RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONTN/S/O/BHR
29 April 2003
(03-2277)
Council for Trade in Services
Special SessionOriginal:  English
COMMUNICATION FROM BAHRAIN
Initial Offer
The following initial offer has been received from the delegation of Bahrain on 31 March with
the request that it be circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services.
_______________TN/S/O/BHR
Page 3BAHRAIN - 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
I. HORIZONTAL COMMITMENTS
All the commitments in this schedule are subject to Amiri Decree – Law No. 28 of 1975 and subsequent amendments thereto, as wel l as any Ministerial orders or
administrative guidelines, rules, regulations and /or terms and conditions prescribed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affa irs.
ALL SECTORS
INCLUDED IN THISSCHEDULE
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
1. BUSINESS SERVICES
A. Professional Services
d) Architectural Services
(CPC 8671)
e) Engineering Services
(CPC 8672)1) Commercial Presence required
2) None3) Must register with Committee for
Organizing engineeri ng Professional
Practice (COEPP) and Ministry ofCommerce. Technical St aff to be accredited
and licensed by COEPP. Ratio of nationals
as applied by Ministry of Labour & SocialAffairs.
4) Unbound, except for intra-corporate
transfer for executives and senior managers
and specialists1) Unbound
2) None3) Pre-requisite for National Treatment:
Association or joint Venture with Bahrainiprofessional firm with not less than 25% ofsenior management to be Bahraini and not
less than 15% of technical staff to be
Bahraini.
4) Unbound, except for intra-corporate transfer
for executives and senior managers and
specialistsTN/S/O/BHR
Page 4Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
B. Computer and Related
Services
a) Consultancy Services
related to the installationof computer hardware
(CPC 841)
b) Software implementation
services (CPC 842)
c) Data processing services
(CPC 843)
d) Database services
(CPC 844)1) None
2) None3) None
4) NoneTo be reviewed
C. Research and
Development Services
b) Research and
Development Services –Social sciences andHumanities (CPC 852)1) None
2) None3) None4) None1) None
2) None3) None4) None
F. Other Business Services
a) Advertising Services
(CPC 871)1) None
2) None3) None
4) NoneTo be reviewed
c)  Management Consulting
Services (CPC 865)1). None
2) None3) None4) None1) None
2) None3) None4) NoneTN/S/O/BHR
Page 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
d) Services related to
Management Consulting(CPC 866)1) None
2) None3) None4) None1) None
2) None3) None4) None
k) Placement and supply
services of Personnel
(CPC 872)1) Unbound
2) Unbound
3) None
4) None1) Unbound
2) Unbound
3) None
4) NoneThe Labour Law
prohibits the charging of
job seekers and
employees for placementservices.
p) Photographic Services
(CPC 875)1) None
2) None
3) None
4) NoneTo be Reviewed
r) Printing, Publishing
(CPC 88442)Unbound
To be ReviewedTo be Reviewed
t) Translation and
Interpretation Services(CPC 87905)1) None
2) None3) None4) None1) None
2) None3) None4) NoneTN/S/O/BHR
Page 6Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
2. COMMUNICATION
SERVICES
B. Courier Services
General Conditions Statement:
EMS (Barid Mumtaz) service means express mail designated by the postal administrations in accordance with ar ticle 61 of the Uni versal Postal
convention (Beijing 1999),  which indicates that:
1. EMS shall be the quickest postal service by physical means. It shall consist of the collection, dispatch and delivery in a ve ry short space of time of
correspondence, documents or goods.
2. EMS shall be regulated on the basis of bilateral agreements. As pects that are not expressly governed by the later shall be su bject to the appropriate provision
of the acts of the Union.
EMS Service (Internationalonly)1) None
2) None
3) None
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section.1) None
2) None
3) None
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal 
section.TN/S/O/BHR
Page 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
C. Telecommunication
Services
General Conditions Statement:
The Kingdom commits to the Legislative Decree No. 48 of 2002 on the Telecommunications Law as sp ecific commitments applying to Basic Telecommunications
Services.  However, based on th e evolution of the competitive en vironment, Bahrain may modify some provisions in the Law withou t breaching the commitments
in this schedule.
Commitments are scheduled in accordance wi th--"Notes for Scheduling Basic Telecom Serv ices Commitments" (S/GBT/W/2/REV.1); and "Market Access
Limitations on Spectrum Availability" (S/GBT/W/3).
The following conditions apply to all of the sub-sectors committed below:
1. No person shall operate or promote a call-back service in or to the Kingdom (Modes 1, 2 & 3).
2. Must be a juristic entity in corporated in the Kingdom, or a branch of a fo reign company licensed to operate in the Kingdom i n  accordance with the
Commercial Companies Law (Mode 3).
