عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Business

Bahrain’s Non-Oil Sector Registers Remarkable 5% Growth in 2017

Fuel storage tank of state-run Bahrain Petroleum Co (Bapco) refinery is seen in Ma'ameer, south of Manama, August 22, 2017. REUTERS/
Fuel storage tank of state-run Bahrain Petroleum Co (Bapco) refinery is seen in Ma'ameer, south of Manama, August 22, 2017. REUTERS/
TT
TT

Bahrain’s Non-Oil Sector Registers Remarkable 5% Growth in 2017

Fuel storage tank of state-run Bahrain Petroleum Co (Bapco) refinery is seen in Ma'ameer, south of Manama, August 22, 2017. REUTERS/
Fuel storage tank of state-run Bahrain Petroleum Co (Bapco) refinery is seen in Ma'ameer, south of Manama, August 22, 2017. REUTERS/

An economic report issued by Bahrain’s Economic Development Board (EDB) revealed that national GDP for 2017 grew by 3.9 percent, with a growth rate of 5 percent in the non-oil sector, placing Bahrain as among the fastest growing Gulf Cooperation Council economies.

The Kingdom of Bahrain succeeded in reducing oil and gas sector’s share of in its national GDP to 18.4% by the end of 2017, down from 43.6% in 2000. This means that Bahrain will likely succeed in diversifying its economic base.

“The economic resilience of the Kingdom of Bahrain is in line with broader regional and global trends, where economic diversification plays a bigger role in achieving faster growth,” said economic adviser to the Economic Development Board Dr. Yarmo Kotelaine on the occasion of the quarterly economic report.

Tourism, trade, real estate and financial services recorded notable growth last year of over 5 percent per sector, highlighting the Bahraini economy’s vitality and ability to grow and expand.

According to its quarterly report, the pace of growth in the kingdom "accelerated markedly" in 2017 compared to 3.2 percent in 2016.

Strong economic performance counters regional slowdown and is driven by strong non-oil based growth, supporting the success of Bahrain's economic diversification plan to counter low oil prices.

It is worth mentioning that tourism played a vital role =, along with the package of major infrastructure projects, in addition to the record success in attracting direct investments in 2017.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted that Bahrain's economy will maintain its position as the fastest growing economy in the Gulf region in 2018 as its economic momentum proves highly sustained.

The EDB’s quarterly economic report revealed a more optimistic outlook for GCC member states in 2018 and a clear recovery which gained traction through diversification policies and improved public spending.

Regional economic future will be discussed at the much anticipated Gateway Gulf Investor Forum.

The conference will bring together investors and business leaders from around the world, and is scheduled from 8 to 10 May, in the Bahrain capital, Manama.

More so, the forum will highlight various economic growth opportunities across the GCC

Most Viewed

 
 
Business

Putin: Russia to Continue Cooperation with OPEC+

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking at the Russian Energy Week forum in Moscow on Thursday (EPA)
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking at the Russian Energy Week forum in Moscow on Thursday (EPA)
TT
TT

Putin: Russia to Continue Cooperation with OPEC+

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking at the Russian Energy Week forum in Moscow on Thursday (EPA)
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking at the Russian Energy Week forum in Moscow on Thursday (EPA)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that his country will continue to develop cooperation with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies known as OPEC+, as well as members of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).

Putin also said Russia is fulfilling its obligations to supply energy resources to the global market.

The Russian President was speaking at the Russian Energy Week before a panel of top ministers from OPEC+ called the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee is scheduled to meet on Oct. 2 to review the market and is not expected to make any changes to policy.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told Reuters on Thursday that there were no changes to OPEC+ plans to start phasing out oil production cuts from December.

OPEC+, which groups OPEC members and allies such as Russia, is scheduled to raise output by 180,000 barrels per day in December. Iraq and Kazakhstan have pledged to cut 123,000 bpd in September to compensate for earlier pumping above agreed levels.

OPEC+ sources told Reuters on Thursday that the producer group is set to go ahead with a December oil output increase because its impact will be small should a plan for some members to make larger cuts to compensate for overproduction be delivered in September and later months.

Speaking at the Russian Energy Week, Putin said on Thursday, “Russia is fulfilling its obligations to supply energy resources to the global market. It plays a stabilizing role in it, participating in such authoritative formats as OPEC+, and the GECF.”

He added: “And we will certainly continue this cooperation with our partners.”

Putin praised cooperation with the BRICS group of countries, which Moscow sees as a counterbalance to the West, adding that Russia will continue cooperation with the OPEC+ oil producers.

Putin also acknowledged difficulties in payments for Russian energy exports, for which “friendly” counries, which have not introduced sanctions against Russia, account for 90%.

Russian oil and gas sales account for around a third of total state budget revenues and have been crucial for underpinning country's economy, which faces multiple sanctions from the West over the military conflict with Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters on the sidelines of Russian Energy Week that all countries participating in the OPEC+ deal are currently in full compliance with their respective obligations, Russian, according to the Interfax news agency.

He said Russia aims to be producing 540 million tons of oil per year by 2050 in the baseline scenario, but this amount might be adjusted depending on the country's obligations within OPEC+.

“Indeed, 540 million tons is the baseline scenario for which we're aiming [for oil output by 2050], but with a caveat taking into account cooperation with our partners in OPEC+. We have no objective to flood the market if it does not require this. But [it also works] the other way, to give the market additional resources if this is required,” Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin said.

He said Russia is not worried about potential growth of demand in the period to 2030 or the period to 2050.

“In our view, it's fairly substantial. It's at least 5 million-7 million bpd, meaning about 4.5%-5.5% from current consumption to 2030. Subsequently, we're talking about around 5% additional growth to 2050,” Sorokin said.