ORGANIZACIÓN MUNDIAL  
DEL COMERCIO  S/DCS/W/BHR 
24 de enero de 2003 
 (03-0459) 
Comercio de Servicios Original:   inglés 
   
BAHRAIN 
 
Proyecto de Lista refundida de Compromisos Específicos
1 
 
 
 El documento adjunto contiene un proyect o de la Lista refundida de Compromisos 
Específicos de Bahrain, en formato Word.  Este documento no sustituye los compromisos 
jurídicamente vinculantes contraídos por Bahrain en su Lista de Compromisos Específicos (GATS/SC/97;  GATS/SC/97/Suppl.1).  
 El proyecto de Lista refundida fue preparado por la Secretaría, a petición de los Miembros, para 
facilitar el proceso de las negociaciones, incl uida la presentación de ofertas iniciales. 
 
_______________ 
 
 
 
  
 
                                                          
 
1 Este documento se ha preparado, en inglés solament e, bajo la responsabilidad de la Secretaría y sin 
perjuicio de las posiciones de los Miembros ni de sus derechos y obligaciones en el marco de la OMC.  S/DCS/W/BHR 
Página 2 BAHRAIN - SCHEDULE OF SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS  
Mode of Supply: (1) Cross-border supply  (2) Consumption abroad  (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons  
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
I. HORIZONTAL COMMITMENTS 
 
 ALL SECTORS  
 INCLUDED IN THIS  
 SCHEDULE    
 
 3) Entry is permitted only in the form of a Joint  
 Stock Company. 3) Acquisition of land or property is not allowed. 
  
II. SECTOR SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS 
 
7. FINANCIAL SERVICES 
    
A. All Insurance and  
 Insurance-Related services   
 (Offshore only) 
    
(a)  Life, Accident and health  
 insurance services 
(b)  Non-life insurance services 
(c) Reinsurance and 
 retrocession 
(d) Services auxiliary to   insurance (including  
 broking and agency  
 services)  1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound 
  
 
B. Reinsurance and 
 Retrocession  1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) Unbound 
 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) Unbound  
 
 All Sectors  
  Entry is permitted only in the form of a joint  
 stock company 
   Acquisition of land or property is not  allowed. 
 
  
   S/DCS/W/BHR
 Página 3Mode of Supply: (1) Cross-border supply  (2) Consumption abroad  (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons  
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
B  Banking and Other Financial Services (excluding insurance)  
  The commitments on financial services are made in accordance w ith the GATS and the Annex on Financial Services.  All the commi tments in this Schedule are subject 
 to domestic laws of Bahrain, as well as any guidelines, rules,  regulations, terms and conditions of the Bahrain Monetary Agenc y (BMA) and/or any other relevant 
 authority or body in Bahrain, which are consistent with Article VI of the GATS and paragraph 2 of the Annex on Financial Servi ces.  In particular, these commitments 
 are subject to the Bahrain Monetary Agency Law (Amiri Decree - Law No. (23) of 1973), the Commer cial Companies Law (Amiri Decr ee - Law No. (28) of 1975), the 
 Labour Law for the Private Sector (Amiri  Decree - Law No. (23) of 1976), the Bahrai n Stock Exchange Law (Amiri Decree - Law No . (4) of 1978), and the Land 
 Registration Law (Amiri Decree - Law No. (15)  of 1979) as amended from time to time, and to all regulations and directives iss ued pursuant to such laws from time to 
 time.  Furthermore, these commitments ar e subject to the Standard Conditions and Licensing Criteria for each category of licen ce currently offered by the BMA and to 
 any restrictions imposed on any such licence including, in particular and unless otherwise permitted by the BMA, restrictions imposed on Offshore Banking Units 
 (OBUs) and Investment Banks (IBs) dealing with residents of Bahrain. 
 