3. Substantially all the infrastructure and personnel associated with the provisions of telecommunications service must be loca ted in the Kingdom (Mode 3).
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) alone shall have the right to waive the condition provided for in 3. above in  either of the following two
cases:
a. there exists substantial demand for a telecommu nications service that cannot be provided on an efficient basi s other than by me ans of
infrastructure and personnel located outside the Kingdom, provide d that such a service will be to the direct benefit of subscri bers and users, as
determined by the TRA on the basis of the obligations provided for in the license or otherwise (Mode 3); and
b. if licensees breach thei r obligations (Mode 3).
Notes:
I. International Facilities, Internat ional Services and National Fixed Services are Technol ogy Neutral License Classifications, an d form of Service
Provision is open to the Innovation of  Licensees.
II. Leased Line Services are included in the classifications (National and International), and may require application for a number  of license
classifications.
III. It is our understanding that MFN exception applicable to Int ernational Bilateral Correspondent Accounting Rates is still in for ce that wouldn't
need scheduling, and this issue will be resolved through the negotiations process.
IV. Scheduling of services is based on the Kingdo m's services classification (see attachment I)TN/S/O/BHR
Page 8Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
Mobile Telecommunications
Service (including MobileData and Third GenerationMobile Services and itsrelated services).1) None. International Telecomms. Services
Included from/to licensee's customersonly.
2) None
3) Initially Duopoly, th ird at discretion of
TRA after 2 years of first license award.
Mobile Virtual Network Operators
(MVNO) may be licensed after two yearsof second mobile license award at thediscretion of  the TRA.
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section.1) None
2) None
3) None
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section
National fixed services(including payphone, telexand telegraph services).1) Starting 1
st July 2004. None.
2) None
3) Until 30 June 2004, Batelco will have
exclusive right to provi de services in the
Kingdom.
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section.1) None
2) None3) None
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section.Bahrain adopts the
additional commitmentsin whole listed in theReference Paper on BasicTelecoms. (attached)
Internet Services 1) None
2) None3) The licensee may not offer a basic voice
service between the kingdom of  Bahrain
and other countries, nor may it facilitateby the use of its telecommunicationsnetwork the offer by a third party of sucha service, unless and until such time as it isgranted an international
telecommunication li cense in accordance
with the Telecommunications Law.
4) Unbound except as in the horizontal
section.1) None
2) None3) None
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section.TN/S/O/BHR
Page 9Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
Value Added Services 1) None
2) None3) None4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section.1) None
2) None3) None4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section
International Facilities 1) Starting 1st January 2004. No
International Serv ice shall commence
before 1st July 2004.
2) None3) Until 31
st December 2003, Batelco will
have exclusive right to provideInternational Facilities in the Kingdom,
and also it will have the same right on
International S ervices until 30
th June 2004.
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section.1) None
2) None
3) None
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section
International Serv ices 1) Starting 1st July 2004. None.
2) None
3) Until 30 June 2004, Batelco will have
exclusive right to provi de services in the
Kingdom.
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section.1) None
2) None
3) None
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section
Internet Exchanges 1) Must use Ba telco's Int'l facilities until 31st
December 2003.
2) None3) Initially one Exchange operated through a
consortium by the Internet Service
Providers on a non-profit basis. None after2 years.
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section.1) None
2) None
3) None
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal sectionTN/S/O/BHR
Page 10Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
VSAT 1) Starting 1st January 2004. None.
2) None3) Until 31
st December 2003, Batelco will
have exclusive right to provide VSATservices in the Kingdom.
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section.1) None
2) None3) None
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section
Public Access Mobile Radio
(PAMR)1) Starting 1st January 2004. None.
2) None3) Until 31st December 2003, Batelco will
have exclusive right to provide PAMRservices in the Kingdom.
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section.1) None
2) None3) None
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section
Paging 1)  Starting 1st January 2004. None.
2) None
3) Until 31st December 2003, Batelco will
have exclusive right to provide Paging
services in the Kingdom.
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section.1) None
2) None3) None
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal
section
D. Audiovisual Services
1) It is incumbent to adhere to the laws  of copyrights, journalism,  publications, press and th e Law of works and labour.
2) Assume management responsibility for any obscure activity and consequences of financial obligations, no selling or transfer o f the C.R. unless receiving a
written agreement from Ministry of Information.
