Bahrain’s GCC trade hits USD 2.1bn as growth momentum builds

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s trade with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries rose 15% in the second quarter of 2025 to USD 2.11 billion, up from USD 1.83bn a year earlier, according to the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Saudi Arabia remained Bahrain’s top trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching USD 942m, an increase of 9%. The United Arab Emirates followed with USD 835m, up 26%, reflecting stronger regional commercial ties.

The Chamber’s quarterly report showed real GDP expanding 2.5% year on year, driven by a 3.5% rise in non-oil activity despite a 2.6% decline in oil output. Professional, scientific and technical services led growth at 12%, followed by wholesale and retail trade at 6.7% and real estate at 4.7%.

Financial and insurance activities contributed the largest share of GDP at 17%, ahead of oil at 14.8% and manufacturing at 14.2%. The report also cited the IMF’s April 2025 outlook projecting 3.9% real GDP growth for emerging economies in 2026.

Trade with Qatar climbed 14% to USD 132m, Kuwait rose 11% to USD 106m and Oman increased 3% to USD 92m. The Chamber noted Bahrain’s first-place global ranking for electricity production and ICT access in the Global Innovation Index 2025.

Digital transactions also grew strongly, with Fawri instant payments up 16% and point-of-sale transactions up 14% year on year.

China remained the Kingdom’s top import source at USD 564m, led by smartphones worth USD 58m. The UAE ranked second with USD 364m, mainly gold bullion at USD 108m, followed by Australia (USD 331m), Brazil (USD 267m) and the United States (USD 257m).

Saudi Arabia was also the leading export destination at USD 716m, dominated by unwrought aluminium alloys worth USD 116m. The UAE received USD 471m, the United States USD 264m, the Netherlands USD 120m and Qatar USD 110m.

Unmanufactured aluminium ingots topped Bahrain’s exports at USD 800m, followed by agglomerated iron ore and concentrates at USD 402m, and pure aluminium wire at USD 141m— underlining the Kingdom’s industrial strength and regional trade momentum.