Bahrain: Cabinet Approves New Legislative and Economic Measures

Mubasher, 11 August 2025: The Bahrain Cabinet has approved key initiatives during its weekly meeting.

Among the significant measures endorsed was the approval of the Future Generations Reserve Fund’s annual report and audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending 31 December 2024. The Cabinet also reviewed the consolidated state final account for 2024.

The economic quarterly report for the first quarter of 2025 was presented, showing a 2.7% annual GDP growth at constant prices, with non-oil activities growing by 2.2%.

Other approved measures included: A draft law amendment regarding international trade regulations for endangered species, A visa exemption agreement with Uzbekistan for diplomatic passport holders, Updates to the mechanism for announcing top employers of Bahraini nationals, A property acquisition for public benefit, The government’s legislative plan for 2025 and Modifications to tourism performance indicators for 2025-2026.

The Cabinet also responded to various legislative proposals from both the Parliament and the Shura Council, including one law proposal and 14 recommendations.

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Bahrain: Introduces Specialist Unit for Human Trafficking Victims

The Daily Tribune, 5 August 2025: Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior has launched a new dedicated unit to support victims of human trafficking, operating under the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science.

The purpose-built facility features specially designed spaces for victim testimonies, including a separate area for children. The unit has been constructed to meet international standards for handling trafficking cases.

The office will work directly with judicial authorities throughout the investigative and prosecution processes, strengthening the connection between law enforcement and the courts.

The establishment of this specialist unit follows Bahrain’s existing anti-trafficking legislation, specifically Bahrain Law No. 1/2008 with Respect to Trafficking in Persons.

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Bahrain: Expands Digital Building Permit System with New Features

The Daily Tribune, 26 July 2025: Bahrain’s Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture has introduced new updates to its national building permit platform “Benayat”, expanding digital services for property development applications.

The enhancement details were unveiled at a recent workshop coordinated by the Information & eGovernment Authority and the Bahrain Real Estate Development Association, where officials demonstrated the system’s technical procedures to real estate developers and investors.

The platform now processes various permit types, including:

• Small-scale property additions
• Renovations
• Fencing installations
• Property merging and division
• Land use modifications

The system operates on a comprehensive geographic information database comprising over 300 spatial data layers and serves more than 30 public and private organisations. Users can track application status and navigate an interactive map of Bahrain through the platform.

During the workshop, the Information & eGovernment Authority provided detailed guidance on the permit application process through “Benayat”, which functions as a unified system for all building licence categories in the kingdom.

They also outlined how the platform enables engineering offices and property owners to submit applications, process payments, and access regulatory information through a centralised online service.

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Bahrain: New First Aid Requirements for All Workplaces

Bahrain Daily Tribune, 20 July 2025: All workplaces in Bahrain must now have first-aid trained staff present under new Health Ministry Rules.

The rules have been issued in Bahrain Ministerial Decision No. 16/2025. They cover employers across the private sector. Each individual site must be ready to deal with emergencies, and help must be called if someone falls ill or is injured at work.

One trained first aid person is needed for every 20 workers, and their name must be kept in a log on-site. They must hold a recognised certificate showing they have completed at least one course in first aid. In addition, another employee must be named to check supplies and liaise with inspectors. Workplaces must also have first aid boxes with all the items listed in the Ministerial Order. These must be easy to find and checked regularly to ensure all the items are usable. One box is needed for up to every 100 workers. Employers must also ensure they have a plan for emergencies, which should include ambulance contacts, maps showing the nearest clinic and exit layouts. These rules replace those issued in 1976. Those who breach these rules may be prosecuted under Article 192 of Bahrain Law No. 36/2012 or Article 129 of Bahrain Law No. 34/2018.

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Bahrain: Sets New Rules for Bankruptcy Trustee Compensation

The Daily Tribune, 14 July 2025: Bahrain’s Minister of Justice has issued new regulations governing the payment of bankruptcy trustees, giving courts enhanced control over fee determinations.

Under the new order, trustees must submit proposed fees within 10 days of appointment or at nomination. Courts will review these proposals alongside the creditors’ committee recommendations before making final decisions.

Key provisions include:

• Courts can modify fees throughout the case proceedings
• Payments will be drawn from the insolvent estate
• Assessment criteria include business size, work complexity, and asset value preservation
• Additional compensation is available for exceptional services
• Staged payments to follow prescribed tables unless courts decide otherwise

The regulations specify that:

• Stakeholders have 30 days to challenge court-set fees
• Trustee fees receive priority status over unsecured debts
• Payment can be deferred if the estates lack immediate funds
• New assessments are required for duties extending beyond six months post-reorganisation.

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Bahrain: Issues Asset Recovery and Confiscation Implementation Guide

Akhbar Al Khaleej, 8 July 2025: Bahrain Decision No. 47/2025 has been issued, releasing a guidance manual on asset recovery requests and the execution of confiscation orders.

This manual provides comprehensive procedural frameworks for retrieving assets and proceeds from crimes, accommodating both national requests and those from abroad. It includes mechanisms for executing confiscation orders from national courts and foreign judicial bodies, clarifying the roles of the involved institutions and bodies in Bahrain. It ensures conformity with relevant national laws and international conventions, particularly the UN Conventions against Corruption and Transnational Organised Crime, meeting the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The guide aims to standardise legal and procedural mechanisms for asset recovery and confiscation requests, enhance transparency and effective management of confiscated funds, and ensure respect for the rights of bona fide parties while reinforcing judicial cooperation based on bilateral and multilateral agreements.

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Bahrain: Tamkeen Unveils Updated Skills Report for Financial Sector

The Daily Tribune, 30 June 2025: The Labour Fund “Tamkeen” released an updated Financial Services Sector Skills Report under the “Skills Bahrain” initiative, in collaboration with private stakeholders, governmental bodies, and educational institutions.

The updated report reflects significant developments in Bahrain’s financial landscape, which is now a significant GDP contributor surpassing traditional oil and gas sectors, with a workforce mainly comprised of Bahraini nationals. It identifies urgent sector needs, such as advanced skills in digital transformation, cybersecurity, and data analytics, alongside with growing demand for roles like compliance officers and sustainability officers, due to the increasing emphasis on ESG practices.

The report advocates enhanced skill development strategies which will equipping the national workforce with capabilities which enable them to respond to sectoral shifts and to reinforce Bahrain’s status as a financial leader. Legal entities and associated sector participants should reflect these insights into workforce planning, and align their training and development initiatives to meet these evolving industry standards and global practices.

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