In an op-ed for The National, Sabah Al Binali outlines how Bahrain is taking key measures to capitalize on venture capital funding. He mentions the role of the unique founding, composition, and leadership of the Economic Development Board (EDB). “Doing global deals but working with investors from across the region is basically the perfect profile to continue taking the EDB from success to success”, Al Binali mentions. Essentially, Bin Ali argued that Bahrain built an ecosystem friendly to VCs. For startups, costs are reasonable and regulations are efficient. He uses the example of 500 Startups Middle East, part of the global VC firm, being based in Manama and run by a veteran of another regional Bahraini blueblood financial services firm, Sico.
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