Bahrain – Staying at the centre: Reaching out to stay ahead

Bahraini bankers worry about a new Gulf war and fall-out from the Asia crisis. But there may be a bigger threat: competition for Bahrain's role as the Gulf's financial centre. It is responding by strengthening regulation, encouraging deeper capital markets and pushing for greater regional cooperation. By Nigel Dudley

A SUPPLEMENT TO EUROMONEY/MARCH 1998: BAHRAIN

There is renewed conviction in Bahrain that it can hold on to its position as the Gulf’s main financial centre, after a long period in which offshore banks based in the emirate were questioning their raison d’être. Domestic institutions were constrained by its relatively small economy and some foreign banks were tempted to move their regional headquarters to neighbouring Dubai. Now, the emirate’s strictly regulated market once again appears attractive at a time of international political and financial instability.

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