#Bahrain

Citigroup to exit retail banking in 13 markets, including Bahrain

The move is part of an ongoing review of the company’s strategy by its chief executive officer

Khalid Yusuf Al-Jalahma Bahrain Ambassador Israel

Bahrain appoints Khalid Yusuf Al-Jalahma as first ambassador to Israel

On Tuesday, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa also directed his country’s officials to set up a diplomatic mission within Israel

Bahrain awarded $4.1bn worth of contracts in 2020

Covid-19 response sees Ministry of Health spending almost tripled compared to 2019

Saudi Arabia’s Almarai acquires Bakemart in UAE, Bahrain

The acquisition is fully financed from Almarai’s operating cash flow

Tencent Cloud to set up cloud data centre in Bahrain

The data centre will be the first in the MENA region and will go live by the end of 2021

Bahrain seeks PPP partner to build national metro network

Phased project consists of a 109km urban rail transit network

Etihad Gulf Air

UAE’s Etihad and Bahrain’s Gulf Air to expand codeshare agreement

By June 2021, Etihad and Gulf Air will be able to offer up to an additional 30 combined destinations beyond the Abu Dhabi and Bahrain hubs

Bahrain launches digital Covid-19 “vaccine passport”

BeAware app enables individuals to show their immunity status two weeks after receiving both doses

Covid-19: Bahrain updates testing rules for incoming travellers

All inbound travellers will be subject to an additional PCR test on the fifth day of arrival

AlUla agreement: What does resetting ties with Qatar mean for the GCC region?

The resumption of ties with Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt will boost the regional economy with certain sectors set to witness a significant impact

Covid-19: Bahrain suspends prayers at mosques for two weeks

The two-week suspension is effective February 11 onwards

Bahrain

Covid-19: Bahrain shuts all schools, closes dine-in services at restaurants

All public and private schools, universities and kindergartens in the country will move to remote learning for three weeks

A health worker holds a vial of Covishield, AstraZeneca's Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine

Bahrain approves emergency use of Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine

Covishield is the third vaccine to receive emergency authorisation in Bahrain following Sinopharm and Pfizer-BioNTech

Bahrain’s Investcorp launches fintech investment platform

Customers can browse, assess and invest in Investcorp’s investment offerings

cryptocurrency

Central Bank of Bahrain licences Sharia-compliant cryptocurrency exchange CoinMENA

At launch, CoinMENA’s platform will be available to residents of Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman

Bahrain-GCC trade hits $5.7bn in 2020 despite Covid-19 challenges

Bahrain exports surge 12 per cent in Q4 of 2020 buoyed by manufacturing sector

Bahrain plans to sell dollar bonds to plug budget deficit

The Gulf Arab kingdom is selling benchmark-size seven-year debt, 12-year securities and/or notes maturing in 30 years

Gulf Air Ras Al Khaimah

Bahrain’s Gulf Air mulling flights to UAE’s Ras Al Khaimah Airport

The two entities signed an MoU to explore the possibility of building connectivity between the kingdom and the emirate

Bahrain

Bahrain attracts $885m investment in 2020 despite Covid-19

Accumulated direct investments reaches 78 per cent of Bahrain’s GDP

Abu-Dhabi-International-Airport-1

Abu Dhabi expands ‘green list’ of countries that do not require quarantine

Bahrain is the latest to be added to the list, which also includes other Gulf countries

Abu Dhabi

Bahrain scores high in cost-effective supply chains

FDi says Bahrain is competitive in construction permits, energy prices, and taxes

Bahrain

Bahrain achieves nationwide 5G coverage

Bahrain ICT sector accounts for nearly 3% of national GDP

King Fahd Causeway re-opening to add ‘billions’ to Bahrain economy

Saudi citizens will be permitted to travel via air, land and sea from March 31 2021

Bahrain

Bahrain: Expats can apply for self-sponsorship of residency permits online

The online service covers foreign retirees, investors and property owner in Bahrain

Gulf Arab states agree to restore Qatar ties, end three-year rift

Qatar’s ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani landed in the kingdom to a warm embrace from the Saudi Crown Prince

GCC leaders convene in Saudi Arabia for summit, sign statement

The GCC summit began with a keynote address by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman

Bahrain-Manama

Bahrain central bank extends loan repayment deferrals on Covid crisis

The option to postpone installments is to be offered to all customers residing in the kingdom, whether individuals or companies

Bahrain-Manama

Bahrain, UAE and Saudi ranked among world’s top five Islamic finance economies

Islamic Development Bank report places Bahrain in third place globally

Truck

Dubai trade with Bahrain increases 170% in 10 years

In the first half of 2020, trade between Dubai and Bahrain amounted to Dhs5.37bn

Emirates A380

Emirates to operate one-off A380 service to Bahrain this week

Emirates has flown to Bahrain for the last 20 years and has since then carried over 6 million passengers between the two countries