Legal Review: This content has been prepared and reviewed by the legal team at Abdulrahman Khalifa Law Firm.
Last Updated: 1 September 2026..
Category: Bahrain Corporate Law.
Today’s article explains the requirements for Establishing a General Supply Company in Bahrain, If you want to understand the key provisions of Bahrain’s Commercial Companies Law No. 21 of 2001, this guide will give you a clear starting point.
It also covers Resolution No. 3 of 2014 regulating licences for labour supply agencies, including the steps involved in registering a general supply company in Bahrain and the main requirements that may apply.
Keep reading as we explain the most important legal points in a clear and practical way.
Worried that choosing the wrong business activity could disrupt your operations or cost you valuable tenders? Avoid wasting time and money dealing with licensing complications.
Consult a Company Formation Lawyer NowOr continue reading first to understand the requirements and conditions.
Table of Content
What Is a General Supply Company in Bahrain?
A general supply company supplies goods, materials, equipment, or services to companies, institutions, or government entities.
Depending on the licensed activity, this may include:
- Supplying construction materials.
- Supplying equipment and tools.
- Supplying food and consumer goods.
- Supplying office supplies.
- Providing operational services required by companies.
- Supplying products to government or private-sector entities, depending on the nature of the business activity.
This type of company usually deals with trade, contracts, invoices, suppliers, and tenders. For that reason, simply obtaining a Commercial Registration is not enough. Make sure the registered business activity accurately reflects what the company actually intends to do.
Requirements for Establishing a General Supply Company in Bahrain
Meet several basic requirements when establishing a company in Bahrain. These generally include:
- Submit the licensing application or the request to make the required entry on the Commercial Registration electronically.
- Obtain the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities for activities that require prior approval.
- Provide a capital deposit certificate after completing the required approvals.
- Provide a valuation certificate issued by a qualified expert or auditor if the capital includes contributions in kind.
- Submit a copy of the company’s Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association.
- Submit the latest audited financial report if the company has been operating for more than one year.
- Provide a resolution from the Board of Directors or, where applicable, the General Assembly approving participation in the company to be established.
Requirements for Obtaining a Labour Supply Agency Licence
Meet the following requirements to obtain a labour supply agency licence under Resolution No. 3 of 2014 regulating licences for labour supply agencies:
- Be a Bahraini national, if applying as an individual, or establish a legal entity that is wholly owned by a Bahraini national.
- Be registered in the Commercial Register.
- Pay all fees and amounts due to the relevant authority.
- Avoid any proven violation by the licence applicant or licensee of paragraph (d) of Article 23 of the relevant law, or any breach of material obligations imposed by regulations and decisions issued in implementation of that law.
- Make sure the applicant has not previously held another labour supply agency licence that was cancelled under the provisions of the law.
- Ensure that the licensee has not stopped carrying out the licensed activity, closed the business, or changed the business premises in breach of the applicable laws and regulations.
- Submit a certificate of good conduct confirming that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony or an offence involving dishonesty or breach of trust, unless legally rehabilitated. Apply the same requirement to the owners of a legal entity.
- Pay all fines imposed under final judgments in accordance with the Labour Market Regulation Law.
- Specify the professional or economic sector in which labour will be supplied, provided that it falls within the activities and professions approved by the authority.
- Submit documents showing how the labour supply agency activity will be organised. Present this in the form of a plan or programme supported by samples of contracts and documents that will be used in the business, in a manner consistent with the selected professional or economic specialisation and subject to the authority’s approval.
- Undertake to provide a security deposit of BHD 200 for each work permit issued.
- Undertake to provide suitable accommodation for the agency’s workers, taking into account their gender and number and complying with the applicable legal requirements.
The Difference Between General Supplies and Labour Supply
Many people confuse general supplies with labour supply. Understanding the difference matters because each activity has its own requirements and competent authorities.
| Comparison | General Supplies | Labour Supply |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of the activity | Supplying goods, materials, equipment, or services to companies or government entities. | Providing workers or employees to work for other companies or entities. |
| Nature of the business | Commercial or service-based, depending on the type of materials or services supplied. | Connected with managing, employing, and supplying workers to third parties. |
| Simple examples | Supplying construction materials, equipment, food, office supplies, or operational tools. | Providing cleaners, operational workers, technicians, or employees to other companies. |
| Authority linked to the activity | Usually linked to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Sijilat system, while the company may later deal with tenders. | Regulated by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), with specific requirements applying to this activity. |
| Level of regulation | Varies depending on the activity, and some activities may require additional approvals. | More strictly regulated because it involves workers and work permits. |
| Common mistake | Selecting a broad activity that does not actually cover the type of supplies the company intends to provide. | Assuming that obtaining a Commercial Registration alone is enough to carry out labour supply activities. |
| Why does it matter? | Choosing the wrong activity may prevent the company from entering certain contracts or tenders. | Carrying out the activity without the correct licence may result in violations, delays, and fines. |
Put simply, if you plan to supply products, equipment, or services, you will generally need a general supplies, general trading, or similar commercial activity. If you intend to provide workers to other companies, however, you are entering the field of labour supply, where completely different procedures apply.
Define the business activity carefully before submitting the application through Bahrain’s Sijilat system. Although this step may look simple, getting it right can save considerable time later.
Steps for Registering a General Supply Company in Bahrain
Use the new establishment registration service provided by Bahrain’s Labour Market Regulatory Authority to register an establishment. The registration process also allows businesses to apply for, renew, or cancel work permits for expatriate employees electronically.
