KINGDOM AMONG TOP 5 PLACES WORLDWIDE FOR QUALITY OF LIFE
Bahrain has been voted one of the best locations in the world to live and the top choice in the Middle East and Africa in the world's largest global survey of expats. The 2009 results of the independent Expat Experience poll, commissioned by HSBC Bank International, reveal the Kingdom is one of the friendliest expat locations with the fifth best quality of life worldwide and the very best social life.
In the overall rankings, Bahrain (5) is placed ahead of the likes of the United Sates (8), Hong Kong (10), Malaysia (11), Japan (16), China (22), the United Kingdom (23) and India (25). The United Arab Emirates (UAE) came 18th and Qatar 26th. And while the report revealed the general downside of expat life to be the social scene, Bahrain topped the global league table for "social life". The Kingdom also leads the world in offering improved working hours; ease of organising healthcare; and the number of expats who have joined local community groups.
Andrew Trevis, plant director of Kraft Foods Bahrain, added: "The lifestyle in Bahrain is very good. This is a free country that is not at all restrictive. The fact that you can enjoy a high quality of family life is a strong selling point."
Bahrain was also ranked in the top five countries worldwide for:
"Finding somewhere to live" (2)
"Organising my finance" (3)
"Education / childcare" (4)
"Setting up utilities" (4)
[Quality of] "Household goods" (4)
"Making friends" (5)
"Organising school for my children" (5)
Kamal Ahmed, Chief Operating Officer of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), which has the overall responsibility for creating the right climate to attract foreign investment, said: "In Bahrain we have made a commitment to creating an attractive business environment for international companies looking to access the trillion dollar market of the Gulf. This continues to create exciting opportunities for both expats and Bahrainis alike. For those moving to our country, we know the factors they face when organising a new life. And this report shows that Bahrain is not just the ideal location to do business in and from, but a great place to live as well."
Bahrain has adopted a long term strategy of economic diversification which - together with the enviable economic growth rates still enjoyed by the Gulf and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region - holds significant opportunities for international business. The approach is enshrined in Bahrain's Vision 2030 and National Economic Strategy, both committed to maintaining the optimum business environment that will attract foreign investment and ultimately elevate national living standards by creating greater opportunities for Bahrainis.
The Expat Experience poll surveyed 3,146 people working in 30 different industries and 50 countries. Now in its second year, the report examines expats' experiences integrating into local communities, their quality of life and the opportunities and challenges faced living away from home, providing a unique insight into how expat life differs across the globe. It is the second of three reports to be produced from HSBC's "Expat Explorer" research. Results from the first part of the survey released earlier this year found Bahrain eighth worldwide for expats' "economic" quality of life.
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About The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB)
The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) is a dynamic public agency with an overall responsibility for formulating and overseeing the economic development strategy of Bahrain, and for creating the right climate to attract direct investment into the Kingdom.
The role of the Bahrain EDB is to provide leadership by uniting all of the Kingdom's shareholders through a unified vision, and to develop key strategies for growth. The Bahrain EDB also acts as a facilitator, helping all of Bahrain's stakeholders to understand and adopt the changes necessary for progress. In addition, the Bahrain EDB provides sound project management to ensure that all agreed reform initiatives are implemented in an effective and timely manner.
The Bahrain EDB is also responsible for attracting inward investment into Bahrain, and is focusing on six target economic sectors in which the Kingdom offers significant strengths. These are financial services, downstream industries, tourism, business services, logistics, and education and training.
More information on the Bahrain EDB is available at: www.bahrainedb.com
Further information please contact:
Samia Yakub
Bahrain Economic Development Board
Tel: +973 17 589 891
Email: internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com
Nicholas Goodwin
Weber Shandwick
Tel: +1 212 445 8296
Email: ngoodwin@webershandwick.com
Jenan Al-Mussawi
Media Relations Executive
PR Newswire Europe
Phone +44 20 7454 5295
Fax +44 20 7454 1255
Email: Jenan.Al-Mussawi@prnewswire.co.uk
Website: www.prnewswire.co.uk
© Press Release 2009
