Norton Rose Fulbright has closed its Bahrain office, leaving it with two bases in the Middle East.

The office closed at the end of 2019, according to a statement by the firm, after its sole partner Joanne Emerson Taqi decided to relocate to the firm's Sydney office in March 2020.

The international firm closed its Abu Dhabi base in 2018. Its remaining offices in the region are in Dubai and Riyadh.

The firm's Middle East head Deirdre Walker said in a statement: ""The evolution of the economy in the Middle East, coupled with [Taqi's] move, means it makes clear business sense to consolidate our resources in the region into the financial hubs of Dubai and Riyadh."

The firm has expanded its Dubai office this year, with the hire of Nick Kramer from CMS, where he was a partner and head of commercial construction in the Middle East.

A number of firms are consolidating their offerings in the region.

Other recent exits from the region include Winston & Strawn, which closed its Dubai base in January. U.S. rival Squire Patton Boggs picked up three partners and four associates from the firm, including Winston's Middle East managing partner Campbell Steedman.

Meanwhile Allen & Overy shut its Qatar office in 2019.