Manama, December 3, 2025 —Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Competition (GAC) and Bahrain’s Authority for the Encouragement and Protection of Competition have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening coordination on merger review, cartel enforcement and policy development.
The agreement, concluded on the sidelines of the fourth meeting of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council, establishes a formal framework for information exchange, capacity building and technical cooperation. It also provides for closer dialogue on cross-border investigations and emerging issues affecting markets in both jurisdictions.
The MoU focuses on three areas:
— sharing non-confidential expertise and enforcement experience, including on digital markets and regulated sectors
— coordinating approaches to major mergers and market studies with cross-border impact
— developing joint training programs and staff exchanges to support long-term institutional development
Officials said the arrangement reflects the growing economic integration between the two Gulf neighbours and the need for aligned oversight of regional companies active in both markets.
Implementation and Oversight
The MoU was signed in Manama by Saudi Economy and Planning Minister Faisal Al-Ibrahim on behalf of GAC and Bahrain’s Minister of Industry and Commerce Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro. Both authorities will establish contact points to oversee implementation and explore future areas of cooperation.
Source: https://www.spa.gov.sa/N2458207
