2011 Bahrain Country Commercial Guide - US - Export.gov

are three to six lanes wide and are well maintained. In older parts the country, many
streets are unpaved or in poor condition. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are connected by
the 25 km (16 mile) King Fahad Causeway, which opened in November 1986. The longdelayed,
40 km (25 mile) road and rail causeway that would connect Bahrain and Qatar
remains in the planning stages.
Driving in Bahrain requires extreme caution. Accidents are common. Drivers often flout
traffic regulations and police rarely enforce rules of the road. Speed cameras and radar
are installed at some intersections. Driving on weekend nights can be hazardous.
Bahrain has a zero-tolerance policy on drunk driving. Traffic congestion is common in
Manama, exasperated by ongoing construction projects and weekend traffic from
neighboring countries.
Rental cars are readily available at Bahrain International Airport and other locations,
including companies such as Budget and Avis. Taxis are plentiful but expensive; meters
are mandatory. Bahrain has a limited bus transportation network. Passenger boats
connect Bahrain with Hawar and Al Dar islands.
Bahrain‘s only public airport, Bahrain International Airport (airport code: BAH), is a
regional hub for several airlines including the country‘s two national carriers, Gulf Air and
Bahrain Air. United Airlines offers a daily, direct flight between Bahrain and Washington,
D.C., via Kuwait. Several international airlines including Lufthansa, British Airways, KLM
and Turkish Airlines service Bahrain and the United States, via connections in Europe.
Bahrain is a regional hub with frequent, direct flights to neighboring GCC countries and
East Asia.
Language Return to top
The official language of Bahrain is Arabic, but English is widely spoken as the standard
language of business and higher education. Hindi, Farsi, Urdu, and various languages
of south Asia are common.
Health Return to top
Sanitary standards for food and water are generally quite good, particularly at major
hotels, but the use of bottled water is recommended. The Government inspects
restaurants to maintain hygienic standards
Bahrain has a modern health system. All Bahrainis receive free state health care. Most
companies offer their expatriate workers health coverage, either through insurance
companies, in which case rates are negotiable, or through arrangements with one or
more of the local private hospitals. There is an $8 fee for expatriates attending an
emergency clinic in a government hospital. The Department of State strongly urges U.S.
citizens to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to
confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency
expenses such as medical evacuation.
Hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies -- including several 24-hour pharmacies -- are widely
available and of high quality. Certain pharmaceutical products may be unavailable, or
sold under a European name.
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