(a) Acceptance of deposits and  
 other repayable funds from   the public. 
 1) Undertaking this activity (including soliciting  
 and advertising) in/from Bahrain requires a   licence from the BMA. 
2) None 
3) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote   for Banking and Other Financial Services  
 above and in respect of the measures detailed  
 below.  Licence required from BMA.  1) None 
  
2) None 
3) For foreign branches of FCBs, unbound for   sub-branching. 
 
  
  
 
  Foreign banks may establish as local  
 subsidiaries or branches.  Foreign ownership   of locally incorporated  banks restricted to  
 49% if business is to be undertaken "onshore"  
 Bahrain (i.e. with residents of Bahrain).  100%  foreign ownership permitted if business is to  
 be undertaken "offshore" Bahrain (i.e. with  
 non-residents of Bahrain). 
    S/DCS/W/BHR 
Página 4 Mode of Supply: (1) Cross-border supply  (2) Consumption abroad  (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons  
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
  No banking activities to be undertaken by a  
 limited liability company (WLL).   
4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote 
 for Banking and Other Financial Services   above. 
 
   
  
4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote 
 for Banking and Other Financial Services  above.  
(b) Lending of all types,  
 including consumer credit,  
 mortgage credit, factoring  
 and financing of  
 commercial transaction.  1) As for (a) 1) above for this activity. 
2) None 
3) As for (a) 3) above for this activity. 
 
 4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services  
 above.  1) None 
 
2) None 
3) As for (a) 3) above for this activity.  Unbound  
 for ownership of property in Bahrain. 4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services  
 above.   
 
(c) Financial leasing. 
 1) As for a) 1) above for this activity. 
2) None 3) As for (a) 3) above for this activity. 
4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services   above. 
 1) None 
2) None 3) Unbound 
4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services   above. 
  
 
(d) All payment and money   transmission services,  
 including credit, charge and  
 debit cards, travellers   cheques and bankers drafts. 
 1) As for a) 1) above for this activity. 
2) None 
3) As for (a) 3) above for this activity. 
4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote   for Banking and Other Financial Services  
 above. 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) As for (a) 3) above for this activity. 
4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote   for Banking and Other Financial Services 
 above. 
  
 
(e) Guarantees and  commitments  1) As for a) 1) above for this activity. 
2) None 3) As for a) 3) above for this activity. 
4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services   above. 
 1) None 
2) None 3) As for a) 3) above for this activity. 
4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services   above. 
  
   S/DCS/W/BHR
 Página 5Mode of Supply: (1) Cross-border supply  (2) Consumption abroad  (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons  
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
(f) Trading for own account or  
 for account of customers     
- money market instruments  
 (including cheques, bills,  
 certificates of deposits)  
- foreign exchange 
 1) Unbound for equity and other securities listed  
 on the BSE.  Licence required from BMA if  
 activity is undertaken in/from Bahrain for   customers' account. 1) Unbound 
 
  
- derivative products  
 including, but not limited  
 to, futures and options 
 
- exchange rate and interest   rate instruments, including  
 products such as swaps,  
 forward rate agreements - transferable securities 
 2) Unbound for equity and other securities listed  
 on the BSE. 
3) As for a) 3) above for this activity.   
 Transactions on the Bahrain Stock Exchange  
 (BSE) must be through a licensed Stock   Broker.  Transactions for listed Bonds and  
 Warrants can be done OTC.  Stock Brokers  
 and Market Makers for securities on the 2) Unbound 
 
3) None (except as indicated in the Market Access  
 Column). 
   
- other negotiable  
 instruments and financial  
 assets, including bullion.  Bahrain Stock Exchange must be either  
 Bahraini nationals (individuals or locally  
 incorporated companies with a minimum of  
 51% Bahraini ownership) and be resident in   Bahrain, or be branches of foreign companies  
 undertaking such business in international  
 securities..    
  A Money Broker must be locally incorporated  
 with 51% Bahraini ownership and requires a   licence from the BMA.   
  
