Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 is a long-term economic development plan promulgated in 2008 by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to guide development Bahrain’s economy and society for the next twenty-one years. .

Surprising to many, however, has been the strength of the overall the economy. Other sectors of the economy, notably the petrochemical, manufacturing, and financial sectors have performed strikingly well.

Businesspersons, investors, and knowledgeable observers want to know: How is Bahrain’s economy faring through all this turmoil? The answer: Surprisingly well.

The big story out of Bahrain for the past forty years has been diversification of its GDP – the diversification from the oil. Since its independence, Bahrain has followed three policies to achieve diversification that have positioned it as the fastest growing economy in the Middle East.

The constitution was promulgated in December 1973, concurrent with the election of the members of the National Assembly, thereby transforming the country into a constitutional monarchy.

In 1970, Bahrainis voted overwhelmingly to become an independent state. In May The United Nations Security Council endorsed independence, which both Britain and Iran accepted. Bahrain became an independent state on August 5, 1971.

Since independence, the government of Bahrain has used its revenues to diversify the economic base of the country, primarily in the fields of banking and finance.

There are at least five fundamental divides in Bahraini politics.

If a Shi’ite-majority-government in Bahrain were to lean toward Iranian goals, such as, for example, asking the U.S. Fifth Fleet base to leave, it would upset the entire balance of power in the Middle East. 

On May 31st King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa called for a National Council of Reconciliation to bring together all parties to resolve the situation.