I RECENTLY read an interesting piece that cited official data saying import of smart and mobile phones in Bahrain was 605,000 devices in 2022, as compared with 674,000 in 2021 – a fall of 18.4 per cent.
I think this is a positive development caused by changing people’s consumption patterns and behaviour in the local market due to the high costs and also people using their phones for longer periods of time.
The news report also spoke of the total import value of mobile phones – about BD82.5 million in 2022, compared to BD91.5m in 2021.
This is an indication that the consumer has become more aware, on the one hand, and is facing difficult economic conditions, on the other. In any case, this is a good indicator.
Sometimes material reasons are a major reason for changing consumer behaviour, far from general culture and conviction and puts the consumer in a difficult situation. Despite several theories that deal with solutions to the fever of luxury consumption, they agree on the role of guidance and intellectual education to differentiate between real and imaginary needs.
Extravagance is exceeding the limit in every act. I hope we work hand in hand to cultivate a culture of moderate consumption in our society to achieve the desired goals and to direct spending on basic needs instead of luxuries. This also reflects the intellectual and educational level of conscious and civilised people.