Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa chaired the 303rd meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Development Projects and Infrastructure.
As part of following up on the implementation of the directive issued by His Majesty King Hamad to develop a work plan aimed at preserving the historical and cultural identity of Bahrain’s buildings and cities, as well as the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to launch an integrated plan for the redevelopment of the historic Manama Suq area while preserving its historical and cultural identity, the committee commended the outcomes of the joint co-ordination meeting held by the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry, the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca), and the Capital Trustees Board.
The meeting reviewed the latest developments of the project and reflected the continued integration and co-ordination among the relevant entities to ensure efficient implementation in line with best practices.
The committee reviewed a presentation on the latest developments concerning the tasks assigned to the Survey and Land Registration Bureau (SLRB) related to surveying historical areas and markets across the kingdom.
The committee also commended the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) for organising, in co-operation with the Bahrain Property Development Association (BaPDA), an introductory seminar for real estate developers on the latest legislation and regulatory developments in the real estate sector, as well as discussions on aspects supporting the sector’s sustainability and enhancing its competitiveness.
The committee highlighted the inspection visit conducted by the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister to follow up on the King Hamad Highway afforestation project. The committee also commended the ministry’s signing of agreements allocating 12 agricultural plots to Bahraini farmers in Buri, as well as the private sector’s active contributions in supporting the afforestation campaign.
The committee also underscored that the tendering of the first phase of the Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah Highway Development Project represents an important step towards achieving a qualitative transformation for this vital highway, and the kingdom’s main road network in general.
The committee expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Works Ministry and the relevant authorities in advancing the strategic project. Upon completion, the first phase will expand the highway to four lanes in each direction, contributing to a 54 per cent reduction in travel time and a 95pc improvement in traffic flow along the 2km stretch between the Nuwaidrat intersection and Applied Science University.
The committee noted that the second phase is scheduled to be tendered in the first quarter of 2027 to complete the project. The project is expected to directly support the logistics sector and goods transportation movement, enhance commercial and economic activity, and facilitate mobility for road users.
The committee welcomed the launch by the SLRB and the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry of a package of advanced digital government services, as part of the government’s continuous efforts and accelerated steps towards comprehensive digital transformation across all services with the aim of simplifying procedures and delivering the best services to citizens.
The committee then moved on to discuss the topics listed on its agenda, reviewing the latest developments of the Manama waterfront development project and the efforts being made to enhance the area’s tourism and investment appeal.
The committee also reviewed the progress of the marine sand survey project (REMAAL).
The committee was also briefed on the results of monitoring agricultural changes using satellite imagery and artificial intelligence technologies as part of the co-operation between the SLRB and the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry.
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