Manama bahrain which country

Although salaries for qualified expats are high in Bahrain, your disposable income will depend on your lifestyle. So cooking and entertaining at home and shopping at the souks for cut price groceries are great ways to save money while living in Bahrain.

Therefore, driving is by far the most convenient way to get around. There are no restrictions on women driving in Bahrain, however, care should be taken when entering Saudi Arabia via the Causeway, as women are not permitted to drive there. Roads in major towns in Bahrain are generally well maintained and are four to six lanes wide at some points.

Bear in mind that tourists are not permitted across the Causeway in hired vehicles. Otherwise, you must hold a valid Bahraini driving licence in order to drive in Bahrain legally. Taxis in Bahrain are easily identified by their roof signs and orange colour and can be either hailed in the street or pre-booked in advance.

Drivers are legally required to calculate the fare by meter, however some drivers may simply come up with a price at random. Buses in Bahrain are operated by the privately owned Cars Transport Corporation, which is regulated by the government.

Travelling by bus is the second most popular mode of transport after the car and the network connects most towns, cities and residential areas. Expats may be better off either hiring a car or taking a taxi. There are several coach tour operators in Bahrain which organise air-conditioned trips to popular tourist destinations. Due to its small size and a general lack of demand, Bahrain currently has no rail network. However, plans are in place to develop a railway infrastructure which will eventually connect all the Persian Gulf countries.

Bahrain has no light rail, underground or tram network. Plans to install a km long monorail system which will connect Muharraq, Manama, Seef and Isa Town are currently under review. There are also two budget airlines, Air Arabia and Bahrain Air. Hiring a car is the most popular way of getting around in Bahrain. For those wishing to travel further afield, there are several ferry companies which operate between Bahrain and Iran, information on timetables and tickets can be found here.

Employees work between hours a week in the Kingdom of Bahrain with most offices and businesses operating from 8. This is a legal requirement and should apply to all employees. However, the reduction in hours sometimes only applies to Muslim workers so it is best to check with your employer.

Muslims take Friday as their rest day so the weekend in Bahrain is usually Friday and Saturday, with Sunday being a working day. Holiday entitlement is considered generous in Bahrain, despite changes being made to the laws in recent years. Under the Labour Law in , private sector employees who have worked for more than a year in Bahrain are entitled to 30 days paid annual leave which includes weekends.

Prior to this, workers were entitled to 21 days excluding weekends. There are up to 13 public holidays a year which are observed in Bahrain. Muslim festivals are timed depending on the cycles of the moon, so holiday dates may change each year. Most offices and government departments close during these times. Because the weekend in Bahrain is Friday to Saturday, if a public holiday falls on these days a public holiday also falls on the next weekday.

For more details, visit the Labour Market Regulatory Authority website. To qualify for a visa, applicants must state their purpose for visiting the country, their nationality and their current address.

Most visas for Bahrain must be sponsored, or obtained on your behalf by your company, hotel or travel agent. Unsponsored visas are only granted for specific reasons and to certain nationalities. Most visas must be applied for before travelling to Bahrain. The type and length of visa granted will depend on the purpose of visiting the country. For more details, visit the website.

There is no income tax in Bahrain, an obvious advantage for foreign workers. Capital gains and inherited income is also untaxed. Expats who have lived and worked in Bahrain, or any of the other GCC states, can settle permanently in the country and this is seen as the only way to qualify for a state pension.

The law on state pensions was introduced in and applies to men aged 60 or over and women aged 55 or over. The Bahrain social security system mainly exists to help its citizens and there is very little available for expat workers.

There are no social security contributions deducted from wages with employees only responsible for building up their pensions. While Bahrainis are able to apply for benefits for unemployment, housing, disability and sickness, foreigners are only eligible for free basic medical care. If it is not covered by your company, taking out private medical insurance is advisable.

The measure was considered an important step towards improving the lives and providing greater opportunities for disabled people. The Disabled Services Centre in Bahrain specialises in employing disabled workers for both the private and non-government sectors. Status, hierarchy and wealth are the cornerstones of most Bahraini businesses. Status is acquired through seniority based on a hierarchical structure which is perhaps not surprising as many businesses are run by large families.

Decisions are generally made from the top down, although employers strive to reach a consensus with managers before policies are implemented. Bahrainis are used to doing business on an international level and are therefore comfortable and welcoming to expats.

Women are significantly better placed in the Bahraini business world than in many other Arab countries and there are increasing numbers of highly educated female workers in traditionally male-dominated business environments. Managers tend to take an authoritarian role in Bahrain. Employees are not expected to question the decisions that have been reached by senior managers. Although the views of a team will be taken into account, once a decision has been made — it is generally final.

While Bahrainis are open and friendly towards outsiders, business culture is strictly formal. It is important to address counterparts using titles to show respect. If in doubt, ask your Bahraini colleagues how they wish to be addressed. Bahrainis expect expats to make the odd mistake and appreciate the gesture of those attempting to follow the formal codes.

Business dealings are based on personal and familial relationships. Outsiders will need to gain the trust of their counterparts before discussing business. A letter of introduction from a mutual acquaintance is considered a polite way to break the ice with new business contacts, particularly if they are in a senior position. The best business relationships build gradually through discreet networking. Bahrainis are open and friendly and initial meetings will be focused upon getting to know each other and establishing trust before business is discussed in any meaningful way.

