A total of 80,386 licensed businesses are operating in Bahrain across 15 different sectors, said a report citing the figures for April.

That is the number of Commercial Registrations (CRs) active across 15 different sectors at the end of April, Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro told MPs in writing, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

"We believe the number of active CRs reflects a positive indicator about Bahrain’s economic growth, offering Bahrainis an
opportunity to become businessmen or find work while supporting the rental market," said Dr Fakhro.

He was responding to a question by parliament financial and economic affairs committee chairman Abdulhaleem Murad, which will be discussed by MPs on Tuesday, on the number of active CRs and ways to combat violations.

Dr Fakhro said a database of inactive CRs was available with the ministry and would be presented to MPs.-TradeArabia News Service