Oxford Business Group to launch report on Bahrain

The Report: Bahrain 2009, which has been produced by Oxford Business Group (OBG), a global publishing, research and consultancy firm, was launched on 20th July 2009 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in the presence of Abby Lindenberg, Regional Director, Oliver Cornock, Regional Editor of Oxford Business Group; Dr. Zakaria Hejres, Deputy Chief Executive of Economic Development Board; Samir Sami, Chief Corporate Officer of Securities & Investment Company; Essa Al Jowder, Senior Partner of Ernst & Young and Hatim Zu'bi, Partner of Qays H. Zu'bi Attorneys and Legal Consultants.

OBG's latest report on Bahrain's economy includes a detailed, sector-by-sector guide for foreign investors, together with a wide range of interviews with the most prominent political, economic and business leaders, including Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain. Other key figures interviewed include the minister of finance, Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa; the former UN secretary-general, Boutros Boutros-Ghali; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, the chief executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board.

High-profile international figures, such as Bill Rammell, the former UK minister of state for foreign and Commonwealth affairs, presently the UK minister of state for the Armed Forces; Javier Solana, the EU high representative for the common foreign and security policy; and Lim Hng Kiang, the minister of trade and industry for Singapore, also give their views on Bahrain's economic development.

The Report: Bahrain 2009 looks in detail at the extent to which the Kingdom is flying the flag of change in the region. It highlights the socioeconomic developments and reform processes that are not only gathering pace, but already paying dividends and playing a key role in attracting foreign investors to Bahrain.

As Bahrain's government gears up to shift its dependency away from hydrocarbons, The Report: Bahrain 2009 maps out the steps that the Kingdom is taking to attract foreign investment, which include offering fully integrated infrastructure, 100% foreign-owned companies and a well-documented, business-friendly environment. There is particular emphasis on the significant growth taking place in the financial services sector, which is generating worldwide interest.

OBG's latest report also analyses the transformation that has taken place in telecommunications since the sector was liberalised. It looks in detail at the rapid growth that has followed and considers the further reforms earmarked for this area of business.

The Report: Bahrain 2009 has been produced in partnership with Bahrain's Economic Development Board. Contributions have also been made by Securities and Investment Company BSC (SICO) as OBG's capital markets research partner, Qays H. Zu'bi Attorneys and Legal Consultants as its legal partner, and Ernst and Young as its accountancy partner.

Suzanne Claiden, OBG's Country Director, said that Bahrain's timely decision to take steps to diversify its economy had given it an edge during a challenging era.

"Bahrain was not only the first oil producer in the Gulf, it was also the first state in the region to become aware of the need for diversification. With this decision now paying off, these are exciting times to launch our new report on Bahrain,"

she said.

Oliver Cornock, OBG's Regional Editor, agreed, saying that the move to open up the economy to foreign players and make the most of its location at the gateway to the northern Gulf had helped to strengthen Bahrain's strategic position.

He also highlighted the important role that OBG's partners had played in producing The Report: Bahrain 2009. "Our partners have made an invaluable contribution to the report, using their expertise to provide OBG's team with high-level credible and accurate analysis of Bahrain's economic developments," he added.

Dr. Zakaria Hejres said the Economic Development Board welcomed the newest edition of The Report: Bahrain which highlights trends in Bahrain's economy and continued opportunities for business. "The report will prove to be a useful resource detailing recent economic and political developments in the Kingdom," he said. "We are delighted to have played a key role in the compilation of The Report: Bahrain 2009 and to have collaborated with OBG. We believe it will strengthen and reinforce the view of Bahrain as an ideal location from which international companies can access markets across the Gulf."

The Report: Bahrain 2009 marks the culmination of more than six months of groundbreaking field research by a team of analysts from OBG, assessing trends and developments in all major sectors of the economy, including energy, industry, finance, banking, tourism, transport and real estate.

With an international distribution of 73,000 copies, The Report forms part of the range of OBG's publications, which are renowned as leading sources of information on developing and emerging economies around the world. Available in print form and online, The Report: Bahrain 2009 will be the most comprehensive report on the country's investment and business opportunities ever published.