Discusses the distribution network within the country from how products enter to final destination, including reliability and condition of distribution mechanisms, major distribution centers, ports, etc.
Last Published: 2/12/2019

Most goods enter Bahrain through Khalifa bin Salman Port (Mina Khalifa) in the Hidd Industrial Area, Bahrain’s main import/export hub.  The port is located in northeast Bahrain, approximately 13 km from Bahrain International Airport and 55 km from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.  Since beginning operations in 2009, the Khalifa Bin Salman Port has established itself as a leading transshipment hub in the region.

The adjacent Bahrain Logistics Zone has the potential to make the Kingdom a major air-sea cargo hub and a center for industrial development.  The Government offers a number of incentives to attract foreign direct investment to this customs-free zone.

Bahrain benefits from good road infrastructure, providing the ability to transport throughout the region with easy access to other Gulf markets.  The much larger economy of Saudi Arabia is located just a 25 km drive away across the King Fahd Causeway. 

Port: Khalifa bin Salman Port
Airport: Bahrain International Airport
Sea Transportation: Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, Ports and Maritime Authority
Air Transportation: Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, Civil Aviation Affairs
Road and Rail Transportation: Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, Land Transport Affairs

In recent years, companies sometimes have experienced delays in transporting their products across the Causeway into Saudi Arabia.  We encourage American companies to notify the U.S. Embassy’s Commercial Section when there are significant delays on the Causeway. 

The Bahrain retail sector has been experiencing strong growth in the last decade but remains modest compared to those in neighboring Gulf countries.  The sector is still dominated by traditional markets (souks) and corner shops, many of which sell traditional goods and services such as gold, textiles and sweets.  Modern distribution channels are nevertheless becoming more prominent, with the appearance of large malls, supermarkets, and hypermarkets.  The Kingdom's retail sector is dynamic thanks in part to a growing tourism sector – tourists from Saudi Arabia flock to Bahrain on the weekends to dine in local restaurants and shop in local malls.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.


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Bahrain Marketing