The number of commercial registrations increased by 6.6 per cent last year compared with 2011, a report said.

Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro submitted the annual report on domestic trade to the Cabinet chaired by Deputy Premier Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, according to the Gulf Daily News.

Newly-registered enterprises and trade dealerships also rose by 32.5 per cent last year, according to the report.

The Cabinet hailed the increase in trade activities, which reflect a positive economic outlook.

Meanwhile, the Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Ministry issued 1,010 investment construction permits last year.

The approved projects cover 1.5 million sq m, ensuring investments worth BD528 million ($1.36 billion).

The Cabinet also emphasised that the government continued its efforts to support tourism and provide all facilities to make the sector capable of boosting Bahrain's position on the tourism map. – TradeArabia News Service