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Bahrain and Qatar revive plans for landmark 40-kilometre causeway and sea link

Bahrain and Qatar revive plans for landmark 40-kilometre causeway and sea link

Daily Tribune05-06-2025
Bahrain and Qatar are pushing ahead with plans to build a long-awaited land bridge and a maritime route linking the two Gulf neighbours, after transport ministers met in Manama to go over details and agree on next steps.
The 40-kilometre causeway between Bahrain and Qatar, along with a proposed sea route, featured prominently in talks between Bahrain's Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, His Excellency Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and Qatari Transport Minister, H.E. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani, who arrived with a delegation on an official visit.
Discussions took place at the ministry's headquarters and centred on road, rail, port and air links.
The two sides also exchanged technical knowledge on transport projects and agreed to form working groups to see them through.
Cooperation
Shaikh Abdulla said Bahrain, under the direction of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the Cabinet led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, was keen to deepen cooperation with Qatar and build on current projects through Gulfwide efforts.
According to both ministers, improving physical links between the countries could ease the movement of goods, people and vehicles, while helping trade and investment flow more easily.
The bridge and sea link are expected to support joint work in tourism, logistics and industry, as well as open up jobs.
Schemes
Both sides want the schemes to run alongside the Gulf rail network, which is being built in stages and is due to be finished by 2030.
The Bahrain–Qatar plans were described as a key piece of that puzzle.
The two ministers agreed on the need for better infrastructure, logistics facilities and transport links.
Action
They said the focus now is on putting those plans into action with proper follow-up.
Shaikh Mohammed said Qatar values its ties with Bahrain and is looking to expand work across ports, transport and digital tools.
He added that shared development projects would bring benefits to people across the Arabian Gulf.
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