Bahrain Mirror (Reuters): Fitch Ratings (Fitch) has downgraded Gulf International Bank B.S.C.'s (GIB) Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (LT IDR) to 'A-' from 'A'.

The local Bahraini Al-Wasat newspaper reported that more than 4,000 employees who work in the ready-made clothing industry in Bahrain risk losing their jobs by the end of the period of exemption from US customs duties by July, 2016.

The Economist stated that by the end of 2017, Bahrain's debt is expected to reach 65% of GDP, as it will need an oil price of $120 to balance its books.

Bahrain Mirror (Reuters): Moody's Investors Service has cut its outlook for the debt ratings of Saudi Arabia and three other Gulf states while lowering Bahrain's rating to junk, citing concern over the impact of low oil prices on their finances.

Bahrain Mirror (Reuters): Rating agency Standard & Poor's downgraded Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Bahrain and Oman's credit ratings on Wednesday, in its second mass cut of large oil producers in almost exactly a year.

Bahrain Mirror: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated that the fiscal deficit of the Bahraini government would reach approximately 15% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during 2016, with the drop of oil prices to lowest rate since 12 years.

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services stated that the outlook for each of Bahrain, Lebanon, Oman and Saudi Arabia is negative,

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated that Bahrain would not be on the list of beneficiaries of lifting international sanctions on Iran.

Bahrain’s Minister of Energy Abdulhussain Mirza implied that there is a possibility of raising gasoline prices again, explaining that Bahrain’s Ministry of Energy was assigned to study a suitable mechanism, and recommended it to the Cabinet in order to set gasoline prices in the future.

Bahrain Mirror: The Committee of Financial and Economical Affairs of the Bahraini Parliament passed a bill to impose fees on financial transfers outside Bahrain. The committee said it would be a major spring for the state’s general budget, and a way to find new revenue sources to achieve progress and development in the Bahraini economy.

Bahrain Mirror: Bahrain’s oil prices crossed an unexpected limit to reach the USD 20s category in the “worst case scenario”. It is expected to reach USD 25 per barrel if no big changes occur in global markets.

Bahrain Mirror: The local Bahraini Al-Wasat newspaper said that the salaries of 3,154 officials in the private sector of the Kingdom of Bahrain are equivalent to what approximately 100,000 workers in the private sector earn.

Bahrain Mirror: Standard & Poor's Ratings Services on Monday (December 21, 2015) revised its outlook on Bahrain-based Mumtalakat to negative from stable and affirmed their 'BBB/A-2' long- and short-term foreign and local currency issuer credit ratings on Mumtalakat.

Bahrain Mirror: Fitch Ratings has revised Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company's (Mumtalakat) Outlook to Negative from Stable and affirmed the Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) and senior unsecured rating at 'BBB-'.

Bahrain Mirror: Fitch Ratings has changed the Outlook of Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) to Negative from Stable while affirming its Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'BBB-

Bahrain Mirror: On Dec. 11, 2015, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its long- and short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on the Kingdom of Bahrain at 'BBB-/A-3'.

Bahrain Mirror (Reuters): Fitch Ratings has revised Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company's (Mumtalakat) Outlook to Negative from Stable and affirmed the Long-term Issuer Default Raing (IDR) and senior unsecured rating at 'BBB-'.

Bahrain Mirror (Reuters): Fitch Ratings has changed Bahrain Telecommunications Company's (Batelco) Outlook to Negative from Stable while affirming its Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'BBB-'.

Bahrain Mirror (Reuters): Fitch Ratings has revised the Outlook on National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) and BBK B.S.C. (BBK) to Negative from Stable, while affirming their Long-term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at 'BBB-'

Bahrain Mirror: The Financial and Economic Parliamentary Commission passed a decree law to raise the public debt ceiling to 10 billion Bahraini dinars instead of 7.