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The Kingdom of Bahrain

BahrainWestern Asia
-1:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country

General Information

National Identity
Official Language(s)Arabic
National CurrencyBahraini Dinar (BHD)
National Day(s)16 December (National Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalManama
Economic CapitalManama
Cultural CapitalMuharraq and Manama
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 1 – 1.5 h Direct flights
Primary AirportBahrain International Airport (BAH)
Primary PortKhalifa Bin Salman Port (BHKBS)
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline161 km
Highest PointJabal ad Dukhan (135 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverNone (no permanent rivers or lakes)
ClimateArid desert

Border Countries

None (island nation); linked to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway; maritime boundaries with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iran
0

Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research

Key Facts

Manama, the capital of Bahrain, is one of the region’s leading financial and banking hubs.

Bahrain was the first country in the Gulf to discover oil in 1932.

Qal’at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 4,000 years of continuous human settlement.

The King Fahd Causeway connects Bahrain to Saudi Arabia and is one of the region’s most important bridges.

The Bahrain World Trade Center is the first skyscraper in the world to integrate large wind turbines into its design.

Bahrain hosts the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix, the first F1 race ever held in the Middle East.

Bahrain’s population is one of the most multicultural in the Gulf, with expatriates making up over half of residents.

Bahrain’s economy is one of the most diversified in the region, with non-oil sectors contributing over 80% of GDP.

Bahrain was the first Gulf country to establish a public education system in 1919.

The Bahrain National Theatre is one of the largest theaters in the Arab world, featuring a striking glass-and-water design.

The Al Fateh Grand Mosque in Manama is one of the largest mosques in the world, able to accommodate over 7,000 worshippers.

The Dilmun Burial Mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contain thousands of ancient tombs and form one of the largest prehistoric cemeteries in the world.

Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research

Economic Overview

Macroeconomic Snapshot

GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-

Economic Comparison

IndicatorBahrainUAEBahrainUAE
GDP, current pricesUSD Billions--
GDP, PPPCurrent int$--
Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%)--
GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita--
PopulationMillions of people--
Unemployment rate% of total labor force--
Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%)--
General government gross debt% of GDP--
Income levelWorld Bank classification--

Foreign Trade

No data available for this section yet.

Political Overview

Leadership

Head of State

H.M. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

Since March 1999

Head of Government

H.R.H. Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa

Since November 2020

Minister of Foreign Affairs

H.E. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani

Since February 2020

Minister of Finance

H.E. Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa

Since December 2018

Minister of Economy

H.E. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro

Since November 2022

Minister of Defense

H.E. Lt. General Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi

Since December 2018

Political Summary

Political System

Hereditary constitutional monarchy. The King is Head of State and appoints the government; the bicameral National Assembly comprises an elected Council of Representatives and an appointed Shura Council.

Ruling Party

-

Main Opposition Force(s)

-

Next Presidential Election

Not applicable (Hereditary)

Next Legislative Election

Expected in late 2027

Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research

Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs

45Organizations
31Member
2Founding Member
3Partner, Observer or Participant
9Not a Member

Last Updated: October 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations

Competitiveness Indexes

IndexYearRank Out ofBahrainUAE

No index matches.

Bilateral Relations

Diplomatic Relations and Representation

Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations197155 years of relations
H.E. Fahad Mohammed Salem Kardous Al Ameri
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Fahad Mohammed Salem Kardous Al AmeriUAE Ambassador to Bahrain · Resident
H.E. Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah bin Ali Al Khalifa
Foreign Ambassador
H.E. Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah bin Ali Al KhalifaAmbassador of Bahrain to the UAE · Resident

Last Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research

Consular Information

Tourists
Residents
Students
Golden Visa Holders
Bahrain Nationalsin the UAE
----
UAE Citizensin Bahrain
----

Main Agreements and MoUs

Agreement / MOUStatusNotes
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
Not Signed-
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement
Ratified
Signed on 11 Feb 2024.Entered into force on 8 May 2025.
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement
Signed
Signed on 11 Feb 2024.
ASAAir Services Agreement
Signed
The Air Services Agreement was signed.
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists

Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research

UAE Foreign Assistance

UAE Aid to BahrainTotal Amount
Amount (USD Mn)-

Bilateral Visits

Official Visits from the UAE

  • H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al MaktoumCrown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense
    Jul2026
  • H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab Emirates
    Apr2026
  • H.E. Abdulla Nasser LootahAssistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange
    Dec2025
  • H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al NahyanVice President and Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court
    Dec2025
  • H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab Emirates
    Nov2025
  • H.E. Saqr GhobashSpeaker of the Federal National Council
    Nov2025
  • H.E. Maj. Gen. Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al RaisiPresident of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL)
    Nov2025
  • H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab Emirates
    Sep2025
  • H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of State for Foreign Trade
    Jun2025
  • H.E. Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al HamedChairman of the National Media Office
    Feb2025
  • H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanCrown Prince of Abu Dhabi
    Nov2024
  • H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
    Nov2024
  • H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al MaktoumVice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai
    May2024
  • H.E. Khalifa bin Shaheen Al MararMinister of State
    May2024
  • H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanCrown Prince of Abu Dhabi
    Mar2024
  • H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab Emirates
    Feb2024
  • H.E. Mohamed bin Mubarak Fadhel Al MazroueiMinister of State for Defense Affairs
    Feb2024
  • H.E. Saqr GhobashSpeaker of the Federal National Council
    Mar2023
  • H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab Emirates
    Nov2022
  • H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanMinister of Foreign Affairs
    Oct2022

