Economic Affairs Editor
The data of the Central Bank of Bahrain showed the consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0.5% in December 2024 compared to the same month of 2023, which reflects relatively stability in inflation rates. The variety of goods and services recorded the highest increase rate of 3.3%, followed by the group of restaurants and hotels by 3%, then the communications group by 2.9%. On the other hand, the prices of the collection of furniture, home appliances and regular maintenance work for homes decreased by 1.7%.
With regard to payments, the value of withdrawals through the ATMs decreased by 10%, from 288.6 million dinars in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 260.3 million dinars in the fourth quarter of 2024. In return, the value of the sales and electronic trade points increased by 14%, from 1.105 billion dinars to 1.265 billion dinars during the same period.
The supermarket sector increased by 26% in the value of the sales and e -commerce points, from 104 million dinars to 131 million dinars. The value in the store sector increased by 29%, from 34 million dinars to 44 million dinars, and in the jewelry sector by 26%, from 54 million dinars to 69 million dinars.
As for electronic financial transfers, the value of transfers increased through the “immediate” system by 12%, from two billion dinars to 2.2 billion dinars, and through the “immediate” system by 10%, from 5.6 billion dinars to 6.1 billion dinars. The value of transactions through bills increased by 8%, from 284 million dinars to 306.9 million dinars.
