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."

Bahrain is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

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).

According to Art. 14 of Law No. 31, a certification is required for communication equipment. The certificate should be issued in accordance with the country's requirements on standardisation and certification. According to Art. 27 of the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 67 about Technical Regulation, tests for certification of conformity have to be carried out by accredited testing labouratories and companies need to submit their equipment for testing to the regulator or its delegated entity. Yet, it is reported third-party certification from Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) that are recognised by the regulator are accepted. The Kyrgyz Centre of Accreditation (KCA) under the Ministry of Economy performs accreditation of certificated bodies and testing labouratories. It is reported that in October 2013, the Kyrgyz Republic joined the multilateral Agreement on Mutual Recognition of International Cooperation on labouratory Accreditation (ILAC) and became a full member of ILAC with respect to accreditation of testing labouratories according to international standard ISO/IEC 17025.

Art. 15 of Law on Licensing System in the Kyrgyz Republic outlines that licenses are required for certain activities and operations specified by law including the following:
- Foreign currency exchange services;
- Payment intermediary services using IT-based and electronic payment systems;
- Acceptance, processing, and issuance of financial information (processing and clearing services) relating to payments and settlements between third parties and participants of the payment system of a given processing or clearing center.

It is reported that the de minimis threshold, that is the minimum value of goods below which customs do not charge duties, is 18,700 KGS (approx. USD 200).

Kyrgyz Republic lacks a comprehensive framework for consumer protection that applies to online transactions.

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

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