Found at: http://www.competitiveness.org/article/articleprint/207/-1/9/
As a founding member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Bahrain has been consistently ranked amongst the top most economically free countries in the world and has been rated as the freest economy in the Middle East and the Arab world.
The Economic Development Board (EDB) of Bahrain has a comprehensive cluster development plan that looks to establish and maintain itself as the 'knowledge-based services hub in the region.'
They have identified information technology and telecommunications, tourism, healthcare services, education and training services, financial services, and downstream industries as the most promising areas in which to concentrate.
With a strong financial services industry already established, Bahrain hopes to develop in these related industries and distinguish itself as the central authority for companies not only within its own country, but for international investors interested in the Middle East and already established members throughout the region.
The EDB states: ' a comprehensive regulatory environment, a large international banking community, an experienced and well-informed local and regional investor base, a highly-developed telecommunications infrastructure and an ideal test market for banking products and services all combine to make the kingdom of Bahrain a natural home for financial investors'.
Link: http://www.bahrainedb.com/whybahrain/global.stm