His Excellency Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, affirmed the Ministry’s commitment, in coordination with relevant authorities, to strengthening legislative and regulatory measures that support Bahrain’s industrial and commercial sectors while balancing economic development with environmental protection, in line with the Kingdom’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

Decision No. (7) of 2026 prohibits the manufacture, import, or use of single-use plastic bags less than 57 microns thick. The measure falls under the National Waste Management Strategy and aligns with international environmental best practices to promote sustainable practices and reduce plastic waste.

The minister clarified that the ban covers all single-use plastic bags below 57 microns, including bags containing plastic components, and applies to all carrying and hand-transport bags for goods and equipment, whether with or without handles, provided at points of sale or sold individually or in bundles.
Exemptions include household waste bags, hazardous healthcare waste bags, packaging for medicines and food, and bags designated for export purposes.

The Minister stated that enforcement will be comprehensive. Products will be inspected prior to entry through ports by the Ministry’s Inspection and Standards Directorate to ensure compliance, with continued market monitoring through inspection campaigns and field surveys in coordination with the Inspection Directorate.

To ensure clarity, a comprehensive guidance manual in Arabic and English will accompany the decision to raise awareness among economic stakeholders and support full compliance.
The decision was issued following joint efforts between the Ministry and the Supreme Council for Environment, including a review of regional regulations, alignment with global best practices, and an analytical study assessing environmental benefits such as reducing carbon emissions and waste. A six-month transitional period has been granted to allow depletion of existing stock and enable manufacturers to comply with the new standards.
This decision builds on previous measures since 2019, which include Decision No. (11) of 2019 on technical regulations for plastic products, Decision No. (77) of 2021 banning plastic water bottles under 200ml, and Decision No. (14) of 2022 banning single-use plastic bags under 35 microns.
 

In an effort to further enhance the business environment and support (SMEs) in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced the launch of the “Commercial Establishments Credit Rating Platform” in partnership with BENEFIT. The initiative aims to enhance transparency in the credit market and support the sustainable growth of businesses.

The platform is designed to provide more accurate and transparent credit assessments that reflect the financial and operational position of enterprises in Bahrain. It is expected to offer SMEs an additional financing option to expand their businesses, while enabling lenders to allocate funding more efficiently based on reliable data and unified standards.

Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce and Chairman of the SME Development Board, highlighted the strong support given to the SME sector by the government.
He stated that the launch of the credit rating platform marks a qualitative leap in developing Bahrain’s financial infrastructure, particularly for SMEs. The platform provides an additional pathway to financing and enhances the quality of credit decisions through objective indicators that strengthen transparency and trust in the market, thereby supporting business competitiveness and sustainable growth.

For his part, BENEFIT CEO Abdulwahid Al Janahi, affirmed that the partnership reflects national efforts to support commercial establishments and advance digital transformation in the financial sector. He explained that the platform will enable lenders to assess credit risks more accurately and direct funding more efficiently toward creditworthy businesses, positively impacting SMEs’ access to finance and accelerating their growth.

The commercial credit rating system serves as a practical tool that allows businesses to professionally present their financial and operational records to lenders, improving financing terms, increasing approval rates, and speeding up credit application processes.

The collaboration between the Ministry and BENEFIT focuses on developing and implementing an innovative credit assessment model that provides lenders with more precise insights into businesses’ financial behavior, reduces financing operational costs, and enhances transparency and stability in the credit market.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce encourages commercial establishments, particularly SMEs, to benefit from the new platform as an additional financing channel and to engage with lenders to explore credit rating-based financing products, further strengthening expansion opportunities and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a supportive and attractive business environment for entrepreneurship.

As part of national efforts to promote sustainability and enhance industrial efficiency, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has awarded the “Green Factory Seal” to more than 40 factories. The initiative encourages sustainable industrial practices, strengthens environmental compliance, and boosts the competitiveness of Bahrain’s industrial sector.

The initiative aligns with the Industry Sector Strategy (2022–2026) and supports the Kingdom of Bahrain’s goals in circular carbon economy, environmental and social governance (ESG), and low-emission solutions. It offers benefits and incentives to factories in cooperation with private sector partners.

H.E. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, stated that the initiative reflects effective public-private partnership and highlights the advanced environmental awareness of participating factories. He affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to expanding the program to enhance the sector’s readiness for environmental and economic changes and global supply chain shifts.

The Green Factory Mark serves as a key incentive tool supporting Bahrain’s carbon neutrality goals. It encourages improved operational efficiency, responsible resource use, and adoption of environmentally friendly technologies in line with global best practices.

The Ministry updated the mark’s criteria to reflect recent sustainability developments, adding a tree-planting standard during Bahrain’s Tree Week, alongside requirements such as industrial waste reuse, renewable energy adoption, ESG policies, emissions monitoring and greenhouse gas accounting, and carbon capture technologies.

