Welcome to Bahrain
Transcription
Welcome to Bahrain
Welcome to Bahrain Agenda 1 . . 2 . . .. .. . INTRODUCTION Why Bahrain? Bahrain Ranking Market Overview 5 Welcome to Bahrain . . Bahrain ICT Snapshot Skilled Labor Force . . .. Access to the Region Favourable Business Environment QUALITY OF LIFE 06 ICT Sector BAHRAIN ICT SECTOR 4 03 EDB Role GCC OVERVIEW BAHRAIN OVERVIEW 3 . . Cost Competitiveness Attractive Tax Regime Growth Areas Strong Bilateral Relations .. Networked Readiness Key Telecom Players 09 Success Stories Regulatory Environment 18 Value Proposition 29 2 Introduction Introduction 0% 100% #1 #1 #13 Tax Regime Bahrain has the most liberal Tax regime in the Gulf Foreign Ownership Companies established in Bahrain are allowed to have 100% foreign ownership Regulation Bahrain has the leading regulatory environment for financial institutions in the Middle East Transparency Bahrain Mumtalakat – the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund is ranked 1st as the most transparent SWF. Free Economy Bahrain is ranked 13th among the freest economies in the world © Bahrain Economic Development Board 2006 – 2014 4 Introduction Bahrain Ranking Favorable Ranking’s in Global Indices Ease of finding finance to start a business in the MENA region¹ 1st Most economically free nation in the MENA region² Low cost of living in the MENA region¹ Overall experience in the GCC: Setting up, integration & quality of life³ 2nd 13th 14th 21st Overall quality of life in the GCC³ Ease of access to loans⁴ Freest economy in the world Quality of overall infrastructure (global ranking) Labour market efficiency (global ranking) Source: ¹Top Cities of the ME & NA (2012), ²2012 Economic Freedom Index ³HSBC Explorer Survey (2013), ⁴Global Competitiveness Report of the World Economic Forum (2013) © Bahrain Economic Development Board 2006 – 2014 5 Introduction Economic Development Board Promoting a world-class environment for Business EDB is a dynamic public agency with overall responsibility for attracting inward investment into Bahrain and supporting the growth and diversification of Bahrain’s economy EDB is the first point of contact for investors, assisting with: 6 EDB International Offices covering 22 countries globally Office Location Business Development USA Guidance through the decision-making process Identification of potential partners, distributors, agents and customers Facilitation Access to natural resources (gas, land, etc.), UK Germany commercial and industrial properties Commercial registration support Scandinavia, France, Italy, Spain Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg Japan Korea, Taiwan China Hong Kong India Malaysia, Singapore Aftercare Services Aftercare support Expansion support Additional Coverage © Bahrain Economic Development Board 2006 – 2014 6 GCC Overview GCC Overview GCC Market Overview Access to an economy worth $2 trillion by 2020¹ Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) comprises of 6 countries: Bahrain, KSA, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and Oman Connectivity Access to a large and growing market Tehran Iraq GCC consumers 36 million MENA consumers 440 million GCC estimated growth 4.5% Est. Regional ICT growth² 8.0% Est. Global ICT growth² 2.1% Iran Bagdad Kuwait Bahrain Dammam Riyadh Qatar Dubai Doha Abu DhabiMuscat UAE Saudi Arabia Oman Jeddah Access to the biggest market in the Gulf Region and the world’s largest oil producer; Saudi Arabia Source: ¹The Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) ²Gartner, 2014 © Bahrain Economic Development Board 2006 – 2014 8 GCC Overview GCC ICT Sector High market potential & growth opportunities GCC ICT Market Overview (USD Millions) Revenue Split by Country, 2013 (%) 70000 60000 Qatar 12% 50000 40000 KSA 52% 30000 20000 UAE 26% 10000 Oman 3% Kuwait 4% Bahrain 3% 0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 GCC Digital Media GCC Telecom Market GCC IT Hardware market GCC IT Services Market GCC Software Services 2020 Market is expected to grow at a GCC has one of the highest penetration levels in the world: CAGR of 10.2% to reach greater than 120% USD 6.47 billion by 2020 Source: Frost and Sullivan Analysis, 2014 9 Bahrain Overview Bahrain Overview Welcome to Bahrain Well Placed in the Global Economic Environment Bahrain lies at the heart of the Arabian Gulf, with fast and efficient access to every market in the Middle East by air, sea, road and 5 major undersea and land cables. Economic Facts Jordan Iraq