Bahrain registered a trade deficit of 318.2 million Bahraini dinars in 2000 ($844 million), with exports of BD 644.5 million and imports of BD 962.7 million, reported the Bahrain Tribune. However, the picture was reversed where non-oil exports with the Arab world were concerned —exports worth BD 187.7 million and BD160.5 worth of imports million were reported — a trade surplus of BD 27.2 million.
Among Arab countries, Bahrain’s top trade partner during 2000 was Saudi Arabia, with imports of BD 85.4 million and exports of BD 92.7 million exports. The UAE took the number two spot, with BD 42.7 million of imports and BD 31.3 million of exports.
Countries from the Asia dominated trade activity during 2000, with imports worth BD 289.5 million and exports worth BD 233.3 million. Japan was Bahrain’s most important trading partner, with imports worth BD 65.2 million and exports BD 35.2 million. It was followed by China, with BD 46.2 million imports and BD 9.3 million worth of exports.
Imports from Europe equaled BD 283.2 million while exports totaled BD60.6 million. The United Kingdom was Bahrain’s most important trading partner in Europe, with imports standing at BD 67.7 million and exports at BD 4.1 million. Germany was second largest — with BD 61 million worth of imports and five million Bahraini dinars worth of exports.
Imports from the Americas stood at BD 125.1 million and exports were worth BD 144.0 million. The United States was the dominant trading partner from that region, with BD 74 million worth of imports and BD 140.9 million in exports.
Australia was Bahrain’s leading trade partner in the Oceania region, with BD 97 million worth of imports and BD 7.2 million of exports. — (Albawaba-MEBG)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
