Bahrain Bourse announced the publication of its updated Listing Rules and Guidelines, which would be effective immediately in alignment with the Central Bank of Bahrain’s (CBB) ESG requirements.

Analysis

The revised Listing Rules and Guidelines incorporate new disclosure requirements related to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, as mandated by the CBB’s ‘Common Volume ESG Module’. These rules apply to all securities listed on the Mainboard Market and future listings on Bahrain Bourse.

The new ESG disclosure requirements aim to standardise reporting among issuers, requiring them to establish their own ESG reporting framework in line with BHB and CBB guidelines. Issuers must submit their ESG reports within six months after the end of their financial year, either as a stand-alone report or as part of the company’s annual report.

The CBB’s ‘Common Volume ESG Module’ is applicable to all listed companies for the reporting period ending December 2024. From the end of 2024, these reporting requirements will be applied comprehensively to listed companies and CBB licensees. The module also addresses ESG-related risks in alignment with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the “Blueprint Bahrain” national action plan announced during the COP28 conference in the UAE.

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