Khalifa City:Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, chaired the 317th meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Development Projects and Infrastructure, focusing on significant advancements in various sectors.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the committee praised the successful organization of the Innovation Summit in the Social Housing Sector 2026, which was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The event included the signing of a major partnership with Naseej to deliver 2,500 housing units in Khalifa City. Several other agreements were also finalized.
The committee emphasized the importance of panel discussions and workshops that offered recommendations for improving the social housing system, diversifying housing options, and increasing real estate stock. An accompanying exhibition, which attracted widespread participation from local and GCC entities, was also noted for its success. The committee commended the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, Eskan Bank, and other supporting bodies for organizing the event, which coincided with the fourth GCC Housing Week.
Furthermore, the committee highlighted the outcomes of Bahrain hosting various GCC meetings, reflecting the country's commitment to enhancing cooperation and integration among GCC nations. It also congratulated the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture on opening the "Istidama" Centre, a hub for sustainability, green economy, and carbon neutrality initiatives.
The committee acknowledged the Ministry of Works' launch of procedural guidelines for infrastructure project permits, developed in collaboration with the Information and eGovernment Authority. The introduction of the electronic "Tasareeh" system aims to expedite project completion and improve planning efficiency.
Steps to align future urban development with international standards were welcomed, including the Urban Planning and Development Authority's contract with a global consultancy to develop the Bahrain National Strategic Structure Plan 2050.
Discussions included preparations for the rainfall season, with plans to deploy field teams and equipment to manage rainwater effectively. The Deputy Prime Minister directed studies for permanent solutions to prevent water accumulation and ensure traffic flow.
The committee approved standard technical specifications for construction works, aiming to unify and modernize government project implementation. It also reviewed progress on the "Rimal" marine sand survey project and discussed enhancing energy efficiency at water production plants.
Concluding the meeting, the committee assessed periodic reports on service-level agreement performance indicators and the operational status of the electricity and water sectors. Additionally, feedback from the National Suggestions and Complaints System and Survey and Land Registration Bureau performance indicators for September were reviewed.