Bahrain-India trade hits new high; aluminium top export

Bahrain-Indian trade exchanges are on a new high with the kingdom exporting aluminium worth $140.3 million to the Asian giant, reported BNA, citing official data.

India has been ranked as Bahrain’s 7th partner for trade imports and the the 6th for exports.

The country's exports to Bahrain soared by 43% over the past two years (2017-2018) while imports from Bahrain grew by 19% during the same period.

According to 2018 statistics, Bahrain had imported industrial products and machinery worth $79.2 million.

The volume of non-oil trade exchanges between the two countries grew by 24.6% between 2016 and 2018 to top $1.1 billion.

According to a report issued by the Indian Industries Association, the country's non-oil exports to Bahrain included mainly non-organic petrochemicals, precious metals, electrical parts and other products.

Bahrain’s investments grew threefold in less than three years, jumping from $48 million in 2014 to $140 million in 2017.

The kingdom’s investments in India are concentrated in several sectors, mainly food, energy, finance and banking, maritime operations, seaports and containers, reported BNA.

According to experts, the Indian investments in Bahrain have surged to over $1.6 billion in 2017, mainly in strategic sectors such as finance and banking, contracting and hospitality, in addition to food, jewellery and machinery.

As per latest statistics, the overall number of Indian companies in the kingdom has exceeded 3,200.

India is also among the main exporters of food products, spices and fruit to Bahrain, in addition to mechanical equipment and technological devices, stated the report.

Bahrain’s exports to India expanded to include, apart from oil and byproducts, to include aluminum items, raw materials, steel, salt, cement and fertilizers, it added.