Bahrainis have a non-confrontational communication style guided by social convention, so negotiations often take significantly longer than in western countries. Business attire is strictly formal. While many Bahraini businessmen wear a traditional thobe or dishadasha a flowing, ankle-length garment , ghutra head garment and agal a thick black cord worn on top of the ghutra , a smart suit, shirt and tie is equally acceptable and expected for western expats.

Foreign women should dress conservatively with shoulders, knees and elbows covered at all times in either a smart trouser suit or long skirt and blouse. Ensure that you shake with the right hand as the left hand is considered unclean.

Bahrainis are tactile and holding hands and kissing between men is common. Before greeting a woman wait for her to extend her hand and if she chooses not to, do not try to shake hands.

It is also important that you greet and shake hands with the most senior person first. Bahrainis have a relaxed attitude towards punctuality and foreigners may find themselves waiting for their business contacts to arrive at a meeting.

Lateness is not considered rude in an Arab business setting so try to be patient, even if you have turned up on time. Be prepared to be flexible as schedules can change without notice. Meetings often involve many people who are well acquainted or related, so discussions can often stray into friendly banter and chit-chat among those who know each other the most.

In general Bahrainis have an open-door policy in meetings which means frequent interruptions. Try to arrive at meetings promptly and greet everyone in the room. Meetings in Bahrain generally include coffee, or kahwa , as a ceremony symbolising friendship and participants should wait silently while everyone is served before getting down to business.

Try not to arrange meetings too far in advance or in July and August, when many businesspeople leave the country to escape the searing summer heat. Bahrain is considered liberal compared to some Arab countries but newcomers should be knowledgeable and respectful of Islamic culture and traditions.

Bahrainis are generally laid-back and welcoming but it is best to keep conversation neutral and steer clear of discussing religion or political unrest in the region. It is best to simply show a discreet lack of commitment to an issue if you wish to show refusal.

Drinking alcohol, even in a meeting in a hotel where it can be permitted, would be also be frowned upon. Arabic is the main language of business in Bahrain. However, English is widely spoken and Bahrainis are happy to conduct meetings in English if foreigners are present. Geographical variation. There are no restrictions on women driving in Bahrain, however care should be taken when entering Saudi Arabia via the Causeway, as women are not permitted to drive there.

Hi can i study or get a job in that peaceful country I wish i could one day visit this country. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Toggle navigation. Skip to primary navigation Skip to main content Skip to primary sidebar Skip to secondary sidebar Skip to footer.

Popular activities Bahrain is a small country with a wide range of things to do. Food and Drink Bahraini cuisine comprises a medley of flavours influenced by its non-national population from Iran, Lebanon, India and Saudi Arabia as well as the recent incorporation of many western cuisines. Languages Arabic is the official language of Bahrain and is spoken by around half of the population. Accents and Dialects Bahraini Arabic is the most widely spoken dialect in some parts of Manama and within the Shia community.

Safety and security Bahrain has traditionally been a very safe destination for travellers and has low rates of crime. Higher Education Bahrain has 19 public and private universities and colleges, which are mainly situated in Manama. Research Research activities in Bahrain are strictly regulated by the government, however the country has a number of leading research universities, such as the University of Bahrain, which are committed to creating world-class research facilities.

Primary and Secondary Education Basic education is free to all children in Bahrain and is compulsory from age six to Pre-school The majority of pre-school education in Bahrain is provided by private, fee-paying nurseries. Geographical variation The cost of living in Bahrain is comparable with other Gulf nations, with the exception of UAE — the most expensive of the Middle East countries.

Accommodation Non-nationals are not permitted to purchase property in Bahrain, so renting is the only option for expats. Property Tax A municipal tax or local tax baladiya which covers refuse collection and road maintenance is paid by all those in rented property.

Shopping Bahrain offers a wide choice of shopping, from large air-conditioned malls to the colourful souks market where bargain hunters can find artisan crafts and souvenirs, jewellery, clothing, spices, fruit and vegetables.

Price Guide Rent 1-bedroom apartment in city centre — Buses Buses in Bahrain are operated by the privately owned Cars Transport Corporation, which is regulated by the government. During the summer, occasional "qaws" blow across the region.

These consist of dry, sandy winds which blow across the barren southern parts of Bahrain and bring dust storms to the northern portions, including Manama. Much of Bahrain is a rocky desert environment and quite barren of life aside from various desert plants, but some portions are irrigated and thus support some animals such as lizards, gazelles and migratory birds. Precipitation from the Saudi Arabian mountains provides support for some water springs and wells which produce rich water.

Coastal salt marshes along some of the outer banks are not uncommon. The highest point of the country is an escarpment named Jabal ad Dukham, which reaches feet above sea level. This is also where most of the country's oil wells are found. Despite its relatively small land mass, Bahrain has a population of almost 1. There is a fairly large Asian population, mostly comprised of Indians.

The government consists of a constitutional hereditary monarchy, which gained independence in from the United Kingdom. More recently, democratic reforms have begun gradual introductions. Bahrain has a rich history with its Dilmun civilization and many artifacts from this are on display in the famous Bahrain National Museum in Manama.

Where is Bahrain in the World? Where is Bahrain? Geography Although it is located in the heart of oil production in the Middle East, Bahrain has a surprisingly small amount of natural petroleum and relies heavily on its neighbors for oil production.

Population Despite its relatively small land mass, Bahrain has a population of almost 1. World View: Continent View:.