Negative List

Business activities not allowed or restricted in the Kingdom  of Bahrain

•   Gambling
•   Alcoholic drinks manufacturing
•   Narcotics manufacturing
•   Weapons manufacturing
•   Import of all types of waste and treatment, storage and dumping of radioactive materials and toxic waste in Bahrain
•   Import, manufacturing and dealing of Asbestos and its by-products (not including Asbestos removal)
•   Import and industrial use of prohibited chemicals*
•   Pearl culture
•   Manufacture of  cigarettes
•   Import of automatic cigarette vending machines
•   Letter post (Exclusive to Bahrain Post )

Business activities allowed only for Bahraini nationals and companies
  

• Real estate services and rental and management of land and property (not including buying and selling, management of personal property or consultancy services)
•   Press, publication and distribution house (Daily, non-daily, and specialized newspapers and magazines)
•   Printing Press
•   Artistic, television, radio, and theatre production and distribution
•   Cinematic filming studio
•   Management and operation of cinema theatres and film distribution
•   Cinema hall
•   Goods land transport
•   Passenger land transport
•   Tourist land transport
•   Domestic sea cruises
•   Driving instruction
•   Motorcycle rental
•   Car rental
•   Call taxi
•   Oil products supply  (Stations)
•   Gas bottling and distribution
•   Cooker re-filling and repairing
•   Gas cylinder distribution
•   Handling and processing formalities with Government Departments and Authorities
•   Hajj and Umra Services
•   Foreign manpower supply
•   Commercial agencies 
•   Small business activities

Business activities allowed only for Bahrainis and GCC nationals and companies

• Bookkeeping and accounting services (not including auditing)
•   Import, export, and/or sale of racing car fuel
•   Cargo clearing
•   Fishing

Other restrictions

• Trade and retail: minimum of 51% Bahraini ownership is required. For GCC companies and partners, a Bahraini partner is required 
•  Tourism and travel offices: Bahraini partner is required
•   Medical Clinics and Centers: licensing is confined to Bahraini and GCC citizens (resident in Bahrain) with medical qualifications  - Restriction does not apply to hospitals
•   Pharmacies: a minimum of 50% of the company’s capital must be owned by a Bahraini pharmacist