Bahrain investment forum Gateway Gulf 2025 concluded with more than $17bn worth of landmark partnerships and agreements, underscoring the Kingdom’s growing international appeal as a regional business and innovation hub.
Hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), the two-day event at the Four Seasons Hotel, Bahrain Bay brought together more than 200 ministers and global business leaders under the theme “Rethinking Global Investment for New Trade Dynamics.”
Inaugurated by Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, the event featured welcome remarks from Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy, who reiterated Bahrain’s role as a “hub of innovation and opportunity” and a “bridge between East and West.”
Gateway Gulf 2025 in Bahrain
He noted that the Kingdom is confidently stepping into “the age of intelligence.”
The forum’s 60 deals and announcements directly support Bahrain’s five non-oil priority sectors — Financial Services, ICT, Manufacturing, Logistics, and Tourism — aligning with the Kingdom’s long-term diversification strategy.
Among the high-profile signings were four strategic projects awarded Golden License status, recognising their national significance and contribution to innovation:
- Beyon and Oracle: Collaboration to launch a sovereign cloud data centre hosting Oracle clients in Bahrain
- Binaa Al Bahrain: Strategic developments shaping the future of sustainable urban living
- Arla Foods: Expansion of its Bahrain-based facility, positioning Arla as the second-largest dairy maker in the region
- Foulath: Expansion of steel operations with a solar-powered project and specialised facility upgrades
Major announcements from global players
A series of international announcements further underscored investor confidence:
- AirAsia (Capital A): Signed a Letter of Intent with Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications to explore establishing Bahrain as AirAsia’s Middle East hub, bridging ASEAN and the Gulf
- Investcorp: Reported $1.2bn in investments in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026
- SICO: Introduced new funds, including a Turkiye Fund and Gold Investment initiative
- Aluminium Bahrain (ALBA): Formed a partnership with Shandong Innovation Group and BlueFive Capital to strengthen the GCC–Asia aluminium supply chain
- Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club: Announced a three-million-square-metre masterplan to develop a world-class sports and lifestyle destination
- Arcapita: Revealed plans to invest in logistics infrastructure in the UK and US
- Beyon Solutions and IGA: Preparing to launch Bahrain’s first AI-ready Sovereign HyperCloud, powered by Oracle
- Beyon Solutions, Gulf Air Group and Oracle: Signed an MoU to fast-track cloud innovation and implement a unified ERP strategy
- Bahrain Tender Board: Confirmed the awarding of billions in government tenders during the first nine months of 2025, reinforcing public sector investment momentum
Meanwhile, National Bank of Kuwait marked the groundbreaking of its first international headquarters in Bahrain, and Bahrain Titanium commenced construction of a new titanium production facility.
Bahrain is a Gulf gateway
The forum reaffirmed a shared GCC vision to expand trade corridors, build future industries, and boost non-oil GDP contributions through innovation and advanced technology.
The consistent participation of global decision-makers and recurring investor engagement demonstrate Bahrain’s rising stature as a gateway to Gulf investment, combining business agility, strategic geography, and digital-first policy frameworks.
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