Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait B.S.C.

 Sheraton Bahrain Hotel

 John J. Nowell and Zodiac Publishing

 Arab Banking Corporation (B.S.C)

 ABC Islamic Bank (E.C.)

 First Islamic Investment Bank E.C.

 Al-Ahi Bank

 Arados Car Hiring

 The Bahrain Petroleum Company B.S.C. (Closed)

 Abdulla Ahmed Nass Group

 Gulf Petrochemical Industries Co. (B.S.C.)

 Khazana

 Bahrain Tourism Affairs

 Le Royal Meridien

Pearls

For centuries Bahrain was the world’s main marketplace for natural pearls, and up until the 1930s the pearling industry was Bahrain’s main source of income. Because the country is an archipelago, Bahrain is surrounded by oyster banks and once ran half the pearl fishing fleets in the Gulf.

In yesteryear, thousands of people lived off the pearl industry: sailors and divers, ship captains and merchants. Pearl fishermen would go out to sea four-month spell, usually from June to October, when the water was warm enough for the divers to work. The shells were opened the day after, because they were easier to open. When pearls were discovered, the men placed them between their toes until the captain collected them. These merchants were often from India, where many of Bahrain’s pearls were sold.

In 1930, the value of natural pearls crashed with the arrival of Japanese cultured pearls on the world markets. Bahrain was fortunate to discover oil at just about the same time that the pearl industry declined.

Until today, it is against the law to sell cultured pearls on Bahraini territory; the government forbids it.

Bahrain’s natural pearls are still considered the finest in the world. Experts claim that they have a special luster and an exquisite range of colors. Bahraini pearl merchants proudly display them on ruby-red cloths to highlight their beauty; and many say it is no coincidence that the Bahrain state flag is red and pearl-white.

Table of Contents

The Al Khalifa Dynasty - Ruling Bahrain Since 1783

H. H. Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister

Johnny Young, U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain

The most liberal economy in Arab world

Bahrain: The financial hub of the Middle East

About Bahrain

Arab Banking Corporation and Arab Banking Corporation Islamic Bank

A Regional Leader with an International Network

The Growing Years

ABC Islamic Bank E.C.

Islamic banks in Bahrain

First Islamic Bank expects continued growth

The Bankers’ Society of Bahrain

Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait

Al-Ahli Commercial Bank embraces the New Millennium

Bapco - Bahrain's oil industry keeping ahead of the times

Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company

ALBA - Bahrain's Aluminum Industry: Keeping Ahead of the Pack

The Abdulla Ahmed NASS Group

The Dilmun Civilization (3200 - 1600 B.C.)

Dilmun cats - a rare Bahraini breed

Pearls

The Jews of Bahrain

“Management, without creativity, is very sterile”

Le Royal Meridien Bahrain

Bab el Bahrain and the souk

Promoting the land of a thousand smiles

Dhows - Bahrain’s Heritage

Transforming Bahrain’s Sheraton Hotel