3) Adherence to customs, traditions and morals  within a social framework which is perm itted in the kingdom of Bahrain in tacklin g certain topics which the
media institution / company in production, preparation for broadcast or distribution or exhibiting in deals.4) Ban all political parties, and military institutions to invest  in media domain in general.TN/S/O/BHR
Page 11Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
a) Motion picture and
videotape productionand distribution services(CPC 9611)
b) Motion Picture
projection service(CPC 9612)
c) Radio and Television
services (CPC 9613)
d) Radio and Television
Services (CPC 7524)
e) Sound Recording1) None
2) None3) Films which are allowed for cinemas and
DVD's only, activities include distributiononly, and no permits for private halls to
exhibit (Hometheatre).1. Company has to
adhere to open legalaccounts within Bahraininational bank wherecapital is included intheir accounts and to
obtain bank guarantee
according to the nationallaws and authorised byany national bank.
2. Ground / satellite
broadcast should be in
coordination withcertain sectors in theKingdom of Bahrain.
3. It is the
responsibility of the
institution / company toassume the broadcast ofprograms from all angleswhether financial, social,
moral and to apply laws
of intellectual propertylaws in this matter.
4. Obligation ofinstitution / company to
provide a check
account office within theKingdom of Bahrain forsupervision of annualaccounts.TN/S/O/BHR
Page 12Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
5. Responsibility of
institution / company tooblige a law firm withinthe Kingdom of Bahrainto follow-up on legal
procedures .
6. Obligation of
institution / companycoverage of all theiremployees according tothe social insurancesystem.
7. The right ofinstitution / company toown material of theirfilms, it has to bepresented to authorised
sectors in the Kingdom of
Bahrain in case of arequest, and it should bebroadcast only if there isan agreement with
officials in the institution
/ company.
8. Achievecooperation between theinstitution / company and
the Television, Broadcast
and Corporation in theKingdom of Bahrain interms of coordinationand program exchange.TN/S/O/BHR
Page 13Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
9. Obligation of
institution / company toprovide a security systemwithin  Bahrain’skingdom based on atimely period of 24 hours
per day.
10. The institution /
company has to considerall kinds of technical,ring  assistance requestedby Ministry of
information.
11. In case of a
request  presented to theinstitution / company tofilm, a certain occasion
from another company;
the other company hasthe right to  preserve theoriginal and therequested material.TN/S/O/BHR
Page 14Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
12. Ministry of
Information has the rightat any given time ifnational interest isthreatened by any givenmeans and the right to
reject permits of
institution or company ifit did not adhere to thelaws and any violation ofprevious conditions orany other reasons where
the institution / company
does not adhere with thegeneral system ofmorality and policies ofthe Kingdom and theviolation of law permits.
13. Obligation ofinstitution / company toadhere to all broadcast,satellite agreements.
14. Obligation ofinstitution / company tostick to the scheduleregistration of its ownsatellites.TN/S/O/BHR
Page 15Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
3. CONSTRUCTION &
RELATEDENGINEERINGSERVICES
A. General Construction
Work for Buildings
(CPC 512)
B. General Construction
Work for Civil
Engineering (CPC 513)
C. Installations & Assembly
Work (CPC 514, 516)1) Unbound due to lack of technical
feasibility
2) None
3) None4) Unbound1) Unbound due to lack of technical feasibility
2) None
3) Joint Venture re quired for national
treatment
4) Unbound
D. Building Completion &
Finishing Work
(CPC 517)
E. Other (CPC 511, 515,
518)Ratio of local workforce as applied by Ministry
of Labour & Social Affairs to be complied withengineers, architects, technicians must register
with Committee for Or ganizing engineering
Professional Practice (COEPP). Work permitsand any other permits required.Ratio of local workforce as applied by Ministry
of Labour & Social Affairs to be complied withengineers, architects, technicians must register
with Committee for Or ganizing engineering
Professional Practice (COEPP). Work permitsand any other permits required.
