Economy
Bahrain Says It Will Receive $2.3 Billion From Allies in 2019
(Bloomberg) — Bahrain said it will receive about $2.3 billion this year from a five-year support package provided by its Gulf Arab allies as the island-kingdom seeks to reduce its budget deficit and debt.
The sum is roughly in line with the amount received in 2018, according to Bahrain’s Finance Ministry. The $10 billion package was made available by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait in 2018 to help avert a currency devaluation that could have reverberated across the region.
The ministry’s announcement is the first that offers details about the aid package, which has helped slash Bahrain’s borrowing costs and restore investor confidence. After struggling to tap international debt markets at some point last year, the kingdom is now planning to sell bonds in the second half of 2019, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
Other details from the Finance Ministry’s statement include:
- Bahrain will receive $1.761 billion in 2020, $1.846 billion in 2021, $1.421 billion in 2022, and $650 million in 2023
- Under its fiscal balance program, the government forecast a budget deficit of 3.4% of gross domestic product this year, compared with 6.4% in 2018
- It sees the shortfall narrowing to 2.1% in 2020
The three wealthier Gulf monarchies rallied to Bahrain’s aid after its finances came under pressure due to lower oil prices. The Saudis have been Bahrain’s key backer since the Arab Spring protests of 2011.
Bahrain’s announcement comes shortly after parliament passed the country’s budget, in which the “government reconfirmed its commitment to subsidy reform,” the ministry said. The kingdom has also introduced value-added taxation and a voluntary retirement program to government employees below director level.
“The deficit is down over a third and annual GDP growth remains robust,” Finance Minister Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said. “Bahrain is demonstrating its commitment to delivering strong, sustainable economic growth.”
The deficit forecasts, however, are lower than International Monetary Fund estimates, which include extra-budgetary spending. The IMF has predicted a shortfall of 8.4% this year and 7.7% next year.
-
Economy1 month agoNumber of Workers in GCC Countries Increase From 2021 to 2025
-
OER Magazines2 months agoDossier Oman: Banking, Finance & Insurance Special Edition
-
Magazines1 month agoOER Magazine April 2026 Issue
-
Oman1 month agoREVIEW: WHOOP and the Rise of Performance Luxury
-
Lifestyle1 month agoAP x Swatch Royal Pop: A Rule-Breaking Collaboration That Takes the Royal Oak Off the Wrist
-
Economy1 month agoElectricity Tariffs Reduced for Residential Use – What It Means for You
-
News1 month agoANALYSIS: Oil Slips As Peace Hopes Reprice Middle East Risk, But Supply Tightness Keeps Market On Edge
-
News2 months agoOPINION – New CEO, New Era: What’s Next for Apple?

You must be logged in to post a comment Login