Bahrain 2025 Breakthroughs, shake-ups and turning points

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January

Domestic workers not our servants

Jan 2

Lawmakers propose replacing the term ‘servants’ and BD500 fine for seizing their identification documents

Moment of pride

Jan 6

Bahrain’s national football team ‘heroes’ return home victorious with Gulf Cup Trophy

Jan 7

His Majesty honoured with Arab Parliament’s highest leadership award for his efforts to serve Arab interests and support joint Arab Action

Symbol of Unity

Bahrain has been ranked fourth amoung the best travel destinations in the world by TripAdvisor

Jan 12

Bahrain and Italy commit to strengthening ties

Jan 13

Bahrain announced plans to invest $30 billion in infrastructure projects, which includes 22 major developments such as five artificial islands

February

Feb 5

Heroes Among us

HM King promotes 894 BDF officers and honours 86 individuals with prestigious awards

Feb 10

No Rules, No Road

Traffic Directorate bans ‘unlicensed’ e-scooters on public roads and lanes

Feb 17

Medical Milestone

Bahrain succesfully treats sickle cell patient with Casgevy, setting a global benchmark

March

March 4

Upgrade mosque

HRH Prince Salman issues directives to continue mosque development plans to enhance infrastructure and provide the best services to worshippers.

March 5

Path to Peace

HM King Reaffirms commitment to Palestinian Statehood at Arab Summit

March 10

TAX-Free Era

HM King signs law to eliminate double taxation between Bahrain and UAE

March 16

Al-Munthir signals new era

Made-in-Bahrain satellite sends first signal after historic launch

April

April 4

Wages, jobs up

13,570 Bahranis received pay rises, 15,580 hired in 2024 through government programmes

April 14

A win for Bahrain

Piastri makes Kingdom proud as McLaren claims first-ever Bahrain Grand Prix title at ‘second home’

April 23

Vision of unity

HM King affirms Bahrain’s full commitment to closer global cooperation

April 26

Ties with Iran regain traction

Bahrain and Iran move closer to restoring ties as diplomacy gains pace

May

May 3

Global tax, local benefit

Bahrain joins over 140 countries in aligning with OECD rules, strengthening its reputation as a stable and investor friendly economy

May 15

A call for peace

HM King calls for collective action to secure Middle East safety, stability and prosperity during GCC-US Summit

May 23

HM King extends Eid support and orders Royal Humanitarian Foundation to oversee distribution

May 28

Dunes greet dragons

Bahrain has voiced strong support for the rise of a new trilateral power bloc uniting the Gulf, Southeast Asia and China around shared values of peace, mutual benefits and constructive cooperation

June

June 1

Zero Tolerance

Bahrain has taken a firmer stance against dangerous driving, with His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, instructing authorities to strengthen legal penalties for traffic violations that result in serious injury or death.

June 5

Harvest Nation

Bahrain has unveiled the Food Holding Company ‘Ghitha’ strategy along with a Food Park project, the largest of its kind in Kingdom’s food sector.

June 16

HH Shaikh Isa sworn in before HM King

In the presence of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was officially sworn in as Minister of the Prime Minister’s Court at Gudaibiya Palace yesterday.

June 28

Bahrain sets regional repatriation standard

Bahrain’s recent evacuation of its citizens from crisis-hit countries has become a regional benchmark for coordinated repatriation.

July

July 1

Crypto Clarity

Bahrain has become the first country in the Gulf to issue clear rules for a new kind of digital money known as stablecoins, a move that puts it ahead of neighbours in safely managing digital finance.

July 11

Fintech Reckoning

Bahrain is embracing innovation as the next frontier in financial services, with the government signalling a decisive move toward fintech-driven development as part of its economic diversification efforts.

July 16

Royal Gambit

A push to strengthen Bahrain’s economic ties with the United States took centre stage during an official meeting in Washington between His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer.

July 18

Strategic Ascent

Bahrain’s push to solidify its role as a Gulf strategic partner took another step forward, with His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meeting U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance at the White House.

August

August 11

IRON VOW

The USS Nimitz entered Khalifa bin Salman Port like a moving fortress, its flight deck stretching longer than three football fields and its presence dwarfing everything in sight.

August 18

Future Driven

His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Court, underscored Bahrain’s drive to balance sustainable growth with modern communications during a dual visit yesterday to the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture and the Ministry of Information.

August 20

Historic Crackdown

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has ordered sweeping new penalties and legal reforms in Bahrain, marking one of the most significant crackdowns on reckless driving.

August 24

Shared history, strong future

HM King and HM Sultan Haitham reaffirm Bahrain–Oman commitment to growing bilateral ties and friendship.

September

Sept 7

Bahrain Adopts AI Policing

Bahrain is bringing international policing into the AI era. Ahead of the International Day of Police Cooperation, Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said modern technologies and AI are now essential in combating cross-border organised crime.

Sept 10

Bahrain Stands With Qatar

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday expressed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s condemnation of the Israeli attack on the State of Qatar, considering it a violation of Qatari national sovereignty and the principles of international law.

Sept 17

Driving Future

H.H. Shaikh Isa opens Al Jasra Interchange to ease travel for 57,000 drivers daily.

Sept 20

From space to trade

Space collaboration, digital transformation, and air transport were among the key areas of focus as His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, began an official visit to Japan.

October

Oct 1

Dignity Shield

Bahrain has reaffirmed its global standing in human rights by maintaining its Tier-1 status in the U.S. Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for the eighth consecutive year, a distinction recognising the Kingdom’s comprehensive and institutional approach to combating trafficking in persons.

Oct 5

‘Tremendous day for Middle East’

HM the King witnesses the signing of the Gaza peace agreement

Oct 23

Glory Ignites!

The third Asian Youth Games began in stirring fashion t as Bahrain delivered a heartfelt opening ceremony inside Exhibition World Bahrain in Sakhir.

Oct 27

Press progress Shura Council unanimously approves new law scrapping jail terms for publishing offences.

November

Nov 1

Choose dialogue over division

Bringing Bahrain once again to the centre of global attention, the 21st edition of the IISS Manama Dialogue 2025 opens, drawing together ministers, policymakers, and strategic thinkers from around the world to tackle the Middle East’s most urgent foreign policy, defence, and security challenges.

Nov 3

Age of Intelligence

H.E. Shaikh Salman unveils Bahrain’s $17bn leap as the Gulf enters the age of intelligence.

Nov 7

Milestone link

Bahrain-Qatar passenger ferry line inaugurated, first GCC sea connection opens

Nov 26

Jewellery Arabia 2025 and Scent Arabia 2025 inaugurated

December

Dec 2 Strategic unity

Regional leaders gather in Bahrain to strengthen cooperation at 46th GCC Summit

Dec 6

Partnership vision

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, President of the current session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), chaired the second working session of the 46th GCC Summit at Al Sakhir Palace, emphasising the Kingdom’s commitment to expanding cooperation with international partners.

Dec 8

Milestone success

Norris finally becomes Formula One world champion!

Dec 30

‘Citizens first’ strategy

Government announces new measures to curb spending, raise revenues, and protect key subsidies