Kuwait Saudi Arabia Qatar UAE Oman Yemen ¹World Bank 2014, ²UNCTAD World Investment Report 2014 Population¹ 1,314,089 Area 770 sq.km Nominal GDP $32.8 bn (2013) Real GDP Growth Rate 5.6% (2013) Literacy 94.6% HDI Index 0.815 (44 out of 187) Unemployment Rate 4.3% (Dec 2013) FDI Inflows² US$ 989 mn (2013) US$ 891 mn (2012) US$ 781 mn (2011) © Bahrain Economic Development Board 2006 – 2014 11 Bahrain Overview Access to the Region Less than an hour flight time from GCC countries Easy & Liberal Visa Policies One month visa upon arrival to nationals of nearly 100 countries, with the ability to renew for an additional three months Kuwait City (6 daily flights) Doha Dubai (14 daily flights) (15 daily flights) Riyadh (4 daily flights) Abu Dhabi (8 daily flights) Muscat (6 daily flights) 30 + 11 Commercial Airlines Cargo Airlines fly from our world-class Bahrain International Airport Daily Flights to the GCC Less than 1 hour flight time Doha 20 mins flight time Kuwait, Riyadh, Dubai 45 mins flight time Source: Bahrain Airport Company, 2014 46 738 60 Flight destinations worldwide Flights a week Flights a week to the GCC © Bahrain Economic Development Board 2006 – 2014 12 Bahrain Overview Cost Competitiveness Cost of doing business in Bahrain is relatively low Cost of Operations for an office size of 200sqm and 20 employees (US$ ‘000s) Manpower Utilities (6 local and 14 expatriate) (Water & Electricity) Telephone Services 650 164 Total Costs associated with operating a financial services firm in Bahrain, Qatar & Dubai: 5 149 121 3 280 2.5 260 Commercial Rent Internet Services (Corporate rate for 8mbps) 9 241 Business Set-up 39 33 236 5 4 Bahrain US$ 249,315 Qatar US$ 428,150 Dubai US$ 434,090 Doing business in Bahrain costs approx. 40% lower than Qatar and Dubai 18 82 Source: Cost of doing Business in Bahrain, KPMG Report, Dec 2013 © Bahrain Economic Development Board 2006 – 2014 13 Bahrain Overview Cost Competitiveness Cost of living in Bahrain is lower than GCC countries Cost of living index %, Manama=100% Food 1st Most affordable utilities Utilities 195 130 charges in the MENA¹ 124 181 130 109 100 73 101 100 108 Personal Care Household Supplies Recreation 179 141 100 100 89 129 124 121 83 Source: ¹Economic Intelligence Unit – March, 2014 100 121 129 115 117 100 72 95 103 99 © Bahrain Economic Development Board 2006 – 2014 14 Bahrain Overview Favorable Business Environment Freest economy in the GCC Ongoing reforms & regulatory improvements have made Bahrain the freest economy in the Arab World, for 20 consecutive years. Rank Country 1 2 12 Hong Kong Singapore United States 13 Bahrain* 14 15 18 25 28 30 48 70 76 77 120 137 United Kingdom The Netherlands Germany Japan United Arab Emirates Qatar Oman France Kuwait Saudi Arabia India China Source: The Heritage Foundation / Wall Street Journal Index of Economic Freedom 2014 * Bahrain ranked 13th out of 187 countries 100% Foreign Ownership Allowed No ‘Free zone’ Restrictions Best in Class International Arbitration Dispute Resolution Center of Excellence Bahrain Chamber of dispute Resolution in Association with American Arbitration Association © Bahrain Economic Development Board 2006 – 2014 15 Bahrain Overview Favorable Business Environment 100% Foreign Ownership allowed Companies allowed 100% foreign ownership Individuals may purchase land – freehold in prime locations for residential usage and accordingly obtain permanent residency Companies may purchase landfreehold throughout Bahrain for commercial usage. Types of 100%-owned commercial operations in Bahrain: • • • • Limited Liability Single Person Company Private Joint Stock Company Holding Company Other means for international investors to register their operations in Bahrain: • Public Joint Stock Company (up to 49% foreign ownership in any activity / sector) • Branch Office • Regional Office 16 Bahrain Overview Attractive Tax Regime Lowest Taxes in the GCC Bahrain ranked NO Corporate income tax NO personal income tax NO wealth tax on capital gains #1 Most Favorable Tax Regime in the world¹ Corporate income tax rates in the GCC countries² KSA UAE* Kuwait NO withholding tax Oman Qatar NO restriction repatriation of Bahrain capital, profits or dividends 0 FEW indirect taxes e.g. 10% municipal tax on rents Source: ¹The Global Competitiveness Report, World Economic Forum 2013 – 2014, ²KPMG Corporate Tax Report, 2014 *20% for branches of foreign banks © Bahrain Economic Development Board 2006 – 2014 17 Bahrain Overview Strong Bilateral Relations