Bahrain’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the current prices grew by 5.1 per cent during the first quarter (Q1) of the year as compared to the same quarter of 2017, the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) said in a new report.

Meanwhile, Bahrain non-oil sector beat expectations with 3.4 per cent and 1.9 per cent respectively, at constant and current prices, added the first quarter GDP report of 2018.

However, GDP has reduced in the constant prices by 1.2 per cent comparing to the same quarter of last year.

The oil sector recorded an increase of 17.3 per cent in the current prices as a result in raising oil barrels in comparison to first quarter of 2017. While constant prices in the oil sector decreased by 14.7 per cent due to reduction in amounts of oil production by 5.8 per cent comparing to the fourth quarter of 2017.

The establishment of a new oil marine pipeline - that links between Bahrain’s refinery and the Saudi Aramco during the current year - is expected to increase in oil production in the coming period.

The report has also shown that the manufacturing activity has grown by 4.2 per cent at constant prices and 4.6 per cent in current prices due to increase in value of production of major industrial commodities in Bahrain, compared to first quarter of 2017.

Construction activity grew by 6.7 per cent at constant prices and 7.2 per cent at current prices. Real-estate and business activities grew by 3.7 per cent at constant prices and 3.8 per cent at current prices. While the transportation and telecommunication activity decreased by 0.8 per cent at constant prices and increased by 8.6 per cent at current prices.