Has Bahrain lost control of its public debt? The sharp rise in government debt can't be attributed only to the fall in oil prices, but also to several other factors, most notably the political turmoil and failure of the government's economic policies.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued 5 royal decrees appointing 9 undersecretaries and assistant undersecretaries in 5 government institutions.

The Ministry of Finance and National Economy rejected a parliamentary project to compensate citizens of low-income wages by reducing the effects of the value added tax (VAT), while the finance committee of the House of Representatives approved the proposal.

Minister of Finance and National Economy Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said that "work is underway to receive the second payment of the Gulf Support program soon".

The National Bureau for Revenue (NBR) announced that over 1,700 companies have registered for the Value Added Tax (VAT).

80 employees were appointed in the National Agency for Gulf Taxes to follow up issues related to applying the tax in various sectors, government sources said.

The Assistant Undersecretary for Development and Policy of Public Revenues at the Ministry of Finance and National Economy, Rana Ebrahim Faqihi, affirmed that over 1,000 enterprises have registered for the Value Added Tax (VAT).

Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa issued five edicts of 2018 appointing two directors at Ministry of Finance, a director at Ministry of Transportation and two others at the Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission. The Crown Prince also issued an edict transferring a director in the National Communication Centre.

The Assistant Undersecretary for Development and Revenue Policies in the Finance Ministry Rana Ibrahim Faqihi said that the Value Added Tax (VAT) will be applied starting January 2019.

Finance Minister Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa said that they will contact the public opinion to explain the mechanisms of applying the Value Added Tax (VAT) before implementing it, indicating that they will give enough time to make sure that everyone has understood the application of this tax.

Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa issued decree (No. 49/ 2018) transferring the directors and heads of financial resource departments across ministries to the Ministry of Finance, with immediate effect.

Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa issued Decree No. 47/2018 reorganizing the Ministry of Finance, with immediate effect.

Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa issued decree (No. 48/2018) appointing Mrs. Nada Ahmed Mahmoud Mustafa as Assistant Undersecretary for Joint Financial Services at the Ministry of Finance, with immediate effect.

Press information mentioned that the Finance Ministry is about to assign “PricewaterhouseCoopers” company to do main tasks related to starting establishing a project for tax system and application of VAT.

Joint statement by Ministers of Finance of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain said reviewed options for providing necessary support to enhance the stability of public finance.

The Ministers of Finance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Bahrain reviewed options to providing the necessary support to enhance the stability of public finance and further stimulate economic growth in Bahrain.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued 4 royal decrees appointing undersecretaries and directors at Ministries of Interior, Finance and Endowments.

The Ministry of Finance announced on Wednesday (January 3, 2018) its commitment to implementing the Value Added Tax (VAT) in 2018.

Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa issued Edict 40 and 41/2017 appointing two directors.

The government referred to the House of Representatives a bill to take 200 million BD from the Future Generation reserve fund.