Manama: The Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) is actively promoting investment opportunities in the Kingdom's financial services and fintech ecosystem during the Singapore FinTech Festival 2025, held from 12 to 14 November at the Singapore EXPO.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Bahrain EDB seeks to bolster investment connections with Singapore, while emphasizing Bahrain's status as a regional hub for innovation, technology, and sustainable growth. At the Bahrain Pavilion (Hall 5, Booth 5D33), representatives from Bahrain's financial services sector and key ecosystem partners will be available to engage with investors and fintech firms, offering insights into collaboration and expansion opportunities across the GCC and MENA region through Bahrain.
Dalal Buhejji, Executive Director of Financial Services at Bahrain EDB, stated that both Bahrain and Singapore share a vision for open, innovation-driven economies. The partnership between the two financial centers continues to deepen with a focus on agility and global connectivity. Through the Singapore FinTech Festival, Bahrain's vital role as a launchpad for regional growth is being showcased, along with the strong momentum of Singaporean investment in the Kingdom.
The financial services sector is a significant contributor to Bahrain's economy, accounting for 17.2% of the Kingdom's GDP. It remains a priority for investment and policy development. Bahrain's regulatory environment, led by the Central Bank of Bahrain's fintech regulations, crypto assets, stablecoin, and open banking framework, attracts global players seeking access to the expanding GCC market.
Bahrain's favorable business environment, cost-effective operations, and access to skilled talent make it an appealing hub for fintech and financial services firms aiming for regional expansion. Recent investments from Singapore, such as the Singapore Gulf Bank and Crypto.com, underscore the confidence in Bahrain's regulatory framework and its progressive approach to digital finance.
The economic, trade, and investment ties between Bahrain and Singapore have a longstanding history. Supported by Bahrain's competitive and business-friendly environment, Singapore-based investors continue to regard the Kingdom as a strategic gateway to the broader MENA market. Enhanced connectivity, including direct Gulf Air flights between Bahrain and Singapore, strengthens this partnership, facilitating the movement of talent, capital, and innovation between the two nations.