BAHRAIN

Sustainability

A considerable share of the country’s growth over the last two decades was driven by the public sector. Bahrain seeks to diversify its economy and create a market that can more readily compete in the global economy. Bahrain aims to have the private sector drive economic growth independently by 2030. Government finances will adhere to the principle of sustainability, upholding a system that is stable and forward-looking. Bahrain will use its resources to invest in the future, improving its human capital through education and training, particularly in the field of applied sciences. In a world where modern technology and new competitors from across the globe are continually shortening product lifetimes, entrepreneurship, and innovation will ensure the sustainability of a vibrant private sector. Nonetheless, economic growth must never come at the expense of the environment and the long-term well-being of Bahrainis. No effort will be spared to protect Bahrain’s environment and preserve the Kingdom’s cultural heritage which includes three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Bahrain has also set a target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.

Competitiveness

Bahrain aims to attain a high level of competitiveness in the global economy. Increased productivity comes about naturally in a competitive environment, driving further economic growth, profitability, and wages. Only high and continuously improving productivity will enable businesses to increase their employees’ wages. Higher productivity requires people with the right skills for each position. Bahrain is already home to one of the most-skilled and highly educated workforce in the region, with plans to further upskill and train Bahrainis to be the employees of choice whilst building the human capital advantage, especially in technology and emerging skills.

The Kingdom also strives to become the ideal investment destination for both local and foreign companies. Bahrain offers the region’s best-value operating costs, up to 45% more cost effective than the rest of the region, supported by forward-looking regulations with 100% foreign ownership offered in most business sectors. Other factors that make Bahrain attractive to investors in high-value-added industries include high-quality public services, a cutting-edge infrastructure and an appealing living environment.

Fairness

The country’s future economic success will impact society more widely, creating a broad base of prosperity. Every individual can make a worthwhile contribution to society, given the means and the opportunities.

For fairness to be nurtured, all transactions made by both the public and private sectors must be transparent. Free and fair competition should prevail, with private and public activities taking place in the open, whether they concern employment, land for public auction or the outcome of a tender.

The Government of Bahrain is committed to providing the legal and regulatory framework that ensures the protection of consumers and fair treatment for business owners – including foreign investors.

This means stamping out any opportunity for corruption and seeing that laws are justly enforced. Fairness in society means that all are treated equally under the law, that all people have equal access to public services, and have their rights protected without discrimination.

These three guiding principles are in line with the global Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDGs). High economic growth, government finance, improving human capital, fairness, and a highly competitive market will lead to achieving most of the SDGs. These goals are considered as part of the government’s current priorities and remain linked to the executive actions of the Government Program.

History

Quranic schools (Kuttab) were the only form of education in Bahrain at the beginning of the last century. They are traditional schools aimed at teaching children and youth the reading of the Holy Quran.

1919 marked the beginning of the modern public school system in Bahrain. Al-Hidaya Al-Khalifia school for boys was established in the northern tip of Muharraq. The first Committee of Education consisted of several leading merchants and was presided over by the late Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa Al-Khalifa who was popularly known as ‘the Minister of Education’.

He was also responsible for the management of Al-Hidaya school. In 1926, the Education Committee established the second public school for boys in Manama. In 1928 the first public school for girls was established in Muharraq. Due to the financial and administrative difficulty faced by the Education Committee, the schools came under the direct control of the government in 1930.

Private Education / Non-Governmental

The Department of Private Education in the Ministry of Education supervises private educational institutions. This department coordinates with other departments of the Ministry, providing technical support and assistance to all private educational institutions such as helping in finding teachers, providing textbooks for the Arabic language, Islamic education, and the history and geography of Bahrain. It also allocates specialists from the Ministry to guide the teachers regarding the above-mentioned materials. The private educational institutions include different types of kindergartens and private schools, which are divided into national and international schools and communities.