Trade between Bahrain and GCC jumps to $1.69bn

Muscat: Trade between the GCC and Bahrain reached a total value of $1.69 billion in the second quarter (Q2) of 2021, marking a 38 per cent increase compared to the same quarter last year, according to the latest figures released by Bahrain’s eGovernment and Information Authority.

The data shows that Bahrain’s non-oil trade has quickly rebounded from a low point in 2020. International trade was severely hampered in Q2 2020 as lockdowns caused borders to close and significantly disrupted supply chains.

Non-oil bilateral trade between Bahrain and the UAE increased by 76 per cent year-on-year to $672 million in Q2 2021.

Trade between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain accounted for around half of total Bahrain-GCC trade, at $781 million. Trade between Oman and Bahrain stood at $141 million. Oman was followed by Kuwait, which recorded $99 million in bilateral trade in Q2 2021.

Bahrain-GCC trade for the first half of 2021 reached around $3.45 billion up from $2.88 billion in first half (H1) 2020.

Ali Al Mudaifa, Executive Director of Bahrain’s Economic Development Board, said that the latest figures show significant progress on an annual basis.

“Bahrain has worked extremely hard alongside its GCC partners to boost trade in the region since the pandemic slowdown. Bahrain’s increasingly diversified economy presents excellent opportunities for foreign investors and we look forward to helping more companies tap into the burgeoning Gulf market in the coming months,” said Al Mudaifa.

He added: “Bahrain’s strong rebound from the pandemic demonstrates the continuing integrity of our robust supply chains and illustrates our position as a key logistical hub in the Gulf region. Companies here benefit from a competitive business environment, the region’s best-value operating costs and one of the most skilled workforces. The Kingdom also offers 100 per cent foreign ownership in most business sectors.”

Some of the biggest exports to the UAE, aside from iron ore and aluminium products, included cheese and biscuits manufactured in Bahrain’s multi-million-dollar mega factories. Within the region, Bahrain is rapidly emerging as an FMCG leader, with global FMCG giants like Arla, Mondelez, Kimberly Clark and Reckitt Benckiser selecting the Kingdom as their regional manufacturing base and distribution hub.