Official Visits to the UAE

  • H.M. King Hamad bin Isa Al KhalifaKing of Bahrain
    Sep2026
  • H.M. King Hamad bin Isa Al KhalifaKing of Bahrain
    Aug2026
  • H.M. King Hamad bin Isa Al KhalifaKing of Bahrain
    Apr2026
  • H.R.H. Prince Salman bin Hamad Al KhalifaCrown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain
    Feb2026
  • H.H. Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al KhalifaNational Security Advisor, Commander of the Royal Guard, Secretary General of the Supreme Defense Council and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports of Bahrain
    Feb2026
  • H.H. Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al KhalifaNational Security Advisor, Commander of the Royal Guard, Secretary General of the Supreme Defense Council and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports of Bahrain
    Dec2025
  • H.E. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al ZayaniMinister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain
    Dec2025
  • H.E. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al ZayaniMinister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain
    Nov2025
  • H.E. General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al KhalifaMinister of Interior of Bahrain
    Nov2025
  • H.E. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al ZayaniMinister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain
    Sep2025
  • H.E. Dr. Ramzan bin Abdulla Al NoaimiMinister of Information of Bahrain
    May2025
  • H.E. Dr. Sheikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al KhalifaMinister of Transportation and Telecommunications of Bahrain
    May2025
  • H.E. Eng. Ebrahim bin Hassan Al HawajMinister of Works of Bahrain
    Feb2025
  • H.E. Rawan bint Najeeb TawfiqiMinister of Youth Affairs of Bahrain
    Nov2024
  • H.E. Ahmed bin Salman Al MusallamSpeaker of the Council of Representatives of Bahrain
    Nov2024
  • H.E. Abdulla bin Adel FakhroMinister of Industry and Commerce of Bahrain
    Sep2024
  • H.M. King Hamad bin Isa Al KhalifaKing of Bahrain
    Jul2024
  • H.H. Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al KhalifaNational Security Advisor, Commander of the Royal Guard, Secretary General of the Supreme Defense Council and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports of Bahrain
    May2024
  • H.M. King Hamad bin Isa Al KhalifaKing of Bahrain
    Apr2024
  • H.E. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al ZayaniMinister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain
    Apr2024
  • H.M. King Hamad bin Isa Al KhalifaKing of Bahrain
    Nov2023
  • H.E. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al ZayaniMinister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain
    Nov2023
  • H.E. General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al KhalifaMinister of Interior of Bahrain
    Oct2023
  • H.E. Noor bint Ali Al KhulaifMinister of Sustainable Development of Bahrain
    Jun2023
  • H.E. Eng. Ebrahim bin Hassan Al HawajMinister of Works of Bahrain
    Mar2023
  • H.R.H. Prince Salman bin Hamad Al KhalifaCrown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain
    Feb2023
  • H.E. Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al KhalifaMinister of Finance and National Economy of Bahrain
    Feb2023
  • H.E. Ahmed bin Salman Al MusallamSpeaker of the Council of Representatives of Bahrain
    Feb2023
  • H.M. King Hamad bin Isa Al KhalifaKing of Bahrain
    Jan2023
  • H.E. Abdullah Al RumaihiChief of the Royal Court and Private Office of Bahrain
    Nov2022

The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.

Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research

Trade

Non-Oil Bilateral Trade

-

Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners

-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports

Key Trade Commodities

-

Foreign Direct Investment Flows

Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)133.6USD Millions
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)1,850.0USD Millions

Capex and jobs data include estimated values.

Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets

Major Companies and Investments

Major Bahraini Companies in the UAE

  • National Bank of Bahrain (NBB UAE)National Bank of Bahrain (NBB UAE)Banking
  • Bank ABC DIFC BranchBank ABC DIFC BranchBanking
  • Investcorp Abu DhabiInvestcorp Abu DhabiInvestment
  • GFH Partners DubaiGFH Partners DubaiInvestment
  • Gulf Air UAEGulf Air UAEAviation
  • Beyon Cyber DubaiBeyon Cyber DubaiICT

Major UAE Companies in Bahrain

  • Mubadala Investment CompanyMubadala Investment CompanyAlternative investments, healthcare, oil and gas, and district cooling
  • MasdarMasdarRenewable energy

Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research

Business Support

Joint Business Council(s)-

Cooperation Opportunities

Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.

Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research