The Shura Council is set to vote on the following:
- A mutual taxation agreement with Saudi Arabia
- Amendments to Decree-Law No (1) of 1985 regulating agricultural drains, introducing tougher fines and prison terms for violations such as blocking water channels, altering their course, constructing over them, or failing to comply with drainage instructions issued by the relevant authority. Under the revised framework, penalties will be significantly increased compared to the current law, with offenders facing fines ranging from BD1,000 to BD10,000 and imprisonment of no less than three months. Repeat violations will carry doubled penalties.
- A draft law approving Bahrain’s accession to Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. It aims to tighten controls on air pollution from maritime operations and align the kingdom with global environmental standards.
- A draft law amending Law No 35 of 2012 on Consumer Protection. Shops that mislead customers or fail to honour delivery commitments could face closure for up to three months, daily fines reaching BD2,000, suspension or cancellation of their Commercial Register and public naming in the media.
Shura’s financial and economic affairs committee chairman Khalid Al Maskati said the amendments were designed to restore discipline and transparency to the market. The draft law also introduces, for the first time, a comprehensive legal framework regulating promotional campaigns, discounts and clearance sales. Such activities would require licences issued under rules to be set by a ministerial decision approved by the Cabinet, including clear fee structures and regulatory controls.
- A Royal Decree amending the 2001 Commercial Companies Law aimed at modernising corporate governance, strengthening transparency, and aligning the Kingdom’s financial framework with international standards, particularly ahead of its upcoming evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in 2026.
It introduces wide-ranging reforms that includes digital transformation of company operations, tighter accountability rules, and the restructuring of company models to enhance investment flexibility.
- A Royal decree on natural gas exploration that covers the Juba and pre-Tawil reservoirs in the Bahrain Field and signed on August 6 last year between the Government, Bapco Energies and EOG Resources Bahrain Awali.
The foreign partner will fund up to $100 million in the initial phase, drilling wells to assess commercial viability in unconventional onshore reservoirs. If successful, production proceeds under a joint framework.
- A Royal decree amending the 2013 Money Collection for Public Uses Law. It redefines who qualifies as a ‘licensee’, as it requires legal entities to obtain prior ministerial approval before launching any fundraising, and restrict individuals to religious fundraising only.
Anyone who receives donations for public purposes without a licence must notify the Social Development Ministry within seven working days. The ministry must respond within 30 days – and silence will now count as rejection, not approval.
Licensed organisers must submit detailed financial reports within 30 days of completing a campaign, with annual reporting required if the campaign runs longer than a year. The most debated change mandates court-ordered confiscation of funds collected without a licence – or an equivalent amount if already spent – with the money redirected to charitable causes designated by the ministry.
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