Foreign direct investment flows to Bahrain grew 114 percent in 2017, according to the World Investment Report issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), be it the fastest growing country in GCC region. This growth is recorded despite the contraction of global direct investment flows by 23%.
According to UNCTAD, a number of factors have contributed to this growth, including Bahrain's economic reforms in recent years, including the amendment of the Commercial Companies Law and the permit to own up to 100% in a number of additional sectors.
This is an example of the openness of the Bahraini business environment that supports the growth of foreign direct investment. This trend continues this year, with a number of developments in the first half.
The "Best Global Investment" classification is determined by the level of investment in the country's capital and performance in a number of key international indicators. The report takes into account a number of sources including the World Bank, the World Economic Forum and the United Nations Human Development Index. It also included the Economic Development Board (EDB) as one of the world's leading investment promotion institutions this year, with the Council emerging with four other regional bodies.