India-Bahrain Trade Surges to $706.68 Million

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

The governments of India and Bahrain have announced that trade between the two nations has reached a total of $706.68 million from January to April this year. India's exports to Bahrain amounted to $352.11 million, while imports from Bahrain stood at $354.57 million for the first quarter of 2023.

Rice imports from India to Bahrain were valued at $68 million in 2023, marking a 33% increase from $51 million in 2022. Semi-milled or fully milled rice, whether coated or uncoated, represented 83% of the top 10 commodities imported by Bahrain from India, with a valuation of $67.68 million for 67,000 tonnes.

Gold jewellery constituted 11% of Bahrain's imports from India, with a value of $26.07 million for 157 kilograms. Smartphones accounted for 8%, amounting to $26.85 million for 97,000 devices. Additionally, Bahrain imported 2,000 private cars in the 1001-1500cc category, valued at $23 million, as well as 5.5 million kilograms of beef worth $22 million.

From Bahrain to India, the principal imports included bars and other forms of iron or non-alloy steel, worth $15 million for 6.8 million kilograms, and 22 million kilograms of refined sugar crystals, valued at $16 million.

India ranks among Bahrain's top 10 trading partners, with trade between the two countries experiencing steady growth, save for a decline in 2019 and 2020. Trade saw a resurgence in 2021, reaching $1.40 billion in 2022. Over the past five years, India's exports to Bahrain increased from $768 million to $904 million, while Bahrain's exports to India grew from $314 million to $500 million, positioning India as Bahrain's 6th largest import partner and 9th largest export partner.