Over 60 global agreements have been signed 40+ Countries, with whom Bahrain has trade and economic agreements, including China, France, India, Singapore, the UK and the US. Strict IP Laws due to Free Trade Agreement with USA Free Trade Agreement with EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway & Switzerland) Free Trade Agreement with Singapore Duty free access throughout the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) Promotion & Protection of investment Avoidance of double taxation Reciprocal exemption of International air transport 34 countries 41 countries 6 countries Source: Ministry of Finance Note: GAFTA: GCC states, Jordan, Morocco, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, Palestine, Tunis, Libya, Sudan, Yemen Economic, Trade and Technical Cooperation 31 countries © Bahrain Economic Development Board 2006 – 2014 18 Bahrain ICT Sector Overview Bahrain ICT Overview Bahrain ICT Sector Snapshot A sophisticated base for ICT operations Broadband subscribers¹ 1.63 million Bahrain's ICT Market Overview (USD Millions) Broadband penetration 128% 1800 1600 1400 Fixed lines¹ 1200 251,000 1000 Fixed line penetration 20% 800 600 400 Telecommunications Revenues (2012) 200 0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Bahrain Digital Media Bahrain Telecom Market Bahrain IT hardware market Bahrain IT Services Market Bahrain Software Services 2020 BD 409 million Mobile subscribers¹ 20 2.21 million Mobile penetration 173% Source: ¹Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) (Q4, 2013) Bahrain ICT Overview Bahrain ICT Growth Areas Supporting business in four main ICT sub-sectors IT Cloud Computing Business Process Outsourcing Contact Centers Sector achieves a high degree of Bahrainisation 80% Software Integration Software Development Telecoms Services Web Hosting, colocation Media Animation and Film Video Games Internet Exchanges Content Distribution Network In 2012 approx. 3,100 employees worked directly in the telecoms sector 8% Compound Annual Growth Rate in the # of employees from 2006 2012 Over the top content 21 Bahrain ICT Overview Bahrain’s Networked Readiness Ranked amongst the top 30 countries Bahrain’s Networked Readiness 29th Ranking 1. Environment 28th 2. Readiness 35th 3. Usage 30th 4. Impact 32nd Strong government leadership for the extensive use and development of ICTs in the country has allowed a fairly well developed ICT infrastructure especially in terms of mobile network coverage. With a fairly stable profile, Bahrain continues to depict a robust performance. Source: The Global Information Technology Report 2013, World Economic Forum Note: 144 countries analysed in the rankings International Undersea Cables Fiber Optic Gulf (FOG) FLAG FALCON Tata TGN-Gulf Gulf Bridge International Cable System 22 Bahrain ICT Overview Bahrain’s Regulatory Environment Protecting the interests of all stakeholders NO NO TRA is an independent body Protect interests of subscribers. promoting effective and fair competition amongst operators Develop innovative communication services, available to all E-government strategy has been implemented & developed since 2007 Bahrain has become one of the pioneers of the egovernment initiative in the Arabian Gulf region. VOIP Restrictions OPEN Open and transparent regulations with fair and equal treatment of Foreign and local Telecoms operators Number of Telco offering services* National Fixed International Calls Mobile Internet Leased line Other data service 10 15 3 14 12 5 *Refer to appendix for list of Telecom providers and their respective service offerings 23 Bahrain ICT Overview Skilled Labor Force Talented young and educated Human Capital Bi-lingual highly Skilled & educated workforce at costs competitive with other countries in the GCC Bi-lingual workforce provides advantages when accessing other GCC markets Local talent pool minimizes staff turnover and having a local workforce reduces overall labour costs 94.6% Literacy 72 private schools 12 curriculum’s 2/3 of financial services workforce are Bahrainis, of which 37% are women Source: Ministry of Education, Bahrain; Central Informatics Organisation, Bahrain; Primary Research British, American, Japanese, Canadian, French, Indian, Bahrain MOE, Saudi Arabian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Filipino and SABIS 78% of secondary school graduates go on to earn a bachelor degree © Bahrain Economic Development Board 2006 – 2014 24 Bahrain ICT Overview Skilled Labor Force Substantial