New strategic partners have joined the initiative: BBK will provide concessional financing solutions, while Copa Company will offer solar energy installations and other sustainable solutions at competitive prices. These partnerships aim to support factories in moving from commitment to practical implementation, strengthening the initiative’s environmental and economic impact.

The Green Factory Seal supports Bahrain’s broader sustainability agenda and aligns with the national plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and enhance the Kingdom’s role in global climate action.
 

As part of ongoing government efforts to improve and digitize public services, The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has enhanced services for extending construction and operation deadlines for industrial plots
The upgraded service allows industrial plot lessees to request extensions for contractual deadlines, including obtaining building permits, starting construction, and commencing factory operations.
Processing time has been reduced from 18 to 13 working days by streamlining internal review procedures, automating processes, and reducing required approvals. The Ministry also simplified the application process to four steps, reduced required documents, and improved the user interface to enhance investors’ experience.
The Ministry confirmed that the development reflects its commitment to digital transformation, efficiency, transparency, and reducing time and effort for beneficiaries. Applications can be submitted through the Industrial Areas Services System online.
Eman Ahmed Al Doseri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, affirmed that the development of the service reflects the Ministry’s adoption of innovative digital solutions aimed at increasing efficiency, optimizing resource utilization, and enhancing transparency.
Al Doseri added that the launch of the upgraded service underscores the Ministry’s commitment to improving its services in ways that reduce time and effort for beneficiaries and strengthen the overall effectiveness of its operational system.
The Ministry clarified that applications for the service can be submitted through the Industrial Areas Services System via the following link:
https://service.moic.gov.bh/iad
Additionally, more than 1,300 government services have been documented and published, with 800 services reengineered across various sectors to improve efficiency and service quality in support of the government’s digital transformation efforts.

H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro Minister of Industry and Commerce received H.E. Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Kingdom of Bahrain Mr. Saqib Rauf.

The Minister praised positive relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of Pakistan, and for his part, the Ambassador affirmed his country's commitment to continue strengthening bilateral cooperation to achieve common goals.

The meeting discussed a number of topics of common interest and shared aspirations and paths of cooperation.

 

His Excellency Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, conducted a field visit to several markets, retail outlets, and hypermarkets to monitor the availability of consumer goods and price stability during the holy month of Ramadan.
The visit covered a number of commercial centers, including Sultan Mall, Al-Helli Markets, Danube, Lulu Hypermarket, HyperMax, Al-Osra Markets, and Al-Sater Markets. He reviewed the availability of essential goods and listened to feedback from market officials regarding supply flows and expected demand.
His Excellency emphasized that the Ministry is committed to ensuring market stability and readiness during periods of high demand. These visits aim to confirm the availability of essential food items and Ramadan products in sufficient quantities and at stable prices, protecting consumers and maintaining market balance.
He also noted that ongoing coordination between the Ministry and the private sector reflects a strong national partnership that supports market stability and strengthens food security in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Ministry will continue inspection visits throughout Ramadan to ensure smooth supply and stable prices.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced intensified inspection and monitoring efforts to ensure the availability of consumer goods and maintain price stability in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan.
The Ministry is implementing awareness campaigns for both merchants and consumers alongside expanded field inspections covering markets and shops. These inspections verify licensed activities, the validity of promotions and discounts, price accuracy before and after offers, and consistency between shelf prices and point-of-sale systems. Authorities will also monitor for fraud or manipulation and address any unjustified price increases to protect market stability and consumers.
Inspection visits will increase mid-Ramadan, focusing on high-demand businesses such as food stores, fruit and vegetable shops, meat and fish outlets, tailoring shops, gold stores, and sweet shops to ensure compliance with regulations.
The Ministry emphasized that serious violations may result in fines, administrative closure or deregistration, and referral to the Public Prosecution. Consumers are encouraged to report violations through the National Suggestions and Complaints System (Tawasul), via WhatsApp (17111225), or by email at inspection@moic.gov.bh.
 

As part of ongoing government efforts to improve service quality and reengineer procedures, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has developed the Industrial Plot Survey service, enabling survey procedures to be completed fully online through automation and fewer required approvals. This initiative simplifies processes and enhances the investor experience.
The enhanced service is now provided entirely through electronic channels, allowing engineering offices to receive industrial plot coordinates directly through the system without the need for in-person visits, reducing time and effort for investors. The number of procedural steps has been reduced, service requirements lowered by 25%, and application status tracking made available electronically, enhancing transparency.
Ms. Eman Ahmed Al Doseri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, stated that the service reflects the Ministry’s adoption of innovative digital solutions to improve efficiency, optimize resources, and enhance transparency. She added that the launch underscores the Ministry’s commitment to improving services and user experience in line with the government’s digital transformation efforts.