GDP at current prices grows over 8 per cent

The Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) issued the second quarter GDP report of 2018 which demonstrates how the Bahraini economy was able to maintain its stability – translating the economic policies that Bahrain is implementing to reach a national economy which provides diversity, competitiveness, and flexibility.

Preliminary estimates of the second quarter indicate an increase in the economic growth within the current prices by 8.25 per cent in comparison to the second quarter of 2017. This is due to positive sustainable growth for the non-oil sector along with contribution in achieving sustainable development aspirations which achieved true growth by 2.4pc in constant prices in GDP – versus first quarter of the same year.

The report has also demonstrated that the manufacturing industry grew by 4.45pc at constant prices and 3.16pc in current prices due to an increase in the value of production of major industrial commodities in Bahrain, quantity and price-wise, compared to second quarter of 2017. Construction activity grew by 6.65% at constant prices and 7.42% at current prices. Real-estate and business activities grew by 3.4% at constant prices and 4.37% at current prices. While the transportation and telecommunication sectors demonstrated a slight decrease by 0.18% at constant prices and increased by 5.93% at current prices.

The report indicated that other public services, excluding education and health, increased by 3.99% at constant prices and 4.68% at current prices. Other social and personal services also witnessed an increase of 1.84% at constant prices and 1.90% at current prices. Additionally, electricity and water activity have witnessed an increase of 3.92% in constant prices and 11.88% in current prices.