About the Bahrain Economic Development Board

The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) is a dynamic public agency with an overall responsibility for formulating and overseeing the economic development strategy of Bahrain, and for creating the right climate to attract direct investment into the Kingdom.

Our role is to provide leadership by uniting all of the Kingdom's shareholders through a unified vision, and to develop key strategies for growth. The Bahrain EDB also acts as a facilitator, helping all of Bahrain's stakeholders to understand and adopt the changes necessary for progress. In addition, we provide sound project management to ensure that all agreed reform initiatives are implemented in an effective and timely manner.

The Bahrain EDB is chaired by the Crown Prince, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

We have played a leading role in a number of important recent initiatives, including: becoming the first country in the Arab world to fully liberalise its telecoms industry; bringing about the privatisation law; and establishing a Free Trade Agreement with the United States.We are also responsible for attracting inward investment into Bahrain, and are focusing on several economic sectors in which the Kingdom offers significant strengths, and in line with the local culture.

Bahrain has long had a successful track record in education - it was the first country in Middle East to introduce universal education for men and women (over 70 years ago). It is now working to reform its education system to meet the economic and social challenges of the 21st century by supporting growth and development, and ultimately, providing greater opportunity for all Bahrainis.