Businessmen see “Bahrain Investment Market” as an opportunity to enhance competitiveness

Bahrain Bourse – Manama, Bahrain – Wednesday, April 26, 2017:

Bahrain Bourse (BHB) continued its stakeholder engagement and awareness roadshow about the newly-launched Bahrain Investment Market (BIM), an equity market for growing business ventures in Bahrain and the wider MENA region, with a presentation today (Wednesday, April 26) for members of the Bahrain Family Business Association (BFBA) and Bahrain Businessmen’s Association (BBMA).

Speaking at the event, CEO of the Bahrain Bourse, Shaikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said, “Family businesses and fast-growing entrepreneurial ventures stand to benefit greatly from the Bahrain Investment Market. Its model is designed to enable business owners to raise capital quickly and at a relatively low cost while remaining largely in control of management and decision-making processes.”

Bahrain’s Investment Market, which was officially launched in March 2017 by the Bahrain Bourse, features easier admission and financial disclosure rules, access to global investors, guidance services through specialized professional advisory firms, a dedicated Tamkeen support program, and many other benefits.

Family businesses remain a significant contributor to Arab economies. According to recent studies, family businesses account for about 85% of the Arab World’s non-oil GDP. In Bahrain, this category constitutes around 95% of all private sector businesses.

President of the BFBA Khalid Kanoo said, “Family businesses are strategically important to the national economy. Hence, it is critical to have initiatives such the Bahrain Investment Market which enable these businesses to enhance their corporate governance and scale up their operations in order to become more competitive in today’s globalized economy.”

For his part, Chairman of the BBMA Ahmed bin Hindi noted, “One of the major factors which contribute to private sector growth is access to a wide range of financing sources that cater to a wide range of private sector segments. The Bahrain Investment Market is a welcome addition that will help fill an important financing gap for companies who want to publicly list but are not yet able to meet the Bahrain Bourse Mainboard’s criteria.”

Companies interested in listing on BIM and specialized advisory firms interested in becoming authorized by the BHB may contact the BHB Help Desk by calling (+973) 17 261260 or emailing info@bahrainbourse.com.

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About Bahrain Investment Market (BIM):

Bahrain Investment Market (BIM) is an innovative equity market designed to meet the needs of companies seeking growth capital. BIM aims to encourage entrepreneurship and strengthen the private sector by enabling companies looking to grow and expand by obtaining the capital needed via direct offering. BIM offers a more relaxed regulatory framework with easier disclosure and minimal admission requirements, as well as support and guidance provided through specialized advisory firms.

BIM rules are approved by the Central Bank of Bahrain and the market is operated by Bahrain Bourse.

About Bahrain Bourse

Bahrain Bourse is a self-regulated multi-asset marketplace operator established since 1987. Bahrain Bourse offers various asset classes to meet the capital growth needs of investors including: shares, mutual funds, bonds & sukuk, treasury bills, and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). Bahrain Bourse is a member of several regional and international capital markets associations including the Union of Arab Stock Exchanges, Federation of Euro-Asian Stock Exchanges "FEAS", World Federation of Exchanges "WFE", Africa & Middle East Depositories Association "AMEDA", and Association of National Numbering Agencies "ANNA", International Organization of Securities Commissions “IOSCO”.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Ali Al-Mansoor

Director of Corporate Communications - Bahrain Bourse

Office: (+973) 17 108822

e-Mail: ali.almansoor@bahrainbourse.com

For general inquiries, please contact: