• Bahrain, one of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, lies at the heart of the Arabian Gulf, with fast and efficient access to every market in the Middle East by air, sea and road.
• The Gulf market cannot be ignored. It is a fast growing economy significant to global firms. It attracts more and more foreign investment across a broad range of sectors.
• Bahrain – and the Gulf – are still poised to grow in 2009.

Population: 1,039,297 (approximately 50% expatriates)
Area: 770 sq. km
GDP: $21.8bn (2008)

1. Market Access to Gulf Economies and larger areas: More than 65 trade agreements that Bahrain has signed and US-Bahrain FTA signed in 2006 offer huge opportunities.
2. Free and well advanced business environment:
   
3. 100% foreign-owned business
   
4. The Most favorable tax rates: 0 corporate income tax, 0 personal income tax…
   
5. Cost competitiveness: low living cost, low salary, low office occupancy cost, low gas, electricity & water cost, and low cost & high ease of setting up a business
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. The most educated, skilled workforce in the Gulf: 2/3 of financial services workforce are Bahraini, of which 37% are women.
7. Tamkeen (Labor Fund) offers help in recruitment and training of Bahrainis through:
   –Training Support (free training)
   　Training course to be chosen by Employer and setup at BIBF
   –Salary Support (subsidizing salaries)
   　(50% of salary provided the subsidy does not exceed BD200/month for 2 years)
8. Open, democratic society and Highest quality of life: Bahrain ranked 5th best place to live.
   

JL Consulting is entrusted as a representative of Economic Development Board (EDB) of Bahrain in China. If you need more information and tailored consulting service in investing in Bahrain, please contact:

JL Consulting