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Manama, September 27 (BNA) Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa affirmed that municipal services are progressing steadily to keep pace with the demographic and urban development witnessed by the Kingdom under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and thanks for following up on His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
He praised the national competencies responsible for managing, organizing and providing municipal services, pointing to their keenness to harness their expertise and technical, administrative and professional skills to improve the quality of services in a way that contributes to maintaining the advanced level of municipal service. The Kingdom as a supportive environment to achieve sustainable development and meet the needs of citizens.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure made statements during his visit today to the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture to see the progress of work and municipal projects.
His Highness, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure was received upon his arrival by Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak and a number of officials.
During the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed the importance of municipal initiatives and projects in promoting sustainable urban development, attracting investments, and developing municipal revenues.
The Deputy Prime Minister was briefed by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture on the most important projects implemented by the ministry during the current budget cycle, at a total cost of more than 32 million Bahraini dinars.
Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah praised the role played by the comprehensive municipal department of the ministry, which issues building permits for projects of all kinds, especially investment ones, through an advanced electronic system that enables engineering offices to submit and follow up requests for building permits. Paying service fees under one umbrella, appreciating the ministry’s efforts in implementing one of the most important policies of the government’s action plan with regard to adopting modern technologies and promoting the transition to electronic and digital services, which, along with other factors, contributed to the issuance of more than 1,100 building permits so far this year.
The Deputy Prime Minister indicated that the construction sector contributed 7.1% to the Kingdom’s GDP, according to the quarterly economic report for the second quarter of this year, adding that the sector grew by 2.6% at real prices, supported by a 1.6% increase in the regions. of building permits issued. He stressed that the sector witnessed a remarkable growth of 5.1% compared to the second quarter of 2021.
Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah also expressed his thanks to the real estate development companies that continue to provide the local market with more quality projects, which are licensed through the building permit system “Banayat”.
In this regard, Maher Al Shaer, General Manager of Eagle Hills Diyar, the developer of Marassi Al Bahrain project, briefed him on Marassi Terraces project, which is the largest residential project in terms of estimated cost. About BHD 13 million, a building permit was issued to them earlier this year.
On the sidelines of the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister inaugurated the developed website of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture, which allows its users to benefit from about 75% of municipal services electronically.
Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah attended the signing of an agreement to develop the “Seef Boulevard” project between the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture and Real Corp.
Under this agreement, the project, which covers an area of more than 6000 square meters, will be developed with a total investment value of BD 3.8 million over the 25-year contract period. It will serve as a pedestrian and environmental friendly tourist and commercial hub, as well as a leisure and dining destination.
He also witnessed the signing of a consultative agreement to restore the building of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture between the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and the Emaar Engineering Office.
Under the agreement, the two sides will prepare designs and supervise the restoration of the building to its original architectural features dating back to 1962 when it was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, then ruler of Bahrain.
The Deputy Prime Minister also attended the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture and the Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company (Edamah), the real estate arm of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, the sovereign wealth fund of Bahrain Real Estate Company. The kingdom.
The memorandum stipulates that the company will develop the projects of Ras Raya Port, the Lagos Coast, the Segaya Land and Tubli Port, by suggesting the best ways to invest in them to improve the services provided.
Edamah will study the market, propose investment opportunities in these projects, study their feasibility, and prepare tenders.
Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs, on behalf of all the Ministry’s employees, expressed its deep thanks and gratitude to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure for this visit, which reflects his keenness to follow up on progress and municipal services, as they are among the concerned authorities. Priorities of the Ministerial Committee for Development and Infrastructure Projects.
The Mubarak Minister also stressed in his speech that in light of the comprehensive development process carried out by His Majesty the King, and in line with the directives of the government led by His Highness the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture seeks to promote sustainable development. Urban development through an integrated system of projects, programs and services provided to the individual and society.
He said that the aim of these projects is to improve the level and quality of services, enhance urban development and support the national economy.
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