Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa chaired the 306th meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Development Projects and Infrastructure.
The committee commended the efforts of the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry in implementing extensive field campaigns through the municipalities of Muharraq, Northern and Southern governorates to remove encroachments, road and public parking obstructions, unauthorised street vendor stalls and advertising violations.
Shaikh Khalid directed the ministry to continue these efforts, which contribute to preserving the civilised and aesthetic appearance and enforcing regulations and laws.
The committee also noted the commencement of foundation pouring works for the project to construct 69 new housing units in Salman City, which forms part of the plan to build 137 new housing units in the city. The project is being implemented under the Government Land Development Rights Programme by the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry in partnership with the private sector.
The committee affirmed the government’s continued efforts to strengthen successful partnerships to accelerate the implementation of social housing projects.
It welcomed the launch of a package of advanced digital government services by the Survey and Land Registration Bureau, the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry, the Works Ministry and the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA). This comes as part of the government’s ongoing efforts and steady steps towards comprehensive digital transformation across all its services, with the aim of simplifying procedures and providing the best services to citizens efficiently and with ease.
The committee then reviewed the topics listed on its agenda, including the latest developments of the urban regeneration project in Muharraq and the ongoing implementation measures aimed at preserving the city’s historical and architectural identity.
It also reviewed a comprehensive presentation on building permit activity, application volumes and construction areas, which showed notable growth reflecting the accelerating approval and implementation of projects. Statistics indicated a 73 per cent increase in the number of applications submitted between May 2025 and May 2026, a 78pc rise in the number of permits issued, a 46pc increase in submitted applications, and a 30pc increase in the construction area covered by issued permits.
To keep pace with this significant urban growth and ensure the efficient provision of construction materials required for projects, the committee tasked the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry, in co-ordination with the Works Ministry, with monitoring and analysing building permit applications and permits on a regular basis and linking them to construction material quantities in support of future strategic planning for projects.
The committee also reviewed infrastructure projects required for large-scale housing masterplans according to priorities, to ensure the integration of essential services within them.
The committee further followed up on a presentation regarding the latest developments in the livestock sector and programmes supporting the enhancement of this vital sector.
It reviewed a detailed presentation on the efficiency of collection procedures at EWA and the mechanisms adopted to develop these procedures to ensure the sustainability and quality of services provided to subscribers.
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