5. EDUCATION
SERVICES
D. Adult Education
Services (CPC 924)1) None
2) None3) None4) None1) None
2) None3) None4) None
6. ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES
Legislative Decree No. 21 of 1996 in respect with the environment and to all Environmental regulat ions and Ministerial orders i ssued pursuant to such Decree, the
Labour Law for the private sector (Amiri Decree – Law No. (23) of  1976. Furthermore, these commit ments are subject  to standard conditions and licensing
criteria for each category of license offered by Environmental affairs (EA) and other go vernmental authorities.TN/S/O/BHR
Page 16Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
A. Sewage Services
(CPC 9401)
1- Municipal and
IndustrialSewage
Removal,
Treatment andDisposal.1) Unbound
2) Unbound3) Unbound
4) Unbound1) Unbound
2) Unbound3) Unbound
4) Unbound
2- Maintenance. And
repairing the existingsewage systems, pollution
abatement services,
analytical and samplingcollection services.Monitoring, evaluation,and consultancy fortreatment systems.1) Unbound
2) Unbound3) None
4) None1) Unbound
2) Unbound3) None
4) Priority to national Companies
B. Refuse disposal services
(CPC 9402)
Refuse collection and
disposal services;
collection services ofgarbage, trash rubbishand waste (household,commercial andindustrial); transport
services and disposal
services; waste reductionservices.1) Unbound
2) Unbound
3) Pre-Int. experience is required.- Joint venture with local company.4) None1) Unbound
2) Unbound
3) None
4) NoneTN/S/O/BHR
Page 17Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
C. Sanitation & similar
Services (CPC 9403)
Outdoor sweeping and
watering street, paths,parking lots, etc.1) Unbound
2) Unbound3) Pre-Int. experience is required.
4) 20% Local personal1) Unbound
2) Unbound3) None
4) Priority to national Companies
D. Other Services
- Cleaning
services ofexhaust gases(CPC 9404)
- Noise
abatementservices(CPC 9405
- Nature and
landscaping
services
(CPC 9406)1) Unbound
2) Unbound3) Pre-Int. experience is required.4) 20% Local personal1) Unbound
2) Unbound3) None4) Priority to national Companies
- Other
environmental protection
services
(monitoring,controllingand damageassessment,(CPC 9409)TN/S/O/BHR
Page 18Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional 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 (includingbroking and agencyservices)1) None
2) None3) None4) Unbound1) None
2) None3) None4) Unbound
- Reinsurance and
Retrocession1) None
2) None3) None4) Unbound1) None
2) None3) None4) Unbound
All Sectors Entry is permitted only in the form of a joint
stock companyAcquisition of land or property is not allowed.TN/S/O/BHR
Page 19Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
B. Banking and Other Financial Services (excluding insurance)
The commitments on financial services are made in accordance with the GATS and the Annex on Financial Services. All the commitm ents in this Schedule are subject to
the 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 Servic es. In particular, these commitments are
subject to the Bahrain Monetary Agency Law (Amiri Decree – Law No. (23) of 1973), the Commercial Companies Law (Amiri Decree – Law No. (28) of 1975), the Labour
Law for the Private Sector (Amiri Decree – Law No. (23) of 1976) , the Bahrain 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, issued pursuant to s uch laws from time-to-time. Furthermore,
these commitments are subject to the Standard Conditions and Licencing  Criteria for each category of licence currently offered  by the BMA and to any restrictions imposed
on any such licence, including in particular and unless otherwis e permitted by the BMA, restrictions imposed on Offshore Bankin g Units (OBUs) and Investment Banks
(IBs) dealing with residents of Bahrain.
(a) Acceptance of deposits
and other repayable funds
from the public.(CPC 81115-81119 )1)  Non if done outside Bahrain.  Undertaking
this activity (including soliciting and
advertising) in/from Bahrain requires alicence from the BMA.
2) None.1) None.
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.3) For foreign branches of FCBs, unbound for
sub-branching.
3) None.
Foreign banks may be established 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 are to be
undertaken “offshore” Bahrain (i.e. with non-
residents of Bahrain).TN/S/O/BHR
Page 20Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
Foreign owned locally incorporated banks
are permitted to undertake businessoutside Bahrain (i.e. with non-residents ofBahrain) as well as in Bahrain (i.e. withresidents of Bahrain).  Banking activitiesmust be undertaken by joint stock
companies only.
No banking activities to be undertaken by a
limited liability company (W.L.L.).
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, factoringand financing of
commercial transactions.
(CPC 8113)1) As for (a) (1) above for this activity.
2) None3) 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 FinancialServices above.1) None
2) None3) 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 FinancialServices above.
(c) Financial leasing.
(CPC 8112)1) As for (a) (1) above for this activity.
2) None3) As for (a) (3) above for this activity.4) Unbound save as provided for in the
headnote for Banking and other FinancialServices above.1) None
2) None3) Unbound4) Unbound save as provided for in the
headnote for Banking and other FinancialServices above.
(d) All payment and money
transmission services,including credit, charge
and debit cards, travellers
cheques, and bankers
drafts .
(CPC 81339**)1) As for (a) (1) above for this activity.
2) None3) As for (a) (3) above for this activity.4) Unbound save as provided for in the
headnote for Banking and other FinancialServices above.1) None
2) None3) As for (a) (3) above for this activity4) Unbound save as provided for in the
headnote for Banking and other FinancialServices above.TN/S/O/BHR
Page 21Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
(e) Guarantees and
commitments.
