Bahrain Mirror: Car imports fell sharply in January to their lowest level since 2013, a sign that car sales are being impacted by the implementation of the Value Added Tax (VAT).

According to a local newspaper, data shows that suppliers imported through the Khalifa bin Salman Port, the main outlet for car imports in the Kingdom, about 2,823 vehicles in January compared to 3,510 in the same month of 2018, i.e. a decrease of 19.6%. January of 2014 recorded the highest monthly rate of car imports when car imports amounted to 5,779.

The negative data were expected after car industry officials said Bahrain would likely test the Gulf experience when consumers were reluctant to buy cars in the first weeks of imposing the tax.

Arabic Version