Bahrain is a signatory of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) of 1996 but is not a signatory of its 2015 expansion (ITA II).

In August 2024, following publication in the GCC Technical Secretariat’s Official Gazette (Vol. 47, 20 August 2024), the GCC Member States, included Bahrain, imposed definitive anti-dumping duties for five years on imports of electrical connectors, switches, sockets and plugs for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 volts (HS 853669, 853650, 85444291, 85444221) originating in or exported from the People’s Republic of China; the duty rates range from 11.3% to 42% by exporter.

The Legislative Decree No. 36 of 2002 establishes a public procurement regime in Bahrain. The Decree distinguishes between local tenders and international tenders. Local tenders are limited to suppliers or contractors authorised to conduct business activities in the Kingdom of Bahrain according to the applicable laws and regulations. International tenders are open to both local suppliers and contractors, and international suppliers and contractors who are unregistered in the Kingdom may participate. According to Art. 19 of the Decree, the criteria for the distinction between local and international tenders shall be based on the nature of goods, constructions or services required to be purchased, the volume thereof, the extent of their complexity and the standards required. The Board shall be empowered to determine the reasons for the selection of an international tender based on such criteria.

The Cabinet’s Resolutions No. 2416-06 of 2017 allocates a 20% share of the value of government procurements and tenders to SMEs and grants them a 10% preference in the biddings of service facilities for all public tenders, except for those of a special nature. The classification criteria through the size of the enterprises, which are available in the SMEs Registration System, exclude a branch of a foreign company from the SMEs classification. The SMEs Registration System is a window launched under the Resolution to enable SMEs to apply for classification certificates according to their size.

It is reported that price preferences are given in public procurement to goods produced in Bahrain and in other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member States, provided that the prices of these goods are within specified margins of the value of their imported equivalents. These are 10% for goods produced in Bahrain and 5% for goods produced in the GCC.

Pursuant to Cabinet Edict No. 11-2679, industrial enterprises holding an "In-Country Value certificate" in the industrial sector shall be accorded a preferential margin of 10% in tenders concerning the supply of goods specified within the certificate. Where an alternative preferential rate is applicable, the establishment shall benefit from the most advantageous percentage available. Further details and implementation guidelines are set out in Circular No. 1 of 2023.

Bahrain is not a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). However, the country has been an observer of the WTO GPA since 2008.

The Legislative Decree No. 21 of 2001 (the Commercial Companies Law), last amended in 2018, provides for the incorporation of companies with up to 100% foreign capital, except for certain business activities that are reserved for Bahraini nationals and companies. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) maintains a small list of business activities restricted to Bahraini ownership, which do not include any sector relevant for digital trade.

Under the Legislative Decree No. 21 of 2001, all investments and transactions in Bahrain are subject to a screening process conducted by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC). Investments and transactions must comply with national security and public order requirements. Over the past year, the MOIC has required companies to disclose the ultimate beneficial owner of their shareholders, who own at least 10% of the share capital.

Patent applicants must appoint a local agent if the applicant is not a resident of Bahrain. Any attorney or lawyer registered to practice before the Patent Office can act as an agent. Art. 5 of Law No. 1 of 2004 in respect of the Patent and Utility Module provides that: "any natural or legal person shall be entitled to file a patent application and acquire the subsequent rights ensuing therefrom subject to the provisions of this law. Eligible applicants may be nationals of the Kingdom, nationals of countries that are members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), or nationals of any other country who enjoy national treatment."

The Customs (De Minimis) Rules permit the duty-free importation of non-commercial goods, including samples and other small consignments, with a maximum value of Tk 2,000 (approx. USD 20). This de minimis threshold is lower than the USD 200 benchmark recommended by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

The Consumers’ Right Protection Act provides a comprehensive framework for consumer protection that also applies to online transactions.

Bangladesh has not signed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.

Bangladesh has adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.

Bangladesh has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.