logo
Building Permits Surge : Reforms drive 4,299 permits in H1

Building Permits Surge : Reforms drive 4,299 permits in H1

Daily Tribune22-07-2025
Bahrain has recorded a sharp rise in building activity, issuing 4,299 permits during the first half of 2025—
an increase of 31.5% compared to the same period last year—according to His Excellency Wael bin
Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture.
H.E. the minister said the licensed construction area also surged by 57.9% to approximately 1.743
million square metres, reflecting Bahrain's investor-friendly climate and streamlined government
procedures.
Benayat boosts growth
The growth was driven by continued upgrades to the national building permit platform Benayat, which
has become a central tool for supporting investment, especially in real estate and urban development.
H.E. Al Mubarak said the system's expansion now includes permits for renovations, fencing, subdivision,
plot merging, change of land use, land reclamation (both land-based and marine), and new building
modifications. He credited the platform for improving transparency and speeding up approvals while
aligning services with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030.
Tech-enabled integration
Benayat serves as Bahrain's unified portal for building permits, offering engineering offices full digital
access to application submission, fee payment, project tracking, and site requirements via an interactive
national map.
The platform is fully integrated with the National Geographic Information System, which features more
than 300 geospatial data layers used by over 30 public and private agencies.
According to the minister, this digital transformation ensures faster approvals, more efficient urban
planning, and better coordination between government bodies, ultimately enhancing investor
experience and service quality.
Ongoing enhancements
The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture continues to enhance Benayat in coordination with
the Information & eGovernment Authority, under the oversight of the Ministerial Committee for
Development Projects and Infrastructure.
investment, and support sustainable urban expansion across the Kingdom.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bahrain's Oil and Environment Minister Praises Petroleum Engineers' Role in Advancing National Expertise
Bahrain's Oil and Environment Minister Praises Petroleum Engineers' Role in Advancing National Expertise

Daily Tribune

time2 days ago

  • Daily Tribune

Bahrain's Oil and Environment Minister Praises Petroleum Engineers' Role in Advancing National Expertise

Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment and Bahrain's Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, met with Eng. Abdullah Al-Zuwaidi, Chairman of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) – Bahrain Section, to discuss ongoing collaboration and support for the Kingdom's energy sector. During the meeting, the Minister commended the important role played by the society in developing national talent and providing advanced technical expertise to the oil and gas industry. He noted that the SPE's contributions are aligned with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, and help position the Kingdom as a regional hub for knowledge and technology in the energy sector. Dr. bin Daina reaffirmed the ministry's continued support for the society's events, initiatives, and programs, which foster stronger cooperation between government institutions and professional organizations, and contribute to enhancing the efficiency and technical skills of the industry's workforce. The two sides also reviewed the society's key achievements in 2024 and discussed upcoming scientific and professional events planned for the rest of the year. For his part, Eng. Al-Zuwaidi expressed gratitude for the Minister's ongoing support, emphasizing that it plays a vital role in strengthening the society's efforts and meeting the evolving needs of Bahrain's oil and gas sector.

BD156mln in new projects licensed across Bahrain in 2024
BD156mln in new projects licensed across Bahrain in 2024

Daily Tribune

time2 days ago

  • Daily Tribune

BD156mln in new projects licensed across Bahrain in 2024

Official figures show that BD156 million was invested in new projects across Bahrain last year. The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture granted licences for nine schemes in 2024, covering nearly 387,204 square metres throughout the kingdom. The largest sum went to the Capital Governorate, where a twin-tower residential block was licensed at BD54.454 million, the most costly housing project of the year. Residential site Another residential site of villas and flats was given the go-ahead for BD19.150 million. The National Bank of Kuwait is also set to build a new BD11.2 million branch in the capital, marking continued activity in both housing and banking. In education, St Christopher's School will open a new campus in the Southern Governorate, with a price tag of BD16.262 million. Private school The north will see a private school built at BD14.456 million. Industry was not left out. A new factory was licensed in the south, set at BD10.6 million. Muharraq saw approval for two mixed-use developments, one at BD14.191 million and another at BD9.6 million, each including homes and shops. Demand for family housing in the north has led to a further BD6.145 million residential compound. Growth According to the ministry, these projects are part of plans to keep growth steady across the kingdom and to make the process of investing more straightforward. New housing, schools, shops and factories all featured among the permissions granted last year. The ministry added that these developments tie in with Bahrain's economic plans, aimed at improving daily life and drawing new money to sectors that matter.

Benayat Gains Bigger Role : Workshop highlights platform's growing importance
Benayat Gains Bigger Role : Workshop highlights platform's growing importance

Daily Tribune

time3 days ago

  • Daily Tribune

Benayat Gains Bigger Role : Workshop highlights platform's growing importance

TDT | Manama The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture has stepped up its digital transformation push by expanding the scope and visibility of 'Benayat', Bahrain's national platform for building permit services. A recent workshop brought together developers, investors, and officials to highlight how the platform supports real estate growth through smarter, faster service delivery. Organised in coordination with the Information and eGovernment Authority and the Bahrain Real Estate Development Association, the event focused on raising awareness about regulatory and technical procedures for obtaining building permits via Benayat. Digital Expansion Undersecretary for Municipal Affairs, His Excellency Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, said the ministry continues to enhance user experience by adopting advanced digital systems that streamline services and speed up transactions. He described Benayat as one of the most important platforms driving improved service efficiency and quality. The workshop introduced attendees to the system's operational mechanisms and upcoming services, with a focus on improving engagement with clients, investors, and engineering offices. Sector Partnership Representatives from the Information and eGovernment Authority presented a detailed overview of Benayat's functions and services. These include permit types such as minor additions, renovation, fencing, property merging and splitting, and changes of use. Attendees were also introduced to the application tracking process and the platform's integrated interactive map of Bahrain. H.E. Eng. Aref Ahmed Hejres, Chairman of the Bahrain Real Estate Development Association, praised the ministry's role in streamlining processes and enhancing service quality. He highlighted the partnership between the ministry and the association as key to supporting and energising Bahrain's real estate and investment landscape. Integrated Platform Benayat is the unified platform for issuing building permits across all categories. It allows engineering offices and property owners to submit applications, pay fees, and review requirements through a digital map covering the entire kingdom. The system is supported by Bahrain's national geospatial database, which includes more than 300 spatial data layers serving over 30 government and private entities. This integration helps accelerate procedures, support planning, and improve service delivery while enhancing coordination among institutions to meet sustainable development goals.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store