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Passenger traffic increases 
at BIA during the Gulf Cup

Bahrain International Airport (BIA) reported a significant increase in passenger traffic during the Gulf Cup Tournament held between January 4-18. 
 More than 20,000 football fans were registered at BIA during the period.

Mohammad Yousif Albinfalah, CEO of Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) said: “We were pleased to greet this huge number of football fans at Bahrain International Airport, the airport was full of energy, not only by flocks of incoming fans, but by all employees at the airport as well.”

Bahrain Airport Company organised a number of meetings with airport authorities to accommodate the additional flights organised by a number of GCC countries for their national team’s football fans, reaching a total of 140 additional flights outside the schedule, 90 of which were for the final match day on January 18 (both arriving and departing), which led to a dramatic increase in air traffic and passengers.In common with several other Gulf states, and indeed countries across the world, Bahrain is shifting from a system based on rote-learning to a more nuanced and pupil-focused model which seeks to do more than just impart knowledge.

Autumn Fair draws thousands of visitors

Autumn Fair turned out to be a huge success, where the number of visitors during the first three days reached 47,000.

The fair that opened last Wednesday attracted 700 exhibitors from 20 countries, 118 Bahraini companies and institutions, in addition to the participation of the Handicrafts Development Centre at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

The Exhibition will continue till Thursday.

due to the financial crisis. The crisis sent shock waves around the world and affected countless projects everywhere” commented Hisham Alrayes, the Chairman of Gulf Holding Company.

“While it has been a challenge to continue the development from sales proceeds, we have restructured the project to extend short term liabilities and bring new funding partners on board. Accordingly, we are pleased today to have Al Hamad as a continued partner completing the construction against part ownership in the Villamar towers. Al Hamad is expected to resume work on site once a new project manager is appointed within the next coming few weeks” continued Alrayes.

Central bank welcomes S&P’s upgrade


The Central Bank of Bahrain welcomed the revised outlook of the Kingdom by Standard & Poor’s from negative to stable. Bahrain’s credit rating remained at (‘BBB/A-2).

In revising its outlook, credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) recognised Bahrain has emerged from its 2011 crisis with a more restrained but stable economy, primarily driven by a buoyant hydrocarbon sector and higher public spending. In fact, the outlook on the Kingdom reflects S&Ps view of Bahrain’s stable growth,well regulated financial system, and manageable asset quality risks amongst other factors.

Welcoming the announcement, Rasheed Mohammed Al Maraj, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain said: “the revision of Bahrain’s outlook by S&P is not only recognition of Bahrain’s sound economic management but also a vote of confidence in the Kingdom’s economic reform programme and ability to withstand different shocks. ”