(CPC 81199**)1) As for (a) (1) above for this activity.
2) None3) As for (a) (3) above for this activity.4) Unbound save as provided for in the
headnote for Banking and other FinancialServices above.1) None
2) None3) As for (a) (3) above for this activity.4) Unbound save as provided for in the
headnote for Banking and other FinancialServices above.
(f) Trading for own account
or for account ofcustomers, whether on anexchange, in an over-the-counter market, orotherwise the following:1) Unbound for equity and other securities
listed on the BSE. Licence required fromBMA if activity is undertaken in/fromBahrain for customers’ account.
2) Unbound for equity and other securities
listed on the BSE.
3) As for (a) (3) above for this activity. As for
(f) (3) on national treatment.
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 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.1) Unbound.
2) Unbound.
3) None (except as indicated in the market
access column below ).Commercial banks are
allowed to providebrokerage services fromtheir premises, withoutestablishing separatebrokerage companies.
Trading by the banks is
conducted through aremote tradingarrangement as a stepforward towards theimplementation of on-
line trading through
Internet.TN/S/O/BHR
Page 22Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
-m o n e y  m a r k e t
instruments (includingcheques, bills,certificates of deposit).
(CPC 81339**)
- foreign exchange.
(CPC 81333)
- derivative products
including, but not limitedto, futures and options.
(CPC 81339**)Trading on the Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE)
must be through a licenced stockbroker.However, bonds, units of Mutual Funds andWarrants can be traded through the BSE and/orthe OTC markets subject to notifying the BSEabout the transactions details.The BMA has been made
a single regulator for thebanking, insurance andcapital market sectors,pursuant to theLegislative Decree No. 21
of 2002.  The BMA
(through its LicencingDirectorate) licencesintermediaries in itscapacity as regulator ofthe capital markets.
- exchange rate and
interest rate instruments,including products suchas swaps, forward rateagreements.
(CPC 81339**)
- transferable securities.
(CPC 81321*)TN/S/O/BHR
Page 23Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
- Other negotiable
instruments and financialassets, including bullion.
(CPC 81339**)Securities stock brokers must be licenced by the
BMA for activities to be undertaken in/fromBahrain.  Stock brokerage and market makingservices must be provided by brokers and marketmakers licenced by the BMA.
Foreign brokerage companies having the
experience to enrich th e securities brokerage
profession in Bahrain and attract foreigninvestments shall be approved as licencedbrokers by the BMA.
Non-Bahrainis who are ex perienced in the field
of securities brokerage shall be employed asbrokers by Bahraini brokerage companies.
A licence is required from the BMA for Money
Brokers who must be locally incorporated. 100%
foreign ownership is permitted.
4) Unbound save as provided for in the
headnote for Banking and other FinancialServices above.4) Unbound save as provided for in the
headnote for Banking and other FinancialServices above.
(g) Participation in issues of
all kinds of securities,including underwritingand placement as agent(whether publicly orprivately) and provision
of services related to
such issues.
(CPC 8132)1) Unbound for equity and other securities
listed on the BSE. License required fromthe BMA if activity is undertaken in/fromBahrain 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 BSE1) Unbound
2) Unbound
3) None (except as indicated in market access
columns).
.
3) License required from the BMA if
activity is undertaken in/from Bahrain.Stockbrokers and Market Makers for
securities listed on the BSE shall be
licenced by the BMA.TN/S/O/BHR
Page 24Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
4) Unbound save as provided for in the
headnote for Banking and other FinancialServices above4) Unbound save as provided for in the
headnote for Banking and other FinancialServices above
(h) Money broking.
(CP 81339**)1) None.
2) None.3)         Licence required from BMA. A Money
Broker must be locally incorporated with
51% Bahraini ownership.
3) Licence required from the BMA. A
money broker must be locallyincorporated. 100% foreign ownership ispermitted.
4) Unbound save as provided for in the
headnote for Banking and other FinancialServices above.1) None.
2) None.3) None (except as indicated in market access
columns).
4) Unbound save as provided for in the
headnote for Banking and other FinancialServices above.
(i) Asset management, such
as cash or portfolio
management, all forms
of collective investmentmanagement, pensionfund management,custodial, depository and
trust services.
(CPC 8119+**-81323*)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, approvalrequired from the BSE.1) Unbound.
2) Unbound.
3) No limited liability companies (W.L.L.s) can
undertake making investments on behalf of
third persons.