4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services  
 above.   
4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services  
 above.   
  S/DCS/W/BHR 
Página 6 Mode of Supply: (1) Cross-border supply  (2) Consumption abroad  (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons  
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
(g) Participation in issues of all  
 kinds of securities,   including underwriting and  
 placement as agent  
 (whether publicly or   privately) and provision of  
 services related to such  
 issues.  1) Unbound for equity and other securities listed  
 on the BSE.  Licence required from BMA if   activity is undertaken in/from Bahrain for  
 customers' account. 
2) Unbound for equity and other securities listed   on the BSE. 
3) Licence required from BMA if activity is  
 undertaken in/from Bahrain.  Unbound for   equity and other securities listed on the BSE. 
4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services  
 above. 
 1) Unbound 
  
 
2) Unbound  
3) None (except as indicated in Market Access  
 column).  
4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services  
 above. 
  
(h) Money broking. 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) Licence required from BMA.  A Money  
 Broker must be locally incorporated with 51%  
 Bahraini ownership. 
4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services   above. 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None (except as indicated in Market Access  
 column).  
4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services   above. 
  
 
(i) Asset management, such as   cash or portfolio  
 management, all forms of  
 collective investment   management, pension fund  
 management, custodial,  
 depository and trust   services. 
 1) As for a) 1) above for this activity.  Unbound  
 for BSE listed equity and other securities. 
2) Unbound for BSE listed equity and other  
 securities. 3) Licence required from the BMA. 
 For depository services in respect of BSE  
 listed equity and other securities, approval   required from the BSE. 
 1) Unbound 
 
2) Unbound 
 3) No limited liability companies (WLLs) can  
 undertake making investments on behalf of  
 third persons.  
  
 
 4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services  
 above.  4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services  
 above.     S/DCS/W/BHR
 Página 7Mode of Supply: (1) Cross-border supply  (2) Consumption abroad  (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons  
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
(j) Settlement and clearing  
 services for financial assets,   including securities,  
 derivative products, and  
 other negotiable   instruments. 
 1) Unbound for BD cheques, must be through  
 BMA.  For BSE listed equity and other   securities, must be through BSE. 
2) Unbound for BD cheques, must be through  
 BMA.  For BSE listed equity and other   securities, must be through BSE. 
3) Unbound for BD clearing. 
 4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services  
 above. 
 1) None (except as indicated in Market Access  
 column).  
2) None (except as indicated in Market Access  
 column).  
3) None (except as indicated in Market Access  
 column). 4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services  
 above. 
 
  
(k) Provision and transfer of  
 financial information, and  
 financial data processing  
 and related software by   suppliers of other financial  
 services. 
  1) Unbound for BSE listed equity and other  
 securities. 
2) Unbound for BSE listed equity and other  
 securities. 3) Unbound for BSE listed equity and other  
 securities.  Licence from the Ministry of  
 Cabinet Affairs and Information and the   Ministry of Transportation required for  
 provision and transfer of financial  
 information.  Confidentiality requirements for   banks' customers set by the Agency apply. 
4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services   above. 
 1) Unbound for BSE listed equity and other  
 securities. 
2) Unbound for BSE listed equity and other  
 securities. 3) None (except as indicated in the market access  
 columns). 
  
 
  
4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote 
 for Banking and Other Financial Services  above. 
  
  S/DCS/W/BHR 
Página 8 Mode of Supply: (1) Cross-border supply  (2) Consumption abroad  (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons  
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Limi tations on  National Treatm ent Additional Commitments 
(l) Advisory, intermediation  
 and other auxiliary   financial services on all the  
 activities listed in  
 subparagraphs a) through k)   above, including credit  
 reference and analysis,  
 investment and portfolio   research and advice, advice  
 on acquisitions and on  
 corporate restructuring and  
 strategy. 
 1) As for a) 1) above for this activity. 
2) None 3) Investment Advisers and Representative  
 Offices require licence to undertake activities  
 in/from Bahrain.  Credit referencing agencies   should adhere to requirements for  
 confidentiality set by the BMA for banks'  
 customers. 4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services  
 above. 
 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
 
  
 
 4) Unbound save as provided for in the headnote  
 for Banking and Other Financial Services  
 above. 
  
 
 
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