Al-Amn Magazine

laboratory for the future of finance. For the average citizen, this has translated into a 47 per cent rise in average family income over the last decade. This growth was safeguarded by a robust fiscal framework; in late 2025, the Cabinet approved a comprehensive fiscal stability plan, including a 10 per cent corporate tax for large firms to be phased in by 2027, ensuring that the nation’s wealth is built on a sustainable, diversified foundation rather than the volatility of global energy markets. Security with digital integrity While the economic figures are impressive, they rest upon an often-overlooked foundation: the total modernization of the Kingdom’s security and internal governance. Over the past decade, the Ministry of Interior has evolved from a traditional law enforcement body into a proactive architect of the “Smart State.” The Ministry recognized early on that in a globalized world, security is not just about the absence of crime, but the presence of digital integrity and social trust. Under the leadership of the MOI, the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) has spearheaded a “Cloud-First” policy that has seen Bahrain skyrocket in global rankings. By 2025, the Kingdom achieved a 93.6 per cent maturity rate in the World Bank’s GovTech Index, ranking 15th globally. This digital leap has removed the friction of bureaucracy; today, over 500 government services are digitized, allowing citizens to interact with the state with a seamlessness that was unimaginable in 2015. Furthermore, the MOI has integrated security into the national economic strategy. By launching the National Strategy to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing (2025–2027), the Ministry has fortified Bahrain’s reputation as a safe harbor for international capital. This is complemented by the modernization of Bahrain Customs, where AI-integrated processing has reduced waiting times for trade logistics to a mere 21 minutes - a vital component in Bahrain’s bid to become the region’s premier logistics hub. Promoting ‘humanitarian security’ Perhaps the most profound chapter of the last decade is the shift toward “Humanitarian Security.” Bahrain has pioneered a model of community-centric policing that prioritizes rehabilitation over retribution. A landmark of this era is the Alternative Sentencing Project. Since its inception in 2018, thousands have benefited from this programme, allowing them to reintegrate into society and contribute to the national economy while serving their sentences through community service and vocational training. This spirit of social responsibility is further evidenced by the “Fa’el Khair” (Doer of Good) initiative. This electronic service allows citizens to contribute to the settlement of debts for individuals facing financial legal cases, effectively crowdsourcing social justice through a secure, state-managed platform. Meanwhile, the “Maan” (Together) programme has brought security personnel into scores of schools, fostering a culture of partnership and prevention among students. On the global stage, this commitment to human dignity has earned Bahrain “Tier 1” status in the U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report for eight consecutive years. By treating human rights not as a peripheral concern but as a core tenet of national security, Bahrain has signaled to the world that its progress is built on a foundation of universal values. Gender and environmental Stewardship The social upgrade is also reflected in the dramatic advancement of gender parity. The National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women has successfully moved women into the upper echelons of both the public and private sectors. By 2025, Bahraini women were not just participants in the economy; they are leading it, supported by constitutional guarantees against discrimination and a culture that views gender equality as an economic necessity rather than a social luxury. As the decade closes, Bahrain is also looking toward its physical future. The creation of the Ministry of Sustainable Development in 2022 signaled a new era of environmental consciousness. By the end of 2025, the Kingdom has met its initial target of 5% renewable energy usage, with plans to double that by 2030. From the expansion of “Green Spaces” to the implementation of AI-managed traffic systems to reduce carbon emissions, the Kingdom is ensuring that its growth does not come at the expense of its environment. A vision realized A decade ago, Bahrain was a historic trading post looking for its place in a rapidly changing world. Today, it is a resilient, data-driven, and equitable society. The “Pearl of the Gulf” has been polished by a ten-year journey of reform that intertwined economic ambition with sophisticated security and digital innovation.