Locally incorporated companies and
branches of foreign companies whoseobjects prescribe fo r the provision of
custodial services shall be licenced to
provide custodial services by the BMA .
4) Unbound save as provided for in the
headnote for Banking and other FinancialServices above.4) Unbound save as provided for in the
headnote for Banking and other FinancialServices above.TN/S/O/BHR
Page 25Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
(j) Settlement and clearing
services for financialassets, includingsecurities, derivativeproducts, and othernegotiable instruments.
(CPC 81339** or
81319**)1) Unbound for BD cheques, which must be
done through the BMA.  BSE listed equityand other securities must be done throughthe BSE.
2) Unbound for BD cheques, which must be
done through the BMA. BSE listed equity
and other securities must be done through
the 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
columns).
2) None (except as indicated in market access
columns).
3) None (except as indicated in market access
columns).
4) Unbound save as provided for in the
headnote for Banking and other Financial
Services above.
(l)  (k)Advisory intermediation ,
and other auxiliaryfinancial services on allthe activities listed insubparagraphs (a)
through (k)
  (j) above,
including creditreference and analysis,investment and portfolioresearch and advice,
advice on acquisitions
and on corporaterestructuring andstrategy.
(CPC 8131)1) As for (a) (1) above for this activity.
2) None3) Investment Advisers and Representative
Offices require a licence to undertakeactivities 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.TN/S/O/BHR
Page 26Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
(k)  (l)Provision and transfer of
financial information,and financial dataprocessing and relatedsoftware by suppliers ofother financial services.
(CPC 8131)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 forprovision and transfer of financialinformation. Confidentiality requirementsfor banks’ customers set by the Agencyapply.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 FinancialServices above.4) Unbound save as provided for in the
headnote for Banking and other FinancialServices above.
8. HEALTH RELATED
AND SOCIAL
SERVICES
E. Social Services
(CPC 933)1) None
2) None3) None
4) None1) None
2) None3) None
4) NoneTN/S/O/BHR
Page 27Mode 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 Limitat ions on  National Treatment Additional Commitments
9. TOURISM AND
TRAVEL RELATED
SERVICES
1). According to the Amiri Decree no. (15) 1986 along with the Mi nisterial resolution no.(4) 1994  Ministerial resolution no. ( 1) 1996,  Tourism Affairs is
responsible to obtain the legal taxes on Hotels, Tourist Flats which is known as Hotel Service Charges. These  charges consist of 5% of the total income of the
hotel from tourist appartments and it will be obtained every 3 months.2) It is incumbent to adhere to the laws  of copyrights, journalism,. publications, press  and th e Law of works and labour.
3) Assume management responsibility for any obscure activity and consequences of financial  obligations, no selling or transfer  of the C.R. unless receiving a
written agreement from Ministry of Information.4) Adherence to customs, traditions, and mora ls within a social framework which is perm itted in the kingdom of Bahrain in tackl ing certain topics which the
media  institution / company in production , preparation for broadcast or distribution or  exhibiting in deals.5) Ban all political parties, a nd military institutions to invest in media domain in general.
A. Hotels and Restaurants
(CPC 641-643)1) None
2) None
3) Just for hotels 4 and 5 stars. 2 hotels in a
year
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the
horizontal section1. Casinos are prohibited
completely in the
Kingdom of Bahrain
11. TRANSPORT
SERVICES
C. Air Transport Services
a) Maintenance and
repair of aircraft(excluding linemaintenance)1) None
2) None3) None4) Unbound, except as indicated in the
horizontal section1) None
2) None3) None4) Unbound, except as indicated in the
horizontal section
b) Selling and Marketing
of air transport services
c) Computer Reservation
System servicesTN/S/O/BHR
Page 28
REFERENCE PAPER FOR BASIC TELECOM
Scope:
The following are definitions and principles on the regulatory framework for the basic
telecommunications services.
Definitions:
Users: mean service consumers and service suppliers.
Essential facilities: mean facilities of a public telecommunications transport network or service
that
a) are exclusively or predominantly provi ded by a single or limited number of
suppliers; and
b) cannot feasible be economically or technically substituted in order to provide a
service.
A major suppliers: is a supplier which has the ability to materially affect the terms of
participation (having regard to price and supply) in the relevant market for basic
telecommunications services as a result of:
a) control over essential facilities; orb) use of its position in the market
1. Competitive safeguards:
1.1 Prevention of anti-competitive practices in telecommunications:
Appropriate measures shall be maintained for the purpose of preventing suppliers who,
along or together, are a major supplier from engaging in or continuing anti-competitive
practices.
