Economic activity in Bahrain was subdued in 2018 and is expected to remain at about 1.8% this year, says the International Monetary Fund.

Economic activity in Bahrain was subdued in 2018 and is expected to remain at about 1.8 percent this year, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The IMF described the introduction of value added tax (VAT) in January as “a particularly significant step”, as are plans for cost recovery in utilities and further means-tested subsidy reforms.

It added that the Fiscal Balance Program (FBP), accompanied by $10 billion in regional support, marks a major step in Bahrain’s reform agenda and has alleviated near-term financing constraints.