Bahrain’s industrial landscape getting a rapid makeover

Manama : The Industrial Areas Development Directorate part of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism is, with the support of GCC Funds, in the process of implementing a major project aiming to improve and develop the infrastructure of Salman Industrial City, formerly known as Al-Hidd Industrial Area.

The project, according to Director of Industrial Areas Development Directorate, Khaled Salman Al Qasimi, has commenced and is in the process of carrying out the first stage of the road network development. This will be followed by further road development and infrastructure as well as street lighting projects in 2018. Besides, the capacity of the Hidd Sewage Treatment Plant will be upgraded from 2,325 m3 / day to 6,500 m3 / day with a target completion date of late 2020. 

“The focus is on bringing added value projects with good quality jobs to further support the national economy, by providing high-quality facilities and services to industrial investors,” added Al Qasimi. 

In this regard, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, represented by the Industrial Areas Development Directorate, continuously seeks to develop infrastructure in industrial areas through coordination and cooperation with various government and private bodies and institutions, such as Ministry of Works, Municipal Affairs, Urban Planning and the Electricity and Water Authority to provide upgraded services to the industrial
investor.

More parking space

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Tourism said that it would take necessary measures to ensure the quality of the main roads serving the industrial zones as well as the current infrastructure in the Kingdom with the active cooperation of other service
providers. 

In the first stage, roads will be re-planned in the eight industrial zones to create proper parking areas for cars and trucks, which will be followed by projects to strengthen electricity and water services in the next phase by 2018. 

Water network 

The Ministry said it is currently undertaking several projects, including but not limited to the extension of the water network in the south-western part of the South Alba industrial area, in coordination with the Electricity and Water Authority. Approximately 50 industrial plots are expected to benefit from the project. According to the latest statistics, 96pc of industrial tenants benefit from electricity and water
services. 

Sewage treatment 

In the South Alba Industrial Area, works are progressing fast to increase the capacity of sewage treatment plant from 816 cubic meters per day to 2,500 cubic meters per day. The plant, designed to allow an overall capacity increase of up to 4000 cubic meters per day, is expecting completion in 2018. The project will be handed over to the Ministry of Works in
2020.

Investment Park

The initial phase of Bahrain International Investment Park is expected to finish by the beginning of 2018. The project includes reclaiming 630,000 m3 and associated infrastructure works in Salman Industrial City. The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism is currently preparing to host a number of international companies, most notably Mondelez Bahrain Biscuits W.L.L., formerly known as Kraft Food Company. 

MEED awards 

The development of the sewage network and the water treatment plant serving the industrial zones of Al-Ma’ameer and North Refinery have been completed. 

The project also included paving roads and lighting and replacing some main water lines in the two industrial zones. As a result of its adoption of high-quality, accurate and environmentally friendly technologies, it has won numerous awards in the Middle East, such as the MEED Quality Awards.