Real estate sector plays a critical and pivotal role in the economic activity at the global level, because it is one of active and significant investment instruments of the states' GDP at the regional and international levels.

As the Kingdom applies economic open-door policy as the region's important financial hub; in addition to flexible real estate regulations and laws governing real estate trading, the real estate trading index constantly and steadily grew totaling BD 236,613,072 by the end of the first quarter of this year compared to BD 142.488.605 over the same period last year; and increase of 40%.

The highest trading ratio during the first quarter:

February witnessed the highest trading ratio during the first quarter of this year as the value of traded real estate was BD 94,421,710, compared to March of 2006 which was the highest month of traded real estate with value peaked at BD 51,274,309.

 Real Estate trading index of GCC nationals and foreigners

Total trading volume of Non Bahraini in property market of the Kingdom during the first quarter of this year 2007 reached 14% of the total traded in properties compared to 2006 which reached 12% - an indication of close trading rate over the two years.

Saudi citizens had the highest share compared to the share of other nationalities as their transactions amounted to BD50.048.877, followed by and the Kuwaiti citizens by BD21.071.530 and UAE citizens by BD4.611.620.