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Bahrain Budget Deficit Widens To $601m In 2012

The deficit was lower than the BD1.33 billion initially foreseen and is equivalent to two per cent of GDP.

Bomb Injures Seven Policemen In Bahrain

At least four other policemen were less seriously hurt in the attack in Bani Jamra village.

Bahrain Bans Political Groups From Contacting Hezbollah

The move comes a day after Bahrain’s foreign minister called the head of the Shi’ite Muslim group a “terrorist”.

Two Bahraini Banks In Merger Talks As Consolidation Picks Up

The merger between Al Salam Bank and BMI Bank will create a lender with assets of around BD1.7 billion.

Bahrain’s Batelco Says CEO Leaves, Former Boss Steps In

Sheikh Mohamed bin Isa al-Khalifa has been temporarily replaced by long-serving Peter Kaliaropoulos

Bahrain Needs To Cut Public Debt After 2012 Spending Boost – IMF

The Gulf state upped its original 2012 expenditure plan by nearly 19 per cent in September 2011.

Bahrain Telecom Group Batelco Profit Falls 17%

Bahrain’s biggest telecom group has now reported a fall in profit in 11 quarters out of 12 and has seen its market share eroded by rivals.

Bahrain’s Al Baraka Q1 Profit Up 15%

First-quarter net income rose to $66 million from $57 million in the year-ago period, with operating income up 16 per cent.

U.S. Requests Talks With Bahrain Over 2011 Labour Crackdown

The U.S. Labour Department issued a report in December, some 20 months after the general strike, that faulted the Bahrain government for the actions it took.

AFC Elects Sheik Salman President

Sheikh Salman secured 33 of the 46 presidential votes available from AFC member associations in Malaysia.

Bahrain’s Investcorp Sells Armacell For Over $655m

The private equity firm is selling German insulation firm Armacell to Charterhouse Capital Partners.

Bahrain SWF Mumtalakat Not Joining Gulf Spending Spree

The fund holds stakes in 40 Bahraini firms including Batelco and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba).

Bahrain Picks Banks For Sovereign Bond

Any transaction is expected to be at least $500 million in size, say sources.

Bahrain’s Ahli Posts Q1 Profit Jump After Qatar Sale

The Bahrain bank would still have seen Q1 profit of 12.2 per cent without selling its 29.4 per cent stake in Qatar Foundation.

Sebastian Vettel Wins Bahrain GP

The race was untroubled by anti-government protests and reported clashes elsewhere in the tiny Gulf kingdom.

Bahrain Soccer Head: I’m Favourite For AFC Top Job

An interview with Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa reveals he favours himself to replace disgraced Qatari Mohamed Bin Hammam.

FIA President Jean Todt Avoids Bahrain GP

Formula One’s commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone will attend the race.

F1’s Bernie Ecclestone Willing To Meet Bahrain Opposition

The 82-year-old British billionaire has said repeatedly that he has no cause for concern ahead of the Bahrain GP.

Telco Zain Bahrain Must Complete Share Sale By Year-End – Regulator

Zain Bahrain has been instructed to sell 15 per cent of its shares in the IPO and list on Bahrain’s bourse.

Thousands Of Bahrainis Protest Before Formula One

The Gulf Arab state has been hit by unrest since pro-democracy protests broke out in early 2011.

FIA Must Take Clear Stance On Bahrain – Damon Hill

The grand prix was cancelled in 2011 but went ahead last year despite calls by activists in Bahrain and campaigners abroad for teams not to race.

Zain Says Bahrain Unit Gets Approval For IPO

Kuwaiti telecoms operator Zain holds a 56.3 per cent stake in Zain Bahrain.

US Allies Plan Big Gulf Naval Exercise In May

Representatives from over 30 nations will gather in Bahrain to practise minesweeping and escorting ships.

Bahrain Halts Telecom Spectrum Auction As Operator Appeals

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority was due to auction 12 lots of spectrum primarily for 4G networks from March 31.

Bahrain Growth Slows In Q4 As Energy Output Stalls

The economy grew 3.4 per cent in full-year 2012, up from 1.9 per cent in 2011.

Leeds Football Club Sell Stake To Bahrain Bank

International Investment Bank’s chief executive, Aabed Al-Zeera, will join the Leeds City Holdings Limited.

Investcorp Struggling To Sell Armacell Amid Lower Bids

Potential buyers Charterhouse, HgCapital and Pamplona were likely to submit bids 100 million euros under its price tag.

Bahrain Crown Prince Must Prove Himself By Actions – Wefaq

Sheikh Ali Salman, leader of the Shi’ite-led group al-Wefaq, says he welcomed Crown Prince Salman al-Khalifa’s appointment.

Bahrain Central Bank Sees 4% GDP Growth

The forecast is lower than the Economic Development Board’s prediction last month of 6.2 per cent for 2013.

Bahrain’s NBB, Pension Fund To Buy 51.6% In Islamic Lender

Based on Bahrain Islamic’s total outstanding shares, the value of the deal is about BD34.9 million.