In recent years, Bahrain has rapidly become the global leader in Islamic finance, playing host to the largest concentration of Islamic financial institutions in the Middle East. Presently, there are 24 Islamic banks and 11 Islamic insurance companies (takaful) operating in the Kingdom. In addition, Bahrain is at the forefront in the market for Islamic securities (sukuk), including short-term government sukuk as well as leasing securities.
The growth of Islamic banking in particular has been remarkable, with total assets in this segment jumping from US$1.9 billion in 2000 to US$ 10.3 billion by July 2006, an increase of over 400%. The market share of Islamic banks correspondingly increased from 1.8% of total banking assets in 2000 to 6.2% in 2006. Islamic banks provide a variety of products, including murabaha, ijara, mudaraba, musharaka, al salam and istitsna'a, restricted and unrestricted investment accounts, syndications and other structures used in conventional finance, which have been appropriately modified to comply with Sharia principles.
The Central Bank of Bahrain has installed a comprehensive prudential and reporting framework, tailor-made for the specific concepts and needs of Islamic banking and insurance. The rulebook for Islamic banks covers areas such as licensing requirements, capital adequacy, risk management, business conduct, financial crime and disclosure/reporting requirements. Similarly, the insurance rulebook addresses the specific features of takaful and re-takaful firms. Both rulebooks were the first comprehensive regulatory frameworks that dealt with the Islamic finance industry. Developing the industry further, the CBB established a special fund to finance research, education and training in Islamic finance (the Waqf Fund); and is active in working with the industry and stakeholders in developing industry standards and the standardization of market practices.
In addition to the numerous Islamic financial institutions active in its financial sector, Bahrain also plays host to a number of organizations central to the development of Islamic finance, including:
The Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) view website >
Liquidity Management Centre (LMC) view website >
The International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM) view website >