1.2 Safeguards:
The anti-competitive practices referred to above shall include in particular:
a) engaging in anti-competitive cross-subsidization;
b) using information obtained from compet itors with anti-competitive results; and
c) not making available to other services suppliers on a timely basis technical
information about essential facilities and commercially relevant information
which are necessary for them to provide services.
2. Interconnection:
2.1 This section applies to linking with suppliers providing public telecommunications
transport networks or services in order to allow the users of one supplier toTN/S/O/BHR
Page 29
communicate with users of another supplier and to access services provided by another
supplier, where specific commitments are undertaken.
2.2 Interconnection to be ensured:
Interconnection with a major supplier will be ensured at any technically feasible point in
the network.  Such interconnection is provided:
a) under non-discriminatory terms, conditions (including technical standards and
specifications) and rates and of a quality  no less favourable than that provided
for its own like services or for like services of non-affiliated service suppliers orfor its subsidiaries or other affiliates;
b) in a timely fashion, on terms, conditions (including technical standards and
specifications) and cost-oriented rates that are transparent, reasonable, having
regard to economic feasibility, and sufficiently unbundled so that the supplierneed not pay for network components or facilities that it does not require for the
service to be provided; and
c) upon request, at points in addition to the network termination points offered to
the majority of users, subject to charges that reflect the cost of construction ofnecessary additional facilities.
2.3 Public availability of the procedures for interconnection negotiations:
The procedures applicable for interconnection to a major supplier will be made publicly
available.
2.4 Transparency of interconnection arrangements:
It is ensured that a major supplier will make publicly available either its interconnection
agreements or a reference interconnection offer.
2.5 Interconnection: dispute settlement:
A service supplier requesting interconnection with a major supplier will have recourse,
either:
a) at any time orb) after a reasonable period of time which has been made publicly known.
to an independent domestic body, which may be a regulatory body as referred to in
paragraph 5 below, to resolve disputes regarding appropriate terms, conditions and
rates for interconnection within a reasonable period of time, to the extent that thesehave not been established previously.
3. Universal service:
Any Member has the right to define the kind of  universal service obligation it wishes to
maintain.  Such obligations will not be regarded as anti-competitive per se , provided
they are administered in a transparent, no n-discriminatory and competitively neutral
manner and are not more burdensome that necessary for the kind of universal service
defined by the Member.TN/S/O/BHR
Page 30
4. Public availability of licensing criteria:
Where a license is required, the following will be made publicly available:
a) all the licensing criteria and the period  of time normally required to reach a
decision concerning an applicable for a license and
b) the terms and conditions of individual licenses.
The reasons for the denial of a license will be made known to the applicant upon
request.
5. Independent regulators:
The regulatory body is separate from, and not accountable to, any supplier of basic
telecommunications services.  The decisions of and the procedures used by regulators
shall be impartial with respect to all market participants.
6. Allocation and use of scarce resources
Any procedures for the allocation and use of scarce resources, including frequencies,
number and rights of way, will be carried out in an objective, timely, transparent and non-discriminatory manner.  The current state of allocated frequency bands will be made publicly
available, but detailed identification of frequenc ies allocated for specific government uses is not
required.
_______________TN/S/O/BHR
Page 31
ATTACHMENT
Kingdom of Bahrain
Classification of  Basic telecom services
"Basic data service" means a telecommunications service that consists of the conveyance of
messages, excluding:
(a)  any additional service having been provided  in respect of the conveyance of those message;
(b)  any deliberate removal or addition to  the information content of those messages.
(c ) two-way real-time speech; and(d) mobile radio communications."Basic voice service" means a telecommunications service involving the transmission of two-
way real-time speech, excluding;
(a)  any additional service having been prov ided in respect of the real-time two way speech
conversation;
(b)  any deliberate removal or addition to the information content of that real-time two-way
speech conversation; and
(c )  mobile radio communications."National fixed telecommunications network" means a public telecommunications network
which facilitates the conveyance by whatever means, including, but not limited to, fixed
wireless technology, of signals between network termination points at fixed locations withinthe licensed area but which does not compri se any telecommunications equipment designed
for use for mobile radio communications
"National fixed telecommunications service" means any basic data service or basic voice service
(including public payphone, telegraph and telex services) other than an internationaltelecommunication service or mobile radio communications.
"International telecommunications facilities " means any other telecommunications facilities
used or intended for use in connecting the Kingdom  of Bahrain to other countries for the
provision of an international telecommunications service.
"International telecommunications service" means the provision of telecommunications services
between the Kingdom of Bahrain and other countries.
