• Executive Summary

    • UG-A.1.1

      The Central Bank of Bahrain ('the CBB'), in its capacity as the regulatory and supervisory authority for Bahrain's financial markets, issues regulatory instruments that CBB licensees and other specified persons are legally obliged to comply with. These regulatory instruments are contained in the CBB Rulebook. Much of the Rulebook's substantive content was previously issued by the Bahrain Monetary Agency ('the BMA'), and was carried forward when the CBB replaced the BMA in September 2006.

    • UG-A.1.2

      The Rulebook is divided into 7 Volumes, covering different areas of financial services activity. These Volumes are being progressively issued. Volumes 1 and 2, covering conventional bank licensees and Islamic bank licensees respectively, were issued in July 2004 and January 2005; Volume 3, covering insurance licensees, was issued in April 2005; and Volume 4 (covering investment firm licensees), issued in April 2006. Volume 5 (covering specialised licensees) and Volume 6 (capital markets) are being issued progressively. Volume 7 on collective investment undertakings (CIUs) was issued in May 2012.

      Amended: April 2013

    • UG-A.1.3

      This User's Guide provides guidance on (i) the status and application of the Rulebook, with specific reference to Volume 6 (Capital Markets); (ii) the structure and design of the Rulebook; and (iii) its maintenance and version control.

    • UG-A.1.4

      Volume 6 (Capital Markets) covers the regulation and supervision of Bahrain's capital markets. When complete, it will include requirements dealing with (i) the offering and listing of securities; (ii) the authorisation and supervision of exchanges (notably the Bahrain Bourse); and (iii) capital market behaviour (such as insider dealing and market abuse, and the conduct of mergers and acquisitions of listed companies). Collectively, these requirements aim to ensure transparent and orderly markets, which help protect the rights of investors and shareholders, whilst enabling an attractive environment for those seeking to raise capital.

      Amended: April 2013

    • UG-A.1.5

      Capital market participants should note that the requirements contained in Volume 6 of the CBB Rulebook are additional to those contained in other Rulebook Volumes. Thus, market participants licensed as investment firms (for example) are required to comply with their license requirements contained in Volume 4, in addition to requirements contained in Volume 6 that apply to their capital markets activities.