I had lunch with an old, once-from-Bahrain friend, and we inevitably talked about the expats lament, the parliamentary slug-fest.
A jab here and there, a haymaker at other times.
Separate electricity cost rises – BIFF, water and sewerage cost rises – BOP, increasing Road and Visa costs – OOF
Then the haymaker; out for the count at 60 – WHAMMO
The referee merely pointing to the expat on the canvas and holding up, the CPR!
Bank accounts mandatorily closed, drivers’ licences no longer valid when up for renewal, visa cancelled unless one has a purpose for being in Bahrain, like a real job, or an investment.
And if that investment is a property, there is no “owning the land,” unless one applies for permanent residency and renouncing any duality of passport, an extremely lengthy process, often years.
And one most expats are reluctant to take.
So it is a case of merely owning the “space” and hardly a nest-egg for a rainy day retiree.
Unless there is a purpose, or a job, no CPR, and you are down for the count, because you need it for EVERYTHING.
Tourists very welcome – warmly so, a tolerant, engaging, society, that makes Bahrain special, many expats would welcome the chance to retire here.
But unless you get the coveted, nay essential, CPR, you are snookered, and the balls will never drop.
Bahrain is not alone in carefully guarding its citizenship; why shouldn’t they be.
Having a Bahraini passport is highly valued and internationally recognised, just ask the people who as a result of their actions, have had it officially withdrawn.
Ultimate sanction.
Access to the benefits of a valuable welfare system, housing, health care, freedom of movement, religion and beliefs, closed.
An interesting report delivered last week by Real Estate agency, Cluttons, reporting the property situation in Bahrain remained “stable.”
Rents however, dipped 11 per cent over the last 12 months, not surprisingly given the departure of many expats.
Weaker than normal levels of demand given slower economic growth, the toll on job creation, was the major issue in relation to rental accommodation.
The residential market was flat, at an all time “low,” but hopefully, it would be exempt from the VAT, and things would improve as there would be 21 new “retail outlet schemes” by 2020 costing BD277 million.
Demand for office space remained ‘lacklustre’
The recent missile attack by the Houthi on Riyadh, utilising Iranian technology, is a “game changer,” declared by Saudi Arabia, an act of war by Iran.
In retribution, Saudi Arabia immediately closed all borders with Yemen.
Commentators believe it, a prelude of war with Iran.
Revelations in the next weeks, drawing attention examples of corruption, including an illicit oil supply network, will exacerbate tensions.
A case of “following the money trail,” the acquisition of unexplained great wealth.
Consequently, destabilisation; the region could suffer “collateral damage,” particularly in terms of tourism and future investment.
And embassy warnings, “Re-consider your travel.”