Bahrain has been one of the Gulf’s most important commercial crossroads for over 4,000 years. The word Bahrain means ‘two seas’ in Arabic, indicating how the country’s geographic position is a collection of islands and has been important throughout its history.

As the land of the ancient Dilmun civilization, Bahrain has long been a trading centre linking the East and the West. The country has benefited from its position at the centre of the Gulf’s trade routes and rich pearl diving industry. Visitors of the Kingdom of Bahrain may learn about the antiquates of this civilization by visiting the Bahrain National Museum .

  By the Mid-19th Century, the country was the Gulf’s pre-eminent trade hub, emerging as a modern state. Merchants from countries across the Gulf and beyond established themselves on the islands. Bahrain was the first Gulf state to discover oil, in 1932, and in the past 40 years has led the regional transition to a modern economy. Subsequently, as the first Gulf state to move away from dependence on oil, the Kingdom has become the region’s most diversified economy. In particular, the country has become the region’s leading financial centre since the 1980s. Since then; manufacturing, logistics, communications, professional services and real estates have also become vital sectors. Throughout this period, great care have been given to build-up the skills and talents of the Bahraini people.  In 2002, Bahrain became a constitutional monarchy, and a democratically elected Parliament was established. This marked the beginning of a period of on-going reformation. Moreover, the Kingdom has an established legal framework and a respected regulatory system.

Source:
Bahrain Economic Development Board 

Bahrain’s Path to Democracy

Bahrain’s political system is a constitutional monarchy based on a Shura system, which is considered the ideal form of governance in Islam. The political system allows the public to exercise power in decision-making, which is the foundation upon which modern political thought is built. The executive authority selects experienced citizens to form a Shura Council, which consists of forty members appointed by royal decree, and the Council of Representatives, which is chosen by aware, free and honest people through an election. Each of these form wings of the legislative authority houses aimed at achieving the public’s wishes through the National Assembly.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has witnessed significant political, social and economic achievements following the launch of the National Action Charter and the beginning of the democratic process on 16th February, 2001 when His Majesty the King approved the result of a referendum on the National Action Charter proposed by His Majesty and was approved by 98.4% of the public, ushering Bahrain into a new democratic era.
Culminating the reform process whose rules were laid down by His Majesty the King, and to guarantee freedom of expression, opinion and choice, the people elected 40 Members of Parliament (MPs) to the Council of Representatives on 24th October, 2002, a milestone step for the legislative system in Bahrain. This was done through a direct secret general election in accordance with provisions set out in the law and stipulated in the constitution.

• Conditions for nomination to the Council of Representatives
• Conditions for membership candidacy of municipal councils
• Conditions for electing Members of Parliament
• The voting process

Parliamentary and municipal elections are held in the Kingdom of Bahrain under the full supervision and management of the judiciary, which assures free and fair elections. The Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission (LLOC) organizes the elections, taking care of administrative and logistical preparations, and in turn enhancing the impartiality, integrity and independence of the electoral process.

Achieving Social Justice and Leaving No One Behind

The Kingdom of Bahrain strives to achieve social justice and ensure happiness, prosperity and a brighter future for all. The government greatly values human rights and the fundamental and personal freedoms of all citizens. This era witnessed the birth of new institutions related to human rights such as the Public Prosecution, the National Institute for Human Rights (NIHR), the Ombudsman, the Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission, and a special unit to investigate the Public Prosecution along with the human rights committees in the Shura and Representatives Councils.
Bahrain also ensures women a prominent place in society based on principles of equality and social justice. Women have full rights under the Constitution, the Charter and laws, and enjoy extensive participation and representation in various institutions and authorities. They have an extended presence in the diplomatic and judicial corps, where the Bahraini leadership has paid great attention to creating a gender balance between men and women, with some committees devoted to women, children, and human rights.

Women won 6 seats in Parliament in 2018, the highest level of female participation in the political process in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s history. This culminated in the election of a woman as Speaker of the House of Representatives for the first time in Bahrain and the Gulf region.
The number of seats for elected women in the municipal councils increased from one in 2010 to 3 in 2014, and 4 in 2018.

Bahrain has grown successfully over the past 10 years, due its liberal economic policies, and the clear roadmap that aim to achieve prosperity for the society. The country’s annual real GDP growth ranged between 2.1% and 8.3% over the period.
The international credit rating agency Standard & Poors (S&P) affirmed a credit rating of BBB/A-2 for Bahrain with a stable outlook, supported by the positive developments that have been achieved over the past two years. The pace of economic activities which were reflected on public finances and increased government expenditures to contribute positively in achieving strong growth rates in all main sectors such as infrastructure, housing, health and education, recording 3.7% in 2012. 
Oil, gas, manufacturing industries and the financial sector had recorded a good growth during this period, which helped the continued growth.

More about Bahrain's economy