– Second quarter sees annual growth rate of 2.4% –
– Construction expands at 6.7% and manufacturing by 4.5% –
Manama, 31 October 2018: Bahrain’s headline real growth rate increased sharply in the second quarter of 2018 to an annual pace of 2.4%. The data published in the Bahrain Economic Quarterly Report (BEQ) shows a significant increase in growth from the previous quarter which was underpinned by both the normalisation of oil production and markedly faster non-oil growth.
The quarterly report produced by the Bahrain EDB, found that Bahrain’s non-oil GDP expanded by 2.8% in the second quarter, driven by the construction (up 6.7%) and manufacturing sectors (up 4.5%). The ongoing expansion in the construction sector is illustrated by the total sum of infrastructure projects in Bahrain reaching USD 87.3bn in mid-September according to MEED Projects, a 3.8% year-on-year growth. A number of strategic projects are making headway. For instance, the cumulative total of active infrastructure investments funded by the GCC Development Fund attained USD 3.7bn in the third quarter, which is an increase of 12.7% on 2017. With the recent build-up in tendered projects, this figure is set to grow further at an accelerating pace in the near-term.
The total value of foreign direct investment is continuing to increase at a brisk pace. The total value of projects facilitated by the EDB in the first nine months of 2018 was 138% higher than a year earlier. Of the companies attracted by the EDB in the first three quarters of 2018, 31 out of the 76 companies fall in the manufacturing sector, highlighting the sector’s strength and the Kingdom’s ideal geographic position as a gateway to the Gulf.
Dr Jarmo Kotilaine, Chief Economic Advisor, Bahrain EDB, commented: “Bahrain’s impressive improvement in the second quarter was thanks to a broad-based recovery across the whole economy. In particular, the expansion of Bahrain’s non-oil GDP stands out in the regional context. With the oil industry now accounting for less than 20% of the economy, Bahrain growth was largely led by the non-oil economy, as opposed to most of the Gulf region where the stronger growth has been led by higher oil prices and production.”
Increased economic growth across the GCC will benefit all countries, but the BEQ concluded that Bahrain will be a particular beneficiary as renewed spending power drives growth in visitors and business activity. For example, the Bahraini tourism industry continues to grow across a broad range of metrics. Visitor numbers are up 5.8% year-on-year and the average number of nights spent in Bahrain per visitor jumped by 16%. This reflects Bahrain’s reputation for combining a cosmopolitan city with richly preserved heritage.
On the other hand, the BEQ struck a note of caution that although GCC growth is expected to accelerate to 2.5% this year and 3% in 2019, this is still below historical levels. Business confidence also remains unpredictable, and the growth of the non-oil sector has proved lacklustre. This has prompted a number of Governments to initiate economic stimulus programmes after a period of fiscal retrenchment.
For more information, please contact:
Communications and Media Department
Economic Development Board
Phone: +973-17-589966
E-mail: communications@bahrainedb.com
About Bahrain Economic Development Board
The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) is an investment promotion agency with overall responsibility for attracting investment into the Kingdom and supporting initiatives that enhance the investment climate.
The EDB works with the government and both current and prospective investors, in order to ensure that Bahrain’s investment climate is attractive, to communicate the key strengths, and to identify where opportunities exist for further economic growth through investment.
The EDB focuses on several economic sectors that capitalise on Bahrain’s competitive advantages and provide significant investment opportunities. These sectors include financial services, manufacturing, ICT, tourism, logistics and transport.
For more information on the Bahrain EDB visit www.bahrainedb.com; for information about Bahrain visit www.bahrain.com.
