A comprehensive redevelopment of Manama’s historic suq is gathering pace, with works on key landmarks – including the covered arcade and the Bab Al Bahrain complex – scheduled for completion by the fourth quarter of 2026.
Tourism Minister Fatima Al Sairafi revealed that the project is being treated as a national priority under an integrated government plan that brings together multiple authorities in partnership with the private sector to modernise the area while preserving its architectural and cultural identity.
Responding to a parliamentary question by financial and economic affairs committee chairman and Strategic Thinking Bloc president MP Ahmed Al Salloom during the session, the minister said the initiative was being implemented through a joint committee chaired by the Finance and National Economy Ministry, in line with leadership directives.
The plan follows the directives of His Majesty King Hamad to safeguard heritage buildings, as well as guidance from His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to implement an integrated redevelopment programme for historic Manama.
Ms Al Sairafi explained that the project goes beyond the remit of the Tourism Ministry and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) and also involves the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) and the Urban Planning and Development Authority, among other bodies.
“The development plan includes preparing a special urban guide for heritage areas, implementing cultural and tourism projects, creating new attractions and upgrading essential infrastructure using a unified design language that reflects the spirit of the suq,” the minister said.
She revealed that work effectively began in April last year when BTEA issued a tender covering the redevelopment of the suq’s main entrance at Al Musaqqaf, the walkway leading to the Kanoo Museum, and the commercial complex at Bab Al Bahrain. A contractor was appointed in July last year, approvals were secured, and works are now progressing on site.
“These locations form the first visual and experiential impression for visitors – whether citizens, residents or tourists, which is why they were prioritised,” she explained.
The first phase of works on sites under the Authority carries a budget of around BD680,000.
Ms Al Sairafi stressed that the project is being implemented within the framework of the joint committee to ensure adherence to approved heritage development guidelines. Meetings have also been held with merchants and shop owners in the suq to brief them and gather feedback.
“We are keen to ensure that traders are partners in this development, not affected by it,” she said.
She confirmed that completion of works at the covered arcade and Bab Al Bahrain complex is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026, while timelines for other locations will be announced after administrative and financial procedures are finalised.
In his parliamentary comments, Mr Al Salloom, who has recently been elected as Bahrain Chamber board member and treasurer, welcomed the minister’s response and praised the shift from fragmented efforts in the past to what he described as a clear national project backed by institutional co-ordination between government entities.
“Manama Suq is not an ordinary file. It is the historical façade of the capital and one of Bahrain’s most important living symbols in the collective memory of its people,” he said.
“Modern malls exist everywhere, but Manama Suq cannot be replicated. It is not just a collection of shops, but a commercial history, an urban scene and the memory of generations.”
He stressed that development must go beyond pavements, façades and lighting to protect what he called “the spirit of the place”.
Mr Al Salloom pointed to the success of the ‘Hawa Al Manama’ festival as proof that the suq remains capable of attracting people when supported by the right ideas, organisation and backing.
“That event sent an important message – the suq is still alive and can draw crowds when given proper attention,” he said.
While commending the first phase of development, he said it remained below the level of ambition required and called for faster movement into subsequent phases with greater momentum, broader vision and larger budgets.
He also called for a clearly announced timeline for all stages of the project, noting that clarity in phases, priorities and timing is essential for any major national initiative.
Mr Al Salloom also highlighted practical challenges that must be addressed alongside heritage preservation, including parking shortages, bachelor housing conditions in surrounding areas, service pressures and ease of access.
“A visitor who cannot find parking, or does not feel comfortable in the surrounding environment, will not return, no matter how beautiful the market looks,” he said. “Real development combines preserving identity with solving everyday problems on the ground.”
He concluded by calling for more festivals, events and cultural activities similar to Hawa Al Manama, stressing that urban development alone is not enough to revive the suq. “Places do not come back to life through stone alone, but through the return of people. When people return, shops return, movement returns and confidence returns.”
Bab Al Bahrain was constructed in 1949 and originally served as the main entrance to the suq and housed government offices such as police and port customs offices. It acted as a waterfront gateway between Manama’s docks and the suq.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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