"Mobile telecommunications network" means a public telecommunication network which
facilitates the conveyance by whatever means of signals between network termination points at
fixed locations within the licensed area and which significantly comprises telecommunications
equipment designed or adapted for use for mobile radio communications.
"Mobile telecommunications service" means any basic data service or basic voice service
provided by means of GSM mobile radio communications (including international
telecommunications service) and third generati on and associated services. The licensee isTN/S/O/BHR
Page 32
authorized, on a non-exclusive basis, to prov ide by means of its mobile telecommunications
network the mobile telecommunications services in the licenses area.
"Paging services" means telecommunications servic es that consist of the one-way conveyance of
a message to a subscriber by way of mobile radio communications. Nothing in the preceding
sentence shall authorize the licensee to provid e any telecommunications service that would
require a mobile telecommunications license.
"VSAT services" means telecommunications services, including international
telecommunications services, provided by mean s of a satellite telecommunications network
between fixed points that are equipped with very small aperture terminals equipment.
"Public access mobile radio services" means telecommunications services that consist of the
two-way conveyance of messages between the members of the same closed user group, by way of
mobile radio communications, provided that such conveyance may not originate from or
terminate on a public telecommunications network. Nothing in the preceding sentence shallauthorize the licensee to provide any telecommun ications service that would require a mobile
telecommunications license.
"Internet" mean an integrated computer network through which users are connected to each
other by means of the TCP/IP family of protocols;
"Internet services" means services provided to the public whose provision consists of subscriber
interaction with the Internet or  the transmission of information to or over the Internet. The
licensee may not offer a basic voice service between the kingdom of  Bahrain and other
countries, nor may it facilitate by the use of its telecommunications network the offer by a thirdparty of such a service, unless and until such time as it is granted an international
telecommunication license in accordan ce with the Telecommunications Law.
"Value added services"  means enhanced of va lue added telecommunications data and or voice
service that act on the format, content, code of protocol of information in order to provide the
user with additional or different information or  that involve subscriber interaction with stored
information, including computer and data processing services, data information and exchangeservices, credit card verification services but excluding transmission services to or over the
internet.
"Call" include communications conveying voice and data.
"Free-phone services" means an automated reversed charge mechanism whereby a caller pays
nothing while the person receiv ing such calls bears all costs.
"Licensed area" means the territory of the Kingdom of  Bahrain.
"Operator assistance service" means a telecommunications service by means of which a
member of the public may, at any time, request to be connected to another person by means of
terminal equipment which is lawfully connected to a national fixed telecommunications network
and which is capable of transmitting and receiving unrestricted two-way voice telephony
services.
"Public emergency call service" means a telecommunications service by means of which any
member of the public may, at any time without incurring any charge or use any coin or other
token, by means of any terminal equipment which is lawfully connected to a national fixed
telecommunications network and which is capable of transmitting and receiving unrestrictedTN/S/O/BHR
Page 33
two-way voice telephony services, communicate which any of emergency organizations for the
purpose of notifying such organization of an emergency.
"Public payphone" means a telephone, including telephone kiosks, that is available to the
general public for the use of telecommunications services, the means of payment for which is
coins of other means.
"Resale services" means telecommunications services purchased from the licensee by another
licensed operator and made available to any user, together with such additional services as the
licensed operator may provide.
"Telegraph service" means the transmission of telegraph signals via a national fixed
telecommunications network.
"Telex service" means a service which is provid ed for the purpose of text communication only
by directly transmitting text message between te rminal equipment connected to a national fixed
telecommunications network.
"Terminal equipment" means any appliance, ap paratus or accessory connected to the public
telecommunications network to enable recepti on and transmission of telecommunications
services.
"Mobile terminal equipment" means any appliance, apparatus or accessory connected to the
mobile telecommunications network to enable reception and transmission of
telecommunications services.
"Third Generation services" means the telecomm unications services associated from time to
time with a mobile telecommunications network complying with the 3GPP specification adopted
by the Regulator.
"Cable landing station" means the point at which any cable landed in Bahrain connects to
another public telecommunications network within the Kingdom of Bahrain, including, but not
limited to, buildings, equipment and land necessary to establish and maintain such connection.
"Message"(1) means any data, writing or visual image or combination of them, but excludes
(a) speech, music or other sounds; and
(b) Video.
"Message"(2) means that part of any transmitted signal representing information to be
conveyed from one end user to another.
"Closed user group" means a group of persons (not being the general public) whose members
subscribe for the licensed services and have a co mmon identifiable interest that is independent
of, and predates, the licensed services.
"Mobile Virtual Network Operators": Please use public domain definition.
__________