Saudi Arabia records $1.54bln in POS transactions in one week UAE non-oil growth hits fastest pace since December 2024, PMI shows Oman’s non-oil exports rise 11.4% to $9.3bln, re-exports jump 20% UAE participates in second G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting Saudi Arabia and Syria sign 4 pacts to boost cooperation in transport and logistics sectors Geological assets drive mining, manufacturing growth in Fujairah RAK Chamber explores trade, investment opportunities at UAE-Lebanon Business Forum Saudi Arabia agrees to raise Pakistani agricultural and food exports to $3bln UAE investment council launches data tools to boost overseas investment Oman's public revenue rises 13% to $17.2bln in first half of 2026 Saudi Arabia’s construction costs rise 2.3% in July 2026 ADIB provides $37mln Islamic financing for Glasgow logistics hub Oman’s tea and coffee imports hit record highs Total value of Bahraini exports hit $5.04bln Oman: ARA eyes Q3 2027 gas pipeline launch Oman: Sohar International establishes innovation hub at Terminal 11 to support fintech growth Bahrain's Benefit unveils Digital Direct Debit service Saudi: Civil Defense requires third-party insurance for licensing and renewals of certain activities Saudi PIF annualised total shareholder returns fall to 5.8% as some assets lose value Saudi Aramco offers crude outside Hormuz to some Asian refiners, sources say Ten agreements signed to localise electrical transformer component manufacturing in Oman Khareef lifts Salalah Airport passenger arrivals by 8% Fuel tanker grounding: NCEM activated in Oman Oman to develop four industrial cities under Five-Year Development Plan 2026-2030 Saudi Arabia breaks into world’s top 10 for private AI investment: World Bank report Kuwait Petroleum Corporation posts three-year profit high of $6.9bln in FY 25/26 HSBC Private Bank appoints Feras Al Jaramani to lead its UAE Market UAE extends small business relief for corporate tax until December 2029 Saudi business sector surges with 46,900 new companies in 1H 2026 Solar power set for strong growth in Qatar

Log in

عربي

Media Centre

Home » Media Centre

Bahrain’s economy ‘witnesses solid growth in fourth quarter’

Bahrain’s economy ‘witnesses solid growth in fourth quarter’

Bahrain’s economy ‘witnesses solid growth in fourth quarter’

May 20, 2025

Bahrain’s economy saw solid growth in the fourth quarter of 2024, driven by a robust expansion in its non-oil sector, though trade within the GCC experienced a slight dip, according to a new report.

The report by the Bahrain Chamber reveals that the kingdom’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded by 3.4 per cent year-on-year in Q4 2024. This growth was largely fuelled by a 4.6pc surge in the non-oil sector. In contrast, the oil sector contracted by 3.5pc.

Among the non-oil sectors, Information and Communication led the way with a remarkable 12.4pc growth. Transportation and logistics also saw significant expansion, growing by 11pc, while the manufacturing sector grew by 7pc. Financial and insurance activities remained the largest contributor to Bahrain’s real GDP, accounting for 17.3pc.

Despite the strong domestic performance, trade between Bahrain and its GCC neighbours saw a slight decrease. The total volume of trade between Bahrain and other GCC countries fell by 2pc to $2 billion in Q4 2024, compared to $2.03bn in Q4 2023.

However, trade between Bahrain and Qatar bucked this trend, soaring by 255pc. In Q4 2024, trade with Qatar reached $116.05 million, a significant jump from $32.73m in the same period of the previous year.

Saudi Arabia remains Bahrain’s largest trading partner within the GCC, with trade increasing by 2pc to $984m. The UAE was the second-largest, although trade between the two countries decreased by 10pc to $710m. Trade with Kuwait and Oman also declined, falling by 18pc and 24pc, respectively.

China continues to be a major player in Bahrain’s trade. It is Bahrain’s top import partner, with imports valued at $571.2m, with smartphones being the top imported commodity. Saudi Arabia is the top export partner, with exports valued at $739.4m, with iron ores and concentrates leading exports.

Bahrain also saw increases in domestic financial transactions. Fawri+ transactions, an instant fund transfer service, increased by 12pc, and Point of Sale (POS) transactions rose by 14pc in Q4 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.