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Regulatory Landscape

Understand the key regulators, licensing bodies, and compliance framework governing business in Bahrain.

Who Regulates What

Key Regulatory Bodies

🏛️ MOICT

Ministry of Industry & Commerce

  • Commercial registration (CR)
  • Business licensing
  • Economic Substance compliance
  • Company law enforcement

🏦 CBB

Central Bank of Bahrain

  • Banking and insurance licensing
  • Capital markets regulation
  • AML/CFT compliance
  • FinTech regulatory sandbox

💰 NBR

National Bureau for Revenue

  • VAT registration and administration
  • Excise tax enforcement
  • Tax audit and investigation
  • Tax residency certificates

👷 LMRA

Labour Market Regulatory Authority

  • Work permit issuance
  • Labour market regulation
  • Bahrain-isation quotas
  • Labour levy administration

🏗️ RERA

Real Estate Regulatory Authority

  • Real estate broker licensing
  • Developer registration
  • Property disputes resolution
  • Valuation standards

🏥 NHRA

National Health Regulatory Authority

  • Healthcare facility licensing
  • Pharmaceutical regulation
  • Medical device approvals
  • Health professional registration
Key Dates

Annual Compliance Calendar

MONTHLY
GOSI contributions

Due by 15th of following month

QUARTERLY
VAT returns (under BHD 5M)

Due 28 days after period end

ANNUAL
CR renewal

Before expiry date on commercial registration

ANNUAL
ESR notification

Within 6 months of financial year end

ANNUAL
CRS/FATCA reporting

Due by 30 September each year

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