Manama: Mahmood Rafique, Editor: The value of imports decreased by 8 per cent reaching BD1.168 billion during second quarter of 2020
compared to BD1.267 billion for the same quarter the previous year. The top 10 countries
accounted for 67% of the value of imports, with the remaining countries accounting for 33%.
This came as the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) issued its foreign trade report of second quarter 2020, encompassing data on the balance of trade, imports, exports (national origin), and re-exports.
According to the report, China ranked first when it came to imports to Bahrain, with a total of BD194 million, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was second with BD79.1 million, and the Brazil was third with BD79 million.
Aluminum oxide emerged as the top product imported into Bahrain with a total value of BD79 million, while non-agglomerated iron ores and concentrates was second with BD75 million, and four-wheel drive cars third with BD43 million.
The value of exports of national origin decreased by 9% to BD540 million during second quarter 2020, compared to BD595 million for the same quarter of the previous year. The top 10 countries in terms of the value of exports of national origin purchased from Bahrain accounted for 74% of the total value, with the remaining countries accounting for 26%.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ranked first among countries receiving Bahraini exports of national origin, importing BD109 million from Bahrain. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates was second with BD51 million and United States of America third with BD43 million.
Unwrought aluminum (not alloyed) emerged as the top products exported during second quarter 2020 with BD101 million, unwrought aluminum alloys was second with a value of BD100 million, and agglomerated iron ores and concentrates alloyed third with BD66 million.
The total value of re-exports decreased by 20% to reach BD143 million second quarter 2020,
compared to BD180 million for the same quarter of the previous year. The top 10 countries accounted for 93% of the re-exported value, while the remaining countries accounted for the 7%.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ranked first with BD61 million, the United Arab Emirates second with BD24 million, and China third with BD18 million.
four-wheel drive cars emerged as the top product re-exported from Bahrain with BD30 million, parts for aero planes came in second place with BD14 million, and cigarettes containing tobacco came third with BD9 million.
The trade balance, the difference between exports and imports, recorded a deficit totaling BD485 million during second quarter 2020 compared to BD492 million for the same quarter of the previous year, an improvement of the trade balance by 1%.
