Bahrain’s trade balance improved 31 per cent during October 2019, when compared to a year ago, as the Kingdom exported BD154 million worth of products of national origin, iGA’s new foreign trade report said.

The Kingdom in October 2019, the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) said, recorded a deficit, the difference between exports and imports, of BD197m, compared to BD286m in the same month a year ago. During October, the value of imports decreased by 17pc, while exports of national origin dropped by 10pc. However, the total value of re-exports increased by 25pc during the month.

Imports reach BD425 million

Imports decreased by 17pc reaching BD425m during October 2019 compared to BD515m for the same month the previous year.

Top 10 countries accounted for 68pc of the imports, with the remaining accounting for 32pc. China ranked first with a total import value of BD64m, Australia second with BD38m and Saudi Arabia third with BD35m.

With a total value of BD36m, Aluminum oxide topped the products imported to Bahrain. Non-agglomerated iron ores and concentrates came second with BD20m and four-wheel drive cars third with BD19m.