Manama, Oct. 14 (BNA): Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, chaired the 318th meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Development Projects and Infrastructure.
The committee expressed gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for inaugurating the opening of the fifth session of the sixth legislative term of the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives. It commended the Royal Address for expressing satisfaction with and appreciation for the government’s role at this stage, under the follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The committee affirmed that the Royal Address sets out priorities for the executive and legislative branches to enhance cooperation and coordination in achieving the aspirations of the nation and its citizens.
The committee expressed appreciation to HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for the order to exceptionally allow citizens to register retroactively from May this year for the Electricity and Water Authority’s monthly fixed-bill system for their first homes. The order also provides for the full differences between bills issued during this period and the average monthly bill over the year to be credited to citizens’ accounts with the authority. This aims to help citizens manage their electricity and water bill commitments for their first homes and avoid fluctuations in bill amounts throughout the year.
The committee congratulated the Survey and Land Registration Bureau on obtaining the ISO 9001:2015 international quality management certification after meeting all internationally recognised standards and requirements in this field.
The committee also welcomed the opening of Al Casino Park in Muharraq by the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, following the completion of its renovation and facility upgrades. This forms part of efforts to develop Muharraq and improve its urban environment while preserving its historical and cultural identity and enhancing its public facilities and recreational spaces.
The committee commended the announcement of coordination between the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications and the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities to study connecting cultural destinations to the public transport network, developing sustainable cultural routes and coordinating transport solutions during cultural seasons and events.
The committee highlighted the Ministry of Works’ continued efforts to develop the road network, noting progress on the project to upgrade roads leading to Bahrain International Airport, particularly following the announcement of the start of works on Phase 3B. In a related development, the committee was briefed on the awarding of the tender for Package 4 of the Busaiteen Link project.
The committee commended the outcomes of the Kingdom of Bahrain hosting several ministerial committee meetings and Gulf consultative meetings in the environment, industry and trade sectors. It affirmed that these events reflect Bahrain’s commitment to strengthening joint Gulf Cooperation Council action and advancing cooperation and coordination among the GCC states towards greater integration.
The committee thanked everyone involved in the Made in GCC 2026 Forum and Exhibition for its success. It commended the agreements, partnerships, industrial expansions and initiatives announced at the event to boost exports and open new markets for GCC products.
The committee welcomed the development of a range of advanced digital government services by the Survey and Land Registration Bureau and the Supreme Council for Environment. This reflects the government’s continued efforts towards comprehensive digital transformation across all its services, with the aim of simplifying procedures and providing citizens with the best services efficiently and conveniently.
On the occasion of Bahraini Engineer’s Day, the committee congratulated the Bahrain Society of Engineers and all Bahraini engineers. It expressed pride in the central role played by national engineering talent in supporting development and prosperity, commending their contributions to strategic projects and the development of infrastructure, urban development and industrial sectors.
The committee then discussed the items on its agenda and reviewed progress on the Muharraq Development Project. Work continues on constructing and restoring housing units, developing infrastructure, main roads and internal pathways, and improving building façades, car parks, open spaces and green areas.
The committee noted significant progress in the project’s first phase, which includes the construction and restoration of 300 housing units across six neighbourhoods. The visitor centre and model unit have also been completed and furnished, along with several packages of housing units designed in a traditional architectural style. These works help preserve Muharraq’s historical and cultural identity while meeting residents’ needs.
The committee emphasised the importance of continued coordination and integration among the relevant entities to ensure that all components of the Muharraq Development Project are implemented according to approved schedules and technical standards. This will maintain a balance between infrastructure and service development and the preservation of Muharraq’s authentic urban fabric and historical and cultural heritage.
The committee also reviewed the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture’s efforts, in coordination with the relevant authorities, to regulate markets and protect public health, safety and property. These efforts include ongoing field campaigns to identify unlicensed informal markets and street vendors, and to address such cases in accordance with legal and administrative procedures.
The committee approved new design and regulatory standards for directional signs installed along main streets and roads to indicate entities and key locations. It tasked the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture with applying the standards to new applications, setting a deadline for existing signs to be renewed in line with the standards, and removing all unlicensed directional signs.
The committee then gave preliminary approval to the following proposals:
1. The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture may proceed with the necessary steps to amend certain provisions of Legislative Decree No. 2 of 1996 concerning the occupation of public roads.
2. Establishing procedures to regularise minor building violations in investment buildings, provided they do not affect structural safety or pose a risk to lives or property.
A.S, K.E