Looking ahead, an investment rate of, at least, 25% of gdp will be needed to sustain current levels of economic growth over time, helping to attain price stability at the same time. For this purpose, the harmonization of the whole set of instruments of economic policy should be oriented to protect the purchasing power of national income.
Bahrain’s economy has become the most diversified of any in the GCC, with the financial sector accounting for over one quarter of our national output, a larger share than oil production and processing. At present, over 400 licensed financial institutions operate in Bahrain, including 133 banks and 167 insurance companies. Many are branches or offices of major financial institutions.