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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/
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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

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Markets Wary as Trump Returns to the White House 

US President Donald Trump reviews the troops in Emancipation Hall during inauguration ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington, on January 20, 2025. (AFP)
US President Donald Trump reviews the troops in Emancipation Hall during inauguration ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington, on January 20, 2025. (AFP)
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Markets Wary as Trump Returns to the White House 

US President Donald Trump reviews the troops in Emancipation Hall during inauguration ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington, on January 20, 2025. (AFP)
US President Donald Trump reviews the troops in Emancipation Hall during inauguration ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington, on January 20, 2025. (AFP)

Financial markets swayed and wobbled at the beginning of Donald Trump's second US presidency after he made a softer start on China than many had anticipated, but then signaled punitive tariffs on North American neighbors within hours.

A wave of relief that swept across markets - as his speech and slew of executive orders imposed no new trade levies - was stopped in its tracks when Trump told reporters in the White House's Oval Office that he was thinking about 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada from Feb. 1.

The dollar, which had slipped, reversed course to hit five-year highs on its Canadian counterpart.

Hong Kong shares rose, battery stocks fell and the trading day was a neat reminder of both the rollercoaster that markets rode through Trump's first term and how, this time, investors feel more sanguine about the risks.

"Prepared remarks and what's off the cuff - both of them will move markets," said Tai Hui, chief market strategist in Asia at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, at a briefing in Singapore.

"Rather than basing all our investment decisions on what is announced...we just have to maybe take a step back and just absorb," he said.

"What was said on the campaign trail...and what is now being studied and researched and implemented there's still going to be a significant gap."

Trump had vowed to immediately impose steep tariffs of 10% to 20% on global imports into the US and 60% on goods from China, but a memo he issued after taking office only directed agencies to research and investigate the US trade deficits.

The dollar hit a five-year high of 1.452 Canadian dollars before steadying around C$1.44. It rose but stayed below last month's highs on the Mexican peso.

Treasuries rallied and S&P 500 futures rose 0.2%. European futures slipped 0.4%. Chinese stocks and the yuan tentatively rose.

"Tariffs are necessarily an overhang," said Vis Nayar, chief investment officer at Eastspring Investments in Singapore.

"I think we should expect volatility. But there is hope that there is some pragmatism. We have to assume that he's not going to do anything that just brings up US inflation without paying attention to that."

PRO-BUSINESS, BUT AT A COST

Trump enters office with an ambitious agenda spanning trade, immigration, tax cuts and deregulation which has the potential to boost US corporate profits but which could also reignite inflation and put upward pressure on interest rates.

In his inaugural speech, Trump pledged to bolster the US oil, gas and power industries and to crack down on immigration.

He pardoned supporters who attacked the Capitol four years ago. He also withdrew from the Paris climate pact and declared an emergency to clear the way for more oil and gas production.

Battery stocks in South Korea fell after he revoked an order that had sought to ensure half of new cars sold in the US after 2030 were electric vehicles. A US holiday on Monday means that US equities will react on Tuesday.

"Most of what he has been talking about will help spur growth and corporate profits," said Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at Cresset Capital.

"But many will come at a cost. We will need to see a lot of earnings growth to make up for even a minor increase in interest rates that could follow higher tariffs" and other proposals, he said.

Cryptocurrency markets, which have soared in the run-up to Trump taking office, came under pressure as the lack of any instant crypto-friendly announcements stirred some disappointment. Bitcoin, which came close to $110,000 on Monday was trading around the $100,000 mark and a Trump-branded memecoin that hit almost $75 on the weekend fell to $36.

During the first year of Trump's first administration, the S&P 500 rose 19.4%, following a 5% rally in his first 100 days.

For the entirety of his first term, the S&P 500 rose nearly 68%, but saw bouts of volatility, stemming in part from a trade war Trump fought with China.

"The big question on investors' minds right now is going to be 'how' -- how will he cut costs and lower inflation and lower interest rates," said Josh Strange, president of Good Life Financial Advisors of NoVA, a financial advisory firm.