Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive, Bahrain EDB

1. PreMoney MENA
December 6th 2015

2. Promoting a world-class environment for business
EDB is the first point of contact for investors, delivering a world class,
seamless experience across the investor lifecycle
Business development
• Guidance through the
decision-making process
• Identification of potential
partners, distributors, agents
and customers
Facilitation
• Access to natural resources
(gas, land, etc.), commercial
and industrial properties
• Commercial registration
support
Aftercare services
• Aftercare support
• Expansion support
The Economic Development Board is a dynamic public agency with overall responsibility for attracting investment into
Bahrain and supporting the growth and diversification of Bahrain’s economy

3. The regional opportunity
Source: Frost and Sullivan Analysis ¹The Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) ²Gartner, 2014
The regional ICT opportunity
GCC ICT sector expected
growth
10%
per annum over
the next 5 years
IT spending the Middle east
region
$200 bn
in 2015
MENA region Internet users
(6hrs/day)
200 mn
GCC global smartphone
penetration rate
120%
By 2020 the population of the GCC is expected to
increase by one third
GDP
$1.6tn
Population
50.7mn
Imports
$464bn
Exports
$932bn
2013
2014
2013
2013
A young, growing, technologically adept and affluent
population which is seeing rapid growth in demand for mobile
data, applications and services.

4. Addressing the Challenges
Training that
builds and retains
human capital
Reduced
regulation
Lower start-up costs
and easier access
to funding

5. Bahrain offers the optimal environment for technology focused investment in the
region
Huawei’s regional HQ
Microsoft
WIPRO
local and international IT
service providers already
based in the Kingdom
including:
The most liberalised telecom sector in the
Gulf
Bahrain is well connected, with five sub-
marine cables
Bahrain offers an ideal testing ground for new
technologies, due to its demographic make-
up, its ring-fenced market and tech-savvy
population
30+
Highly skilled domestic workforce with
Bahrainis comprising 70% of the ICT sector
workforce

6. Bahrain’s Networked Readiness ranked amongst the top countries globally
Source: 1International Telecommunications Union, 2World Economic Forum
King Fahad
Causeway
GCC
Interconnection
Grid
Flag Falcon
Fiber Optic
Gulf (FOG)
TATA
Gulf Bridge
International
Cable System
#1
15
5
91%
of population have Internet access -
well above the global average of 40%
ranked as the #1 country in the Arab
world (and 27th globally) in ICT
development1
ranked among the top 15 countries in
the world for individual mobile and
internet usage2
ranked among the top 5 countries in
the world for government policy,
development and services2
International Undersea Cables

7. Supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem
Bahrain has a well established environment for supporting entrepreneurs
42 Countries follow
Bahrain’s model
of Bahrainis are
interested in starting
their own business
70%
Education &
Training
Access to
Finance
Professional
Support
Incubators &
Accelerators
The Bahrain SME Model is
endorsed by UNIDO as the
Best SME model in the World.
Bahrain organisations create a
platform for entrepreneurial
support

8. Achieving success for generations to come
A culture of innovation and entrepreneurship
A developing, supportive ICT ecosystem
Mentorship and support for start-up businesses
Working with international and local partners
to foster and grow the sector

9. 9
Thank you
9
Thank you
8