Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa

Khalifa bin Salman oversaw the development of Bahrain's oil and gas sector, including the establishment of the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) and the expansion of the refinery. He also diversified the economy into banking and services.

Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa was appointed Prime Minister of Bahrain in 1970, before independence. He became the head of government and held the position continuously until his death in 2020, making him the longest-serving prime minister in the world.

As Prime Minister, Khalifa bin Salman played a key role in Bahrain's transition to independence from the United Kingdom on August 15, 1971. He managed the administrative and economic aspects of state-building during the early years of sovereignty.

During the 2011 Bahraini uprising, Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman took a hardline stance against protesters, supporting the crackdown and opposing political concessions. His position deepened the rift between the government and the Shia opposition.