Moody's Agency predicts that Bahrain will be able to increase the Value Added Tax from 5% to 10% at the beginning of next January, to increase state revenues by about 1.8% of GDP.

Sukuk issuance by Gulf sovereign borrowers is expected to rise to around $34 billion this year, from $25 billion in 2019, as funding needs rise as a result of lower oil prices and the coronavirus crisis, Moody's said.