investments in Human Capital Backed by Tamkeen’s continued support of human resource development in all sectors, the quality of Bahrain’s workforce is one of the best in the region. Tamkeen provides salary subsidies, training & financing grants US$ 440mn investment in the private sector Finance 50% Interest 50 % Guarantee Employee Training Employment Support & Career Progression Continuous Development Salary Subsidies 4,000 Bahrainis have benefited from training and development activities 14,000 Professional Certifications beneficiaries have been served through Tamkeen’s career progression schemes since 2007 International Apprenticeship Source: Tamkeen, 2014 © Bahrain Economic Development Board 2006 – 2014 25 Bahrain ICT Overview Bahrain Development Bank BDB is an effective public policy instrument which helps create and develop Bahraini SMEs. The services provided by BDB have been fundamental in the development of the SME segment in Bahrain and are catalysts for start-up activity and growth of SMEs. BDB operates as not for profit development bank with the objective to create and support SMEs across the country Bahrain Development Bank (BDB) supports Bahraini entrepreneurship by providing financial (loans, financing tools, and venture capital) and non- financial services (business advisory, counseling, incubation) across the island We have a common shared objective among our divisions to add value to Bahraini entrepreneurs while contributing to the overall national economy. 26 Bahrain ICT Overview Products & Services Client Non-Financial Services Financial Services Incubation Business Advisory Apply for Finance or Equity 27 Bahrain ICT Overview Financial and Non-Financial Products & Services Financial Products Non-Financial Services Term Loan (Conventional) Incubation Working Capital Loan Coaching Islamic Finance Equity Advisory Equity Participation Training Composite Loan Special Schemes Indirect Loan / Trade Finance Events Educational Loan Fisheries and Agricultural Finance Private Equity Participation 28 Bahrain ICT Overview Skilled Labor Force Supporting the learning & growth of the workforce Business Advisory Services 11th sophisticated platform for entrepreneurship and innovation Specialized Training Programs, Seminars, and Workshops Rank Workspace Meeting Rooms Support Center Data Connectivity Free Software Benefits to Tech Entrepreneurs: Business & Innovation Environment¹ 1 Singapore 14 Bahrain 17 UAE 18 Belgium 24 Ireland Share knowledge and experience 25 Saudi Arabia Benefit from mentorship, coaching, and business advisory programs 36 Germany 39 France Benefit from working in a communal area with other teach entrepreneurs and businesses 37 Japan Access to a vast network provided by Rukn.me and its partners supporting them with any requirements needed to help start their ICT business 43 Turkey 71 Kuwait Source: ¹The Global Information Technology Report 2013, World Economic Forum Note: 144 countries analysed in the rankings 29 Bahrain ICT Overview Key Telecom Players Year of Establishment: 1969 (formerly Cable & Wireless) The Batelco Group has evolved from being a regional Middle Eastern operation to become a major communications company with direct and indirect investments across 14 geographies, namely Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Maldives, Diego Garcia, St. Helena, Ascension Islands, and Falklands. Year of Establishment: 2010 Year of Establishment: 2003 VIVA Bahrain, part of the STC Group, launched commercial services in Bahrain in 2010. The STC Group operates in eight countries including: Saudi Arabia, India, Turkey, Malaysia, South Africa, Indonesia, Kuwait and Bahrain. In 1983, Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) was launched in Kuwait. In 2007 however, it was rebranded to Zain. Nowadays, Zain has commercial presence in 8 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, including Bahrain. * Data services: For example, national frame relay service, international managed leased line services and international MPLS/IPVPN service. 