Interview: Bahraini consumers hold positive views on Chinese products: minister

Bahrain’s Industry and Commerce Minister Abdulla Fakhro stated that Chinese products are well-regarded by Bahraini consumers due to their value, variety, and availability. In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Fakhro explained that consumers also appreciate the reasonable prices and high quality specifications offered by Chinese products. He highlighted home accessories, electrical items, gardening tools, power tools, and children’s toys as among the most popular Chinese products in Bahrain. Additionally, Fakhro noted that customizable Chinese products designed for owners of new construction buildings attract Bahraini consumers. Overall, the affordability, wide range of choices, and quality of Chinese products significantly influence the purchasing decisions of Bahraini consumers.

Fakhro also emphasized the strong performance of bilateral trade, noting that Chinese products have become “highly competitive” in the Bahraini market. In 2022, China served as Bahrain’s largest import source, with the bilateral trade volume reaching 2.02 billion U.S. dollars, representing a 13.9 percent increase compared to the previous year. The minister specified that major imports from China include pitch coke, silicon, smartphones, cellular and wireless telephones, and portable digital automatic data processing machines. On the other hand, Bahrain exports aluminum and aluminum products, agglomerated iron ores and concentrates, and copper waste and scrap to China.

Furthermore, Fakhro highlighted the significance of Dragon City in Bahrain, which acts as a prominent shopping mall featuring a wide array of Chinese products. He mentioned that Dragon City is highly praised by both Bahraini residents and tourists from various countries.

Looking towards the future, Fakhro revealed that negotiations are currently underway for a Free Trade Agreement between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China. This agreement aims to strengthen trade exchange and further solidify the economic relationship between the two parties.