“Industrial sectors in the Kingdom of Bahrain are witnessing a remarkable development,” Dr Fakhro said.
Referring to Manara Developments Master Plan to be achieved through the Investment Gateway Bahrain project, which is the industrial investment zone being developed by the private sector, the Minister said he was optimistic about the positive results.
“By the end of December 2011, people have seen trends of cooperation between the public and private partnership through Manara’s launching of the two leading housing projects and today the company continues to strengthen this partnership though launching Investment Gateway – Bahrain thus delivering a solid contribution to the continuous development of industrial areas in the Kingdom,” the Minister explained.
The Minister of Industry and Commerce and a number of the ministry’s senior officials had visited the site next to Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Port in Hidd to meet Yousif Abdulla Taqi, Chairman of Amar Holding Company and Member of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Al Salam Bank Bahrain, alongwith Managing Director of Manara Developments Dr. Hassan Al Bastaki who gave a detailed explanation of the project and its development phases and the services, buildings and facilities which it will include.
“Investment Gateway – Bahrain provides a package of integrated solutions for light industry zones in Bahrain. That has been concluded after studying the existing industrial areas and exploring the needs of industrialists currently based in Bahrain, or overseers looking at Bahrain as a potential regional base, and compiling both scientific and practical studies in one area to provide a full range of services in one area,” Yousif Taqi, said.
“Investment Gateway Bahrain Project has unique features, being located in the area adjoining Salman Industrial Area near Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Port, in addition to its proximity to Bahrain International Airport and its link to a modern network of roads and flyovers connecting it to all areas of the Kingdom and due to having integrated services and facilities which will transform the place into an area of light industries and multi-purpose facilities.”
“Investment Gateway Bahrain Project is being built on a total area of 600,000 thousand square meters, and is being developed in phases of which land reclamation and levelling are expected to be concluded next March, and the design for infrastructure will be completed by the second quarter this year and its infrastructure works completed in the fourth quarter of 2013,” Dr. Hassan Al Bastaki, said.
“Investment Gateway Bahrain had invested a considerable amount of time to study the services and features that it will offer,” he said.
Dr. Al Bastaki explained that the project aimed at providing logistics services to light industries and warehousing. “It consists of offices with sea views, which is a first for the Bahrain. It also features multi-purposes showrooms, attached to stores, and provides all logistic services like chilled warehousing and such other services required for different industries.”
“The project also contains wholesale and retail services, such as businesses and showrooms, featuring all facilities and basic and luxury services, including sales outlets, coffee shops restaurants, a fuelling station, various stores and green areas, a sea view walking area, and everything required for an area of light industries and an accommodation. “
In addition to the workers’ living areas, the project contains accommodation for employees and supervisors, which is modern, practical and luxurious, suiting their senior positions. There will also be two hotels for businessmen and those wishing to pay short-term visits to Bahrain to attend exhibitions, conferences or other events, and its main advantage are that they will be in the heart of “Investment Gateway-Bahrain”, where all services and facilities are provided under-one-roof.
Dr. Al Bastaki said that amongst the main features which Manara Developments Company was keen to provide in this project as a qualitative addition to industrial areas is the extreme flexibility provided to sub-developers who will own the area, by being able to own areas required for their projects, instead of pre-fixed areas which do not suit their current and future requirements.