- Home >
- Public Procurement
Public Procurement in Bahrain
Public procurement in the Kingdom of Bahrain represents a central pillar of public financial management and government service delivery. Through structured government purchasing, Bahrain supports national development priorities across infrastructure, healthcare, public works, utilities, digital services, and administrative operations.
Bahrain operates a centralized procurement system anchored by a dedicated tender authority and governed by a comprehensive legislative framework. Procurement activities emphasize transparency, competition, procedural fairness, and value for money, supported by an established electronic tendering platform.
For domestic suppliers and international businesses, government tenders in Bahrain provide regulated and transparent access to public sector contracts. A clear understanding of the legal framework, institutional roles, and electronic procurement processes is essential for effective participation in Bahraini public procurement.
Country & Economic Overview
| Indicator | Official Information |
| Country | Bahrain |
| Region | Middle East and North Africa |
| Population | 1.59 million (2024) |
| Income Level | High-income economy |
| Currency | Bahraini Dinar (BHD) |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | USD 47.74 billion (2024) |
| Gross National Income (GNI) | USD 45.18 billion (2024) |
| GNI per Capita | USD 30,000 (2024) |
Public Procurement Governance Framework
Public procurement governance in Bahrain is centralized under a single national authority that oversees procurement regulation, tender approval, and compliance across government entities.
| Element | Details |
| Public Procurement Agency | Kingdom of Bahrain - Tender Board |
| Role of PPA | Regulatory oversight, tender approval, and procurement supervision |
| Central Purchasing Role | Yes |
| Geographic Coverage | National |
Government ministries, authorities, and public entities act as contracting authorities and conduct procurement activities under the supervision and approval mechanisms of the Tender Board.
Legal & Regulatory Framework
Public procurement in Bahrain is governed by Legislative Decree No. 36 of 2002 with respect to Regulating Government Tenders and Purchases, supported by implementing regulations, ministerial decisions, and circulars issued by the Tender Board.
Core Legal Principles
- Transparency and equal treatment of bidders
- Competition and procedural fairness
- Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT)
- Value for money in public spending
Key Legal Provisions
- MEAT evaluation criteria (Article 35)
- Bid securities and performance bonds (Article 28)
- Public bid opening procedures (Article 29)
- Domestic preference rules (Circular No. 1 of 2023)
- SME participation support (Circular No. 2 of 2019)
- Complaint resolution procedures (Article 56)
Procurement Procedures & Thresholds
Procurement procedures in Bahrain are determined by contract value and procurement type, with clearly defined thresholds and safeguards.
| Procedure Element | Legal Reference |
| Bid Validity Period (Goods, Works, Services) | Article 27 |
| Standstill Period (Goods, Works, Services) | Article 54 and Circular No. 1 of 2020 (Article 5) |
| Contract Award Disclosure | Article 37 |
| Direct Award Thresholds | Decision No. 1 of 2015 |
E-Procurement System Overview
Bahrain operates a national electronic tendering platform managed by the Tender Board to support online tender submission and procurement transparency.
| Feature | Description |
| System Name | BTB eTendering System |
| Launch Year | 2013 |
| Ownership Model | Government-owned and operated |
| Core Functionalities | eTendering and eQuotation |
| Languages Supported | English, Arabic |
| Currencies Supported | Multi-currency support including Bahraini Dinar |
| Tender Documents | Downloadable |
Procurement Market Characteristics
Bahrain’s public procurement market includes goods, works, and services across central government institutions, utilities, and public authorities.
- Number of annual tenders: 1,007
- Number of annual contracts: 1,618
- Total annual contract value: USD 3,595,482,705
- Number of awards to SMEs: 164
- Value of awards to SMEs: USD 152,212,412
Evaluation methods emphasize the MEAT principle rather than lowest price alone, reflecting Bahrain’s focus on quality and overall value.
Transparency, Complaints & Oversight
Bahrain’s procurement framework incorporates structured transparency and oversight mechanisms managed by the Tender Board.
- Formal complaint resolution procedures under procurement law
- Publication of awarded tenders and annual procurement reports
- Centralized disclosure of procurement information
Sustainability & Green Public Procurement
Green public procurement is not mandatory in Bahrain. Environmental considerations may be applied on a discretionary basis by procuring entities.
- No mandatory green procurement requirements
- No statutory green certification obligations for suppliers
- No national green procurement roadmap in force
Social & Ethical Procurement Considerations
Social and ethical procurement requirements in Bahrain are limited and not subject to mandatory award quotas.
- No mandatory awards for women-owned businesses
- No statutory provisions for disadvantaged groups
- No mandatory international labor standards clauses
Key Challenges & Practical Insights for Bidders
Key Challenges
- Centralized approval requirements through the Tender Board
- Strict compliance with bid bond and documentation rules
- Domestic preference considerations
Practical Bidding Insights
- Register early on the BTB eTendering System
- Ensure full compliance with bid security requirements
- Structure bids in line with MEAT evaluation criteria
- Monitor standstill periods and award announcements closely
Public procurement in Bahrain operates within a centralized, transparent, and legally defined environment. Suppliers that demonstrate regulatory compliance, competitive value, and strong technical capability are well positioned to succeed in Bahrain’s government tender market.
Flag of Bahrain
