Bahrain: Customs Law Amendments Aim to Streamline Trade Procedures

Bahrain Daily Tribune, 11 April 2026: Bahrain has referred proposed amendments to the GCC Unified Customs Law to Parliament under Bahrain Decree No. 23/2026, seeking to simplify customs procedures and improve trade efficiency.

The draft amendments would ease the transfer of goods between customs points by reducing documentation requirements. Under the proposed new wording of Article 72 of Bahrain Decree No. 23/2026, goods moved from one customs office to another would no longer require a full customs declaration at the point of entry. Instead, transfers would be processed under documents and conditions set by the Director‑General, introducing greater administrative flexibility.

The bill also proposes duty exemptions for imports by the armed forces and security agencies, including equipment and vehicles, subject to official approval. These measures aim to support operational readiness while maintaining regulatory oversight.

The amendments align with decisions of the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee and will take effect once approved by Parliament and published in the Official Gazette. Authorities stated that the changes are intended to enhance customs efficiency, reduce delays, and facilitate smoother trade flows across GCC borders.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Bahrain: Crown Prince Backs Full Compensation for Citizens Following Iranian Aggression

6 April 2026: The Bahraini Crown Prince has chaired a Cabinet Meeting at which the implementation of a directive of the King to provide full compensation to citizens whose vehicles or property has been damaged in the hostilities was considered.

The Crown Prince has tasked the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance to assess the economic impact of Iranian aggression and implement appropriate measures to support national employment and economic growth. The committee is to submit a report to the Cabinet on this.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Bahrain: Shura Panel Moves to Block Companies Law Amendment

Bahrain Daily Tribune, 5 April 2026: Bahrain’s Shura Council is reviewing a proposal to amend Bahrain Decree-Law No. 21/2001 On the Issuance of the Commercial Companies Law, as its Financial and Economic Affairs Committee recommends rejecting the draft over long‑term economic risks.

The Shura Council is examining the report of its Financial and Economic Affairs Committee on a draft law amending Article 264 of Bahrain Decree-Law No. 21/2001. The draft, submitted by the Council of Representatives in an amended form, is currently under consideration.

Committee member Khalid Al‑Maskati said the committee recommended rejecting the amendment, warning that it could impose additional burdens on businesses and weaken Bahrain’s competitiveness. He stressed that the Kingdom’s long‑standing policies to attract investment and build confidence had delivered strong results and should not be undermined.

Al‑Maskati cited Bahrain’s more than 91,000 commercial registrations, dominated by small and medium‑sized enterprises, and noted significant growth in foreign direct investment, including over $2 billion in industrial FDI. He said these gains reflected coordinated legislative and executive efforts and a free, competitive economic environment.

The committee concluded that altering the framework in a way that disrupts this balance could harm the national economy over the long term. It therefore urged rejection of the draft to preserve investment appeal and support sustainable growth.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Bahrain: Faster Rebuilding Path for Homes Damaged by Fire

7 April 2026: Families in Bahrain which have lost their home in a fire will be able to benefit from humanitarian exceptions to the planning law under proposals.

The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture has given in principle approval for to a proposal by a Northern Municipal Council Member which would allow building permits to be issued for the rebuilding of fire damaged homes even where they would fall under the Cities and Villages Development Project guidelines regulations.

The Ministry has confirmed that administrative and regulatory procedures are now underway to formally integrate the proposal into official guidelines.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Bahrain: Proposal to Ease Rent

7 April 2026: Five Bahraini MPs have proposed rent relief for Bahraini shopkeepers and factory owners as a result of the economic impact of the Iranian attacks.

The MPs want there to be six month waiver of industrial plot lease fees and shop rents.

It was stated that the move is needed as trade has slowed in some areas while costs have increased.

The MPs have stated the waiver should cover Bahraini owners of factories and industrial establishments, as well as commercial tenants in municipally managed premises, including craft shops and repair workshops.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Bahrain: MPs seek suspension of fishing ban

31 March 2026: A group of Bahraini MPs proposed temporarily suspending a ban on catching three fish species to address supply shortages and rising prices caused by regional disruptions.

Five Bahraini MPs have submitted an urgent proposal calling for the temporary suspension of Bahrain Decision No. 2/2024, which prohibits the catching of safi, shaari, and andaq fish. The proposal has argued that recent regional security incidents, including Iranian attacks, disrupted supply lines and reduced fish imports, are leading to higher prices in local markets.

The motion stated that strained regional logistics have made local fish production essential to maintaining food availability for citizens and residents.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Bahrain: Interior ministry imposes comprehensive ban on drone use

31 March 2026: Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior has imposed a complete nationwide ban on the use of drones following ongoing airspace security concerns.

Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior has announced a total ban on the use of drones, applying to all devices regardless of purpose, in response to heightened airspace security threats.

Officials have confirmed that any drone detected in breach of the ban will be intercepted and destroyed, and legal action will be taken against those responsible.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Bahrain: MP Urges Labour Ministry To Ensure Timely Payment Of Unemployment Allowances

Bahrain Daily Tribune, 31 March 2026: A Bahraini MP called on the Labour Ministry to rectify technical faults in its electronic services and ensure that unemployment allowances and compensation payments are made without delay.

Bahraini MP Mohammed Al Olaiwi urged the Ministry of Labour to promptly resolve a technical fault affecting its online services and to guarantee the uninterrupted payment of unemployment allowances and compensation. His remarks followed an announcement by the ministry on its official social‑media account stating that a technical issue had affected its electronic services and that work was under way, in coordination with the relevant authorities, to address the problem.

The ministry had assured beneficiaries that the technical disruption would not result in the loss of unemployment allowances or compensation payments due to claimants. Al Olaiwi stressed that the ministry must adhere strictly to this assurance, noting that large numbers of jobseekers rely on these payments as their principal source of income.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.