Exports of national goods increased 17 per cent in Bahrain , says iGA

Manama  : Bahrain recorded a 17 per cent jump in the total exports of ‘national goods’ during the third quarter of 2017, according to Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA).

Exports of ‘national goods’ during Q3 increased to BD465 million from BD398m during the same period a year ago. This is according to the foreign trade report released by iGA on balance of trade, imports, exports (National Origin) and re-exports during the third quarter of 2017.

With the value of imports rising 18pc to BD1.204 billion, the value of the deficit of trade balance, iGA said, reached BD610m during the third quarter of 2017 versus BD524m for the same quarter of the previous year with an increase of 16pc. 

As for national export products, aluminium wire emerged as the top products exported in third quarter 2017 with BD64m; agglomerated iron ores and concentrates were positioned second products imported with a value of BD63m, and unwrought aluminium alloys stood third place for exported products with BD40m.

The top ten countries account for 79pc of the exported national origin value and 21pc for other countries. Saudi Arabia was ranked as the first country importing from Bahrain with BD99m, United States of America the second with BD76m and UAE comes third with BD60m. 

Total imports up 18pc

The value of imports increased by 18pc as it reached BD1.204 billion during the third quarter of 2017 versus BD1.017 billion for the same quarter of the previous year, while the top ten countries account for 63pc of the imports value and 37pc for other countries. 

China tops 

According to the iGA report, China was ranked as the first country that exports to Bahrain with BD166m; United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the second with BD126m whereas the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was ranked third with BD79m. 

Four-wheel drive cars

Four-wheel drive cars emerged as the top product imported to Bahrain with BD42m during the third quarter, with aluminium oxide taking the second spot with BD39m. Non-agglomerated iron ores and concentrates were at the third position with BD36m. 

Re-exports rose by 35pc

In regards to the re-exported field, the value of re-exports increased by 35pc as it reached BD127m during the third quarter of 2017 versus BD94m for the same month of the previous year. 

The top ten countries account for 94pc of the re-exported value and 6pc for other countries. Saudi Arabia was ranked first to re-export from Bahrain with BD49m. China came second with BD25m and UAE third with BD19m.

Four-wheel drive cars emerged as the top product re-exported from Bahrain with BD32m. Cigarettes followed with BD6m and Sedan cars with BD4m.