsibility of the UK Government.
SOVEREIGN CSR
The Shaw Foundation provides essential funding for SAF’s Kindergarten Programme
The Sovereign Art Foundation (SAF) is hugely grateful for funding provided by The Shaw Foundation, a major charitable foundation in Hong Kong, which enabled us to continue and expand our Kindergarten Programme from October 2023 to August 2024, reaching two new schools for the first time.
With the efforts of registered art therapists from our Make It Better (MIB) programme, SAF worked with local kindergartens to deliver weekly expressive arts workshops and therapy groups for over 53 students from low-income backgrounds and special educational needs. The workshops were designed to enhance cognitive skills, build confidence, foster emotional resilience and develop interpersonal abilities.
5 Questions With Ceri Pratley, Head of Residency & Citizenship Services
Ceri Pratley has been advising high-net-worth individuals and their families on international private client, wealth management, residency and citizenship matters for almost three decades.
As Sovereign’s Head of Residency and Citizenship Services, Ceri is responsible for the planning, development and implementation of all the group’s residency, tax residency and citizenship programme services.
