Includes steps involved in establishing a local office.
Last Published: 2/12/2019

Companies wishing to open an office in Bahrain must first register at the Bahrain Investors’ Center (BIC), located in the Bahrain Financial Harbor in Manama.  Operated by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism (MoICT), the BIC is a “One-Stop Shop” where representatives from all the different ministries involved in the registration of a business, as well as representatives from financial institutions, legal entities, and telecommunication companies, come together to support registrants.  Some commercial activities such as tourism, entertainment, schools, nurseries (daycare), and training institutions, however, may require approval from other government agencies.

MoICT’s Domestic Trade Affairs Directorate regulates all commercial licenses and activities in Bahrain.  MoICT’s Commercial Registration (CR) Department issues commercial licenses, collects registration fees, processes CR applications, publishes announcements in the official gazette, and provides counseling services to potential investors.

Applicants may obtain a commercial license application form from the BIC in the Bahrain Financial Harbor, or electronically from MoICT’s website: www.sijilat.bh.

Bahrain Investors’ Center
Bahrain Financial Harbor
Harbor Gate
PO Box 2210
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Tel : +973 1756-2222
Email: customer_relations@moic.gov.bh
Business hours: 7:30 a.m. -2:00 p.m. Sunday-Thursday
Website: www.moic.gov.bh/En/Pages/Home.aspx
Email: customer_relations@commerce.gov.bh or invest@bahrainedb.com
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.