Bahrain Imports Surpass Exports

The value of imports by Bahrain reached BD1.124 billion (US$2.96 billion) during the first quarter of this year, while the value of national origin exports hit BD594 million (US$1.564 billion), said a report. The trade balance – the difference between exports and imports – reached BD399 million (US$1.051 billion) for the period, said the foreign trade report by Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) for Q1, 2017.

According to the report, China topped the list of exporters to Bahrain with BD135 million (US$355.497 million) worth goods; the UAE came second with BD118 million (US$310.73 million) and the US third with BD83 million (US$218.565 million).

On the exports front, Saudi Arabia topped the list with BD141 million (US$371.297 million); US came second with BD115 million (US$302.831 million) and the UAE third with BD68 million (US$179.065). Agglomerated iron ores and concentrates were the top products exported with a value of BD100 million (US$263.331 million); aluminum wires came second with a value of BD74 million (US$194.865 million); and rectangular alloyed aluminum plates stood third with BD53 million (US$139.566 million).

Products worth BD132 million (US$347.597 million) were re-exported form the kingdom during the period. Saudi Arabia ranked first in re-exports from Bahrain with a value of BD55 million (US$144.832), China was ranked second with BD22 million (US$57.933 million), and the UAE came third with BD18 million (US$47.4 million).

Four-wheel drive cars emerged as the top products re-exported from Bahrain with a value of BD26 million (US$68.466 million), cigarettes came second with BD15 million (US$39.5 million), and sedan took the third spot with BD6 million (US$15.8 million).