Follow these steps:
- Visit the “Register Your Establishment” page.
- Complete all required fields.
- Upload the required documents and submit the registration application. A message will appear confirming that your establishment registration request has been submitted successfully and asking you to pay the administrative fees to complete the registration. You will then be redirected automatically to the payment page.
- Pay the administrative fees. The application will then be reviewed within two business days.
- Log in to the Expatriate Management System using your Advanced eKey once the application is approved.
Requirements for Registering Government and Commercial Establishments
Meet the main requirements for registering government and commercial establishments in Bahrain, including the following:
- Attend the registration process in person if you are the owner of the Commercial Registration or establishment, and identify the authorised persons in accordance with the applicable requirements. An authorised representative may also attend on behalf of the Commercial Registration holder or establishment owner under an official power of attorney notarised by a notary public.
- Attach a clear copy of the power of attorney if the person registering the establishment is acting as an authorised agent.
- Use either a general power of attorney covering management and disposal matters or a power of attorney specifically authorising the management of Commercial Registrations.
- Mention the Labour Market Regulatory Authority clearly in the power of attorney and specify the level of authorisation, including whether it covers applying for, renewing, or cancelling work permits.
Cost of Establishing a General Supply Company in Bahrain
Expect the cost of Establishing a General Supply Company in Bahrain to vary from one case to another. Still, account for several basic expenses before starting the process.
Consider the following main costs:
- Commercial name reservation fees.
- Commercial Registration application fees through Bahrain’s Sijilat system.
- Fees for adding commercial activities.
- Fees for notarising the Memorandum of Association, where required.
- Costs related to the commercial address or lease agreement.
- Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry fees, where applicable.
- Fees for any additional approvals required from specialised authorities.
- Legal fees if a lawyer is instructed to prepare and follow up on the company formation file.
Include the fees and requirements of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority if the business activity also involves labour supply. A labour supply licence is not treated in the same way as an ordinary general supplies activity.
Determine the type of company, the required activity, the number of partners, and whether additional approvals are needed before trying to calculate the exact formation cost.
How Long Does Establishing a General Supply Company Take?
Complete the Commercial Registration procedures within a relatively short period when the documents are ready, the business activity is clearly defined, and no complicated external approvals are required.
Expect the process to take longer in some cases because of missing documents, comments on the proposed commercial name, the need to amend the business activity, or the requirement to obtain approval from another authority.
Prepare carefully from the beginning to save valuable time.
Before submitting the application, make sure you:
- Choose a suitable commercial name.
- Select the correct business activity.
- Prepare the partners’ information.
- Draft the Memorandum of Association clearly.
- Provide an acceptable commercial address.
- Check whether the activity requires any additional approval.
Keep the application file clear and complete from the start to make the process easier and faster.
Does a General Supply Company Need Commercial Premises?
Provide a clear and acceptable commercial address in most cases before obtaining the Commercial Registration. The type of address required may differ depending on the licensed activity and the nature of the business.
Use only an administrative office where this is sufficient for the company’s activities. In other cases, provide a warehouse or suitable premises if the business involves goods, equipment, or materials that require storage.
Check that the proposed address is suitable for the intended activity before committing to it. The competent authority may require changes if the premises do not match the nature of the licensed business.
How Can Abdulrahman Khalifa Law Firm Help You Establish a Company?
Get comprehensive legal support from Abdulrahman Khalifa Law Firm when establishing a general supply company in Bahrain.
We can help you:
- Choose the most suitable legal form for the company.
- Select the correct commercial activity.
- Draft and review the Memorandum of Association.
- Review the partners’ details and the manager’s powers.
- Follow up on Commercial Registration procedures.
- Understand the requirements for activities that need additional approvals.
- Review supply contracts and tender documents before signing.
Start with a clear legal path instead of trying several approaches and losing valuable time.
Book a legal consultation and find out exactly what your company needs before submitting the application.
FAQ Establishing a General Supply Company in Bahrain
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the requirements for Establishing a General Supply Company in Bahrain:
What Documents Are Required for Establishing a General Supply Company?
The main documents required for Establishing a General Supply Company include:
1. The initial Memorandum of Association, along with all required documents and licences.
2. A certificate from the Commercial Register confirming that the company name is unique.
3. A receipt confirming payment of the required fees.
What Are General Supplies?
General supplies, also known as government supplies, involve providing goods, works, and services on behalf of or to a public authority.
What Documents Are Required for Establishing a General Supply Company?
The main documents required for Establishing a General Supply Company include:
1. The initial Memorandum of Association, along with all required documents and licences.
2. A certificate from the Commercial Register confirming that the company name is unique.
3. A receipt confirming payment of the required fees.
This brings us to the end of our guide on the requirements for Establishing a General Supply Company in Bahrain. We have covered the main requirements and steps involved in registering general supply companies in Bahrain.
Contact a leading corporate lawyer in Bahrain to receive legal advice tailored to your company’s needs.
A Bahraini lawyer and the founder of a legal consultancy firm established in February 2019. He holds a Higher Degree in Sharia and Law from Al-Azhar University. He has extensive experience in court representation and providing legal advice in criminal, personal status, civil, and commercial matters. He is known for delivering clear, practical, and effective legal advice aimed at protecting his clients’ rights and interests, and has achieved tangible results in notable cases, including commercial litigation and inheritance matters
