Manama: The Survey and Land Registration Bureau (SLRB) announced the signing of an agreement with Awtad Engineering and Surveying Office to survey and update property ownership maps in older areas, as part of efforts to advance digital transformation, develop digital infrastructure, and improve the quality and reliability of real estate and surveying data.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Bassem bin Yaqoub Al Hamar, President of the SLRB, emphasised that the project is a strategic step towards completing the development of Bahrain's real estate system by updating property data and linking it to the national coordinate system, to ensure that 100% of registered properties in the Kingdom are covered by maps and surveys in accordance with the latest approved standards.
He highlighted that the project will cover the surveying and updating of unsurveyed properties and the development of a more accurate, up-to-date and reliable national real estate database supporting government services, the real estate sector and relevant entities, while integrating property-related information.
The project will directly benefit citizens and property owners by updating property data, boundaries, dimensions, location and coordinates, and enabling the issuance of updated electronic ownership documents, thereby speeding up property-related services and reducing the time and effort required from beneficiaries.
Al Hamar said the project will be implemented in phases, beginning with field surveys and the updating of property data, converting property dimensions from feet to the metric system and linking them to the approved national coordinates. Property owners concerned will be invited to complete the registration procedures through the SLRB website after the survey work is completed in accordance with the implementation plan.
He added that the project will support urban planning and development and strategic projects, accelerate real estate procedures, and enhance the investment environment and transparency and confidence in the real estate sector by providing accurate, up-to-date and reliable information.
Al Hamar noted that the project is directly linked to the World Bank's Business Ready (B-READY) report, which includes indicators measuring the coverage of registered properties by cadastral maps and whether properties are covered by surveys and cadastral maps. He said achieving 100% up-to-date survey coverage would support Bahrain's readiness and competitiveness in international indicators related to land administration and the business environment.
The project also aligns with international frameworks for land administration and real estate data quality, including the Framework for Effective Land Administration (FELA) issued by the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM), reflecting the SLRB's efforts to follow international best practices and standards.
Al Hamar emphasised the importance of partnership with the private sector and benefiting from specialised expertise and capabilities in carrying out surveying work in accordance with approved standards and technical requirements. He said such partnerships support the implementation of strategic projects and improve the efficiency and quality of their outcomes, stressing the importance of cooperation with field teams by providing the required documents when necessary.
Waheed Hadi Al Bastaki, CEO of Awtad Engineering and Surveying Office, said the company valued its partnership with the SLRB and the confidence placed in it to contribute to the project. He affirmed the company's commitment to using its specialised expertise and capabilities, as well as the latest digital surveying technologies and geospatial systems, in accordance with the highest approved standards and technical requirements.