30 Bahrain ICT Overview Success Stories ICT Companies already in Bahrain include: Cohen International Group (“Cohen”) Cohen is a diverse and dynamic company with extensive business growth in the IT & Training sector The company setup operations in Bahrain in 2012 with 4 employees Today, the company manages a team of over 114 employees in 3 strategic bases all supporting business generated out of Bahrain and the GCC region Cohen has signed agreements with a number of players including EK Kanoo group to deploy 15 web portals (2013) and a multi million Dollar contract with Dubai based Majid Al Futtaim Group (2013) Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd Tech Mahindra Limited Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. is a multinational networking and telecommunications equipment and services company. Huawei established a foreign branch in Bahrain in 2005, with a total of 3 staff members In 2008, the company moved its regional headquarters from Dubai to Bahrain Huawei currently employs over 500 staff members in Bahrain and is servicing 11 countries and eight Branches from their Bahrain Regional Headquarters. Tech Mahindra Limited is an Indian multinational provider of information technology, networking technology solutions and business support services to the telecommunications industry. The company establish an office in Bahrain in 2010 with 4 staff members Today, the company caters to Kuwait and Saudi markets from there local office. They are currently in talks for several major contracts with leading Telcos. 31 Bahrain ICT Overview Value Proposition Strong Regional Connectivity Highly Educated Workforce Transparent and Supportive Government Favorable Business Environment 32 Quality of Life Quality of Life High Quality of Life Amongst the most friendly & hospitable places to live Overall Experience Healthcare 3 Setting Up Utilities 1 Finding Organizing School Accommodation for Children 3 1 Bahrain 2 USA 23rd 19th 11th 12th 12th Japan 24th 10th 33rd 20th 36th UAE 26th 20th 19th 33rd 25th Qatar 29th 17th 20th 35th 32nd KSA 37th 27th 21st 36th 26th nd rd st rd st 1st place for each category goes to: Overall Experience - Thailand, Healthcare - Taiwan, Finding Accommodation – Cayman Islands Source: HSBC, Expat Explorer Survey 2013 Note: 5,000 expats were surveyed around the world © Bahrain Economic Development Board 2006 – 2014 34 Quality of Life High Quality of Life © Bahrain Economic Development Board 2006 – 2014 35 Thank You Bahrain Economic Development Board 13th Floor, Seef Tower PO Box 11299, Manama Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: + 973 1758 9969 Fax: + 973 1758 3330 E-Mail: [email protected] Web: www.bahrain.com This document and any oral presentations made by the Economic Development Board (EDB) contain proprietary information about the Kingdom of Bahrain and EDB. Such proprietary information shall not be disclosed, copied, duplicated, reproduced or used – in whole or in part – for any purpose other than by the reader in evaluating Bahrain’s Value Proposition(s). Otherwise, the use of such information shall be subject to the prior written consent of the EDB and any unauthorized disclosure, copying, duplication, reproduction or use will constitute an infringement of copyright. © Bahrain Economic Development Board 2006 – 2014. All Rights Reserved. 36 Appendix EDB Mission / Vision Bilateral Relations – Country List Strategic Location – Air, Sea & Road entry points Bahrain ICT Sector Trends & Growth GCC Broadband & Telephone Line Penetration Median Latencies from London Telco Service Offerings EDB’s Mission & Vision Our aim is to support the growth & diversification of Bahrain’s economy by developing a strategy that encourages inward investment & boosts competitiveness in the global marketplace. We are dedicated to raising living standards by creating greater opportunities for our citizens & by making Bahrain a highly attractive destination for business. We will accomplish these goals by working in partnership with the public & private sectors, & through passion, professionalism, & innovation in all that we do. Attracting Inward Investment Supporting initiatives that enhance the business environment Marketing the Kingdom of Bahrain through our overseas network of offices, & working closely with our embassies across the world to promote business investment opportunities Supporting initiatives that enhance the business environment & working with the Kingdom’s ministries, authorities & investors in order to position Bahrain as an attractive investment hub 38 Bilateral Relations Promotion & Protection of investments Algeria Belarus Belgium Luxembourg Brunei Bulgaria China Czech Republic Egypt France Germany India Iran Italy Jordan Lebanon Malaysia Morocco Mexico Netherlands Pakistan Philippines Spain Sudan Singapore Syria Russia Thailand Turkey Turkmenistan USA United Kingdom Uzbekistan Yemen Source: Ministry of Finance, 2014 Avoidance