Bahrain’s non-oil sector grew by 3.5 per cent year-on-year at constant prices during the first quarter of 2023, reported BNA, citing the country's quarterly economic report.

 

The national economy marked a 2% annual growth at constant prices, stated the report. 

 

Ministerial committee for financial and economic affairs and fiscal balance submitted the report, which sheds light on Bahrain’s economic indicators, as well as the most important developments in terms of strategic projects, and the kingdom's performance in global competitiveness indices.

 

Since the start of the implementation of the economic recovery plan, the average quarterly growth on an annual basis of non-oil GDP has reached about 5.7%.

 

On an annual basis, the non-oil economic sectors at constant prices posted positive growth, as the transportation and communications sector achieved the highest rate, growing by 11.2%, said the report.

 

It was supported by the growth of various sector indicators such as the increase in the number of arrivals through Bahrain International Airport by 42.3%, and the total aircraft movement witnessed an increase by 32.1%. %. Broadband subscriptions also increased by 5.0%.

 

According to the report, the real estate activities and business services sector grew by 5.3%, supported by an increase in the value of real estate trading transactions.

 

The sector recorded, for the second time in a row, the highest contribution to the GDP, with its contribution reaching 17.9%, surpassing the oil sector.

 

The indicators showed an increase in the value of electronic financial transfers by 17.6%, and the total value of bank deposits from non-banks grew by 5.9%, as well as an increase in the total value of loans extended to residents - excluding banks - by about 4.3%, it stated.

 

As for the hotels and restaurants sector, it recorded a growth of 4.3%, and the total number of visitors through all outlets witnessed an increase of 71.9%, and the increase in hotel occupancy (4 and 5 stars) was about 8.4%.

 

The trade sector recorded a similar growth rate of 4.2%, and the statistics of inbound and outbound trucks through the King Fahd Causeway indicate a growth of 16%, while new commercial registrations for companies increased by about 10.8%.

 

The government services sector grew by 3.5%. Then social and personal services, which grew by 1.1%, while the manufacturing sector witnessed a decline of about 1.1%. As for the building and construction sector, it recorded a decline of 1.3%.

  

The positive economic performance was reflected in the classification of  Bahrain in global reports and indicators, as the kingdom advanced by 5 ranks and achieved 25th place globally out of 64 countries in the Global Competitiveness Ranking 2023 issued by the International Institute for Administrative Development (IMD).

 

Bahrain moved up 25 notches to rank 34 globally out of 139 countries in the 2023 Logistics Performance Index issued by the World Bank, reported BNA.

 

The kingdom was also ranked among the top 10 incubating environments for startups in the Middle East and North Africa region in the Global Emerging Ecosystems Report 2023 issued by Startup Genome and the International Entrepreneurship Network.

 

With regard to the labour market, Bahrain was ranked among the first category in combating trafficking in persons for the sixth consecutive year in the US Department of State's Trafficking in Persons Report 2023.

 

It is worth noting that the Kingdom of Bahrain  is the only country in the Middle East and North Africa region within the top tier, it added.-TradeArabia News Service