New regulations are set to be introduced to bring order to Bahrain’s rapidly expanding food truck sector, amid concerns over unlicensed operators, unfair competition and random use of public and private spaces.
Northern Municipality director-general Mohammed Al Sehli said final details were being co-ordinated with all relevant government bodies to ensure that only properly licensed food trucks are permitted to operate.
“The situation has gone out of hand,” Mr Al Sehli said.
“Anyone can come, park a food truck anywhere, with or without permission, and start operating. This affects those who have complied with all licensing requirements and invested properly in their businesses.”
He said the new framework would regulate where food trucks can operate and ensure consistent inspection, monitoring and enforcement. Multiple ministries will be involved, including Municipalities and Agriculture, Industry and Commerce, Works, Electricity and Water, Interior, and Health.
“This will not be the responsibility of one authority alone,” he explained. “There will be joint inspection teams to review licences, locations, hygiene standards and safety requirements. The aim is organisation, fairness and public safety.”
Officials insist the upcoming regulations are necessary to preserve the original purpose of food trucks while maintaining order and fairness.
“We are not against food trucks,” Mr Al Sehli said. “We are against chaos. Regulation will protect consumers, support serious entrepreneurs and ensure that public spaces are used responsibly.”
Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah echoed these concerns, warning that uncontrolled expansion was harming both established businesses and public order.
“Food trucks started as small projects meant to grow gradually,” Mr Tarradah said. “Instead, we are now seeing uncontrolled competition, where licensed operators are placed at a disadvantage while others operate without permits on public roads or on private land.”
He stressed that regulation was not intended to restrict entrepreneurship, but to protect it.
“We want people to start small, succeed and expand in a structured way. But that cannot happen without clear rules that everyone respects.”
As part of wider efforts to regulate the sector, 12 designated locations will be allocated this year for food trucks and street vendors. GDN earlier reported that these sites will be equipped with essential infrastructure and services, ensuring safe and organised operations.
An electronic booking system will also be introduced to guarantee fair access to locations and prevent monopolisation. The system is expected to streamline operations and eliminate disputes over site allocation.
Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak previously told Parliament that the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to create sustainable economic opportunities for Bahrainis, particularly young entrepreneurs.
He said mobile vending was designed to empower citizens, describing human capital as ‘the cornerstone of development’.
More than 1,100 locations are already available across markets, kiosks, parks and designated areas, alongside ongoing support programmes for youth-led projects.
The new rules are expected to be announced once co-ordination with all concerned authorities is completed.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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