Bahrain
Population: 698,585
Area: 665 km²
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Established: 15th August, 1971 (independence from UK)
Capital: Manam
Why move to the Bahrain?
Bahrain has many advantages for modern businesses, with its location at the heart of the Arabian Gulf. Also promoting a highly favourable tax environment, with no corporate, personal or VAT, a modern high standard of living. Bahrain has long been an attractive location in the Middle East.
Bahrain’s wealth has more based more on the financial industry rather than oil like its neighbours. Bahrain’s construction and development projects makes it the fatest and freest economies in the Middle East. Many leading international companies and financial institutions have established a base here.
There is a buoyant economic growth with positive political developments in Bahrain which offer high international standards, pro-business culture and world-class infrastructure. Not to mention a friendly cosmopolitan lifestyle.
Climate
Bahrain has an arid desert climate characterized by very hot summers with high humidity, while winters are relatively cooler.
The average winter temperature is 14° to 20°C in January.
The average summer temperature is 29° to 38°C in August.
Money
The currency in Bahrain is the Bahraini Dinar (BD), which is divided into 1000 Fils.
Passports and visas
Your visa will be organised by your employer once you have secured a job offer from them. For the duration of your stay in the Middle East they act as your sponsor, and all documents such as driving licence, bank account, health cards, etc are reliant on you being in possession of a Residence Visa, which will be organised by your employer
In the workplace
Conservative clothing is expected within the workplace. When greeting Arab women do not offer to shake their hand unless the woman extends hers first. Try to never to sit with your feet pointing directly at someone else, as this causes offence.
Friday is the main day of prayer, so meetings should not be scheduled for this day. Depending on the company you work for, the other day making up the weekend will either be Thursday or Saturday.
Office hours are usually from 8.30 or 9.00 am to 5.30 or 6.00 pm. In the month of Ramadan, the working day is reduced to six hours for Muslims, who fast during daylight hours.