Benayat to stimulate investment: AlQaed

Procuring new building permits in the Kingdom has now become easier than ever, thanks to the newly developed online portal ‘Benayat’. The portal, according to Mohamed Ali AlQaed, Chief Executive of Information & eGovernment Authority, ensures the “period of issuing a building permit is reduced to no more than 5 days in comparison to several months in the past”. “This was made possible by linking the system to the national geographic database (BSDI) which enables investors and engineering offices to instantly identify the requirements of their lands and in return help them in preparing the necessary drawings and documents,” AlQaed said.

The system, also the first government portal launched through the Cloud Computing System, is part of the bundle of initiatives launched recently by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad AlKhalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.

Launched during the 3rd Government Forum 2018 in October, the system enables significant transformation in the way building permits are issued allowing a faster, more convenient experience and continuity of operations with no interruptions. The first phase of Benayat – that has been launched - involves the issuance of new building permits for all types of real-estate projects which exceed an area of 50 square meters.

The upcoming phases shall include all other types of building related permits such as additions to existing buildings and demolishing. The system will also include the remaining processes in the building cycle such as the start of construction and service connectivity.