Bahrain has announced a new wave of Golden Licence projects worth $4.4bn, strengthening its position as one of the Gulf’s most attractive destinations for global investment.
The four large-scale ventures will create more than 1,100 jobs and support national economic diversification, spanning technology, real estate, and green manufacturing.
The announcement was made during Gateway Gulf 2025, where more than 200 global investors, business leaders, and policymakers gathered to explore high-value partnerships across the region.
Bahrain Golden Licences
- Beyon and Oracle partnership: Launching a sovereign cloud data centre in Bahrain to host clients using Oracle applications
- Binaa Al Bahrain (powered by Eagle Hills): A Bahrain–UAE real estate venture shaping next-generation urban developments to support sustainable growth and modernisation
- Arla Foods expansion: The Bahrain-based facility of the Danish multinational has launched a new product line, positioning Arla as the region’s second-largest dairy producer. The expansion supports Bahrain’s food security strategy and enables exports to the EU, Africa, China, Japan, and Indonesia
- Foulath Holding: The steel conglomerate and parent company of Bahrain Steel and SULB will expand its existing facilities with a solar-powered project, enhancing sustainable industrial output
Bahrain investor appeal
Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, said: “As a trusted destination for investment for global enterprises, owing to an agile government and highly skilled talent pool, the island nation of Bahrain has proven its strength as a place where business ambition meets opportunity.
“The Golden Licences awarded to these four pivotal projects add to the diversity of projects that have been awarded since the initiative was first launched in April 2023, bringing the total investment value to over $6bn for the cumulative portfolio.
“The Golden Licence is more than an initiative – it is a reflection of our Team Bahrain approach and our unwavering commitment to simplifying growth, accelerating success, and partnering with companies to build a thriving economic future.”
The Team Bahrain approach has been central to the country’s investment strategy, combining public–private collaboration with forward-looking regulation to build a digitally ready, innovation-driven economy. The Bahrain EDB plays a key role in this framework, serving as a bridge between government and investors.
Strong FDI performance
Bahrain continues to accelerate its economic diversification agenda, with non-oil GDP now contributing 85.3 per cent of total GDP as of 2024.
The financial services sector remains the largest contributor at 17.2 per cent, followed by manufacturing at 15.1 per cent.
The country’s foreign direct investment (FDI) stock rose to $45.5bn in 2024, achieving an FDI stock-to-GDP ratio of 96.5 per cent — more than double the global average of 45.8 per cent.
These results underscore Bahrain’s growing reputation for transparency, agility, and investor trust, driven by a skilled, bilingual workforce, pro-business policies, and advanced digital infrastructure.
Future-ready economy
Through initiatives such as the Golden Licence and Gateway Gulf, the country is positioning itself as a regional hub for innovation, sustainable industry, and global enterprise, while enabling investors to participate directly in its long-term growth story.