of double taxation Algeria Austria Barbados Belarus Belgium Bermuda Brunei Bulgaria China Czech Republic Egypt Estonia France Georgia Hungary Iran Ireland Isle man Jordan Lebanon Luxembourg Malaysia Malta Morocco Mexico Netherlands Pakistan Philippines Korea Seychelles Sudan Singapore Sri Lanka Switzerland Syria Thailand Turkey Turkmenistan United Kingdom Uzbekistan Yemen Reciprocal exemption of International air transport China France Netherlands Singapore Switzerland Yemen Free Trade Agreements USA Norway Liechtenstein Iceland Switzerland Singapore GCC Jordan Morocco Syria Lebanon Iraq Egypt Palestine Tunis Libya Sudan Yemen Economic, Trade and Technical Co-operation Australia Bangladesh Belarus Bermuda Bulgaria China Egypt France Greece Hungary India Iran Iraq Isle of man Jordan Luxembourg Malaysia Morocco New Zealand Pakistan Korea Russia Sri Lanka Syria Thailand Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan United Kingdom Uzbekistan Yemen 39 Strategic Location Source: The Global Competitiveness Report, World Economic Forum 2013 – 2014 Note: 148 countries analysed in the rankings © Bahrain Economic Development Board 2006 – 2014 40 Bahrain’s ICT Sector Growth Bahrain is one of the leading ICT economies in the region, ranked amongst the top 30 in the world¹ Figures in USD MN Average Projected Growth Hardware 8% Software 5% Services 4% 311 293 285 Communications 6% 248 266 133 238 209 91 173 225 194 302 109 212 89 93 167 187 111 117 101 243 254 143 152 123 271 336 293 314 553 572 602 2016 2017 2018 243 217 333 293 298 323 2008 2009 2010 2011 388 2012 449 474 511 2013 2014 2015 Actual Source: Digital Planet 2013, Booz & Company analysis, ¹Rethinking ICT regulation, Booz & Co, 2013 Forecast 41 GCC Fixed Broadband & Telephone Line Pentration Fixed Broadband Penetration Fixed Telephone Line Penetration 14% 23% 11% 21% 21% 17% 9% 16% 6% Bahrain UAE Qatar Saudi Arabia 10% 2% 2% Oman Kuwait Bahrain has the highest fixed (wired) broadband Penetration in the GCC due to developed infrastructure UAE Bahrain Kuwait Saudi Arabia Qatar Oman Bahrain compares well with other GCC countries in fixed telephony line penetration Looking forward, Bahrain is in the process of moving from copper to fiber optic Source: ITU World Telecommunication / ICT Indicators database 42 Median Latencies from London 200 Iran 180 Kuwait Median Latency 160 Oman 140 Bahrain Qatar UAE 120 Lebanon 100 Egypt 80 Jordan Saudi Arabia Cyprus Turkey 2500 Iraq 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 Great Circle Distance from London (km) Source: Global Traceroute Data, Renesys 43 Service’s Provided by Active Operators in Bahrain Operator Name National Fixed International Calls Mobile Internet Leased line Other data service 2Connect Ascentech telecoms Batelco Bahrain Internet eXchange BT Solutions LTD EQUANT EGN BV Etisalcom Greenisis Kalaam telecoms Light Speed Mena telecoms Moving Gulf Northstar Nuetel Communications Orbit Rapid telecoms Rawabi telecoms & Software Viacloud VIVA Bahrain Zain Bahrain 44 The Cohen International Group “Bahrain is an excellent base for our company setup. And after extensive research in the region we felt this was the place we wanted to be. In addition the support from the Bahrain Economic Development Board has been paramount and the ease of setup is truly magical. Our plans are intense and 2013 are seeing the TCIG operations at full throttle. From my experiences to date I am pleasantly surprised at the calibre of the Bahraini Nationals and their warmth and hospitality. Our commitment to Bahrain and creating jobs in Bahrain are paramount and we have embarked on a mass employment campaign in 2013 by relocating some of our Divisional Support functions from London to Bahrain. The inauguration of our office is an exciting and a step in the right direction and we are confident that it will pay dividend. The accessibility to the wider region from Bahrain as a Hub – Being centrally located enables us to outreach to the wider GCC so much easier and has made our business excel in growth beyond our expectations and I feel this is just the tip of the iceberg. Furthermore the governmental support via Tamkeen and the various programs is truly unique and one of a kind. They don't just have these programs for namesake they actually fulfil on the deliverable aspect which is key. I would recommend Bahrain as a Regional Hub for any organization and truly can confidently say that Bahrain is Business Friendly” Group Chairman/ CEO, Hyder Cohen 45