Latest news with #HassanIbrahimHassan
Daily Tribune
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
MPs sound alarm, demand action, as 25% rise in material costs delays housing projects
Twenty-five per cent price jumps in key construction materials have triggered fresh warnings from MPs and property developers, who say shortages are already stalling housing projects and pushing affordable homes further out of reach. They have called for a 10-year plan focused on steady supply lines, more factory output at home, better offloading infrastructure, and short-term relief for builders struggling to keep costs in check. Among their main concerns are schemes such as 'Mazaya' and 'Land and Loan', which rely on reliable supplies and stable pricing to remain within reach of ordinary buyers. Growing pressure MP Hassan Ibrahim Hassan pointed to growing pressure across government-backed developments, which depend on a constant flow of steel, cement and other materials. A break in the chain, he said, sets off delays across the board. He noted that while several Bahraini companies own the barges used to bring in materials, many were leased abroad on high-paying deals, leaving fewer resources at home. Basic inputs As a result, private firms working on ministry projects are now struggling to source basic inputs. He warned that the cost of public tenders has already climbed due to these shortfalls. With Bahrain needing up to 11 million tonnes of imported material each year, the latest shipments will not last long, perhaps a month. Domestic projects Meanwhile, suppliers in neighbouring countries are stretched by large domestic projects of their own and have little left to send. To keep home prices stable, Hassan said, attention should turn to helping low-income families who rely on subsidised housing schemes. He suggested building more berths to speed up deliveries and ease delays. MP Jalila Al Sayed said higher prices were making it harder for families to benefit from statebacked loans. With the cost of raw materials rising, so too are house prices. Good terms That, she said, risks putting units beyond reach and may cause developers to hesitate before offering homes on good terms. Shortages have already held up work across housing and infrastructure, especially where deliveries of concrete and iron have slowed. She said this could also weigh on hiring in the building trade. She called for Bahrain to cast a wider net when importing materials, avoiding too much reliance on one or two countries. Homegrown production More homegrown production of cement and blocks would help too. To keep the market steady, she proposed tax breaks and perks for firms willing to hold their prices, more warehouse space for storage, and tighter checks on resale prices. Builders who avoid passing costs on to buyers, she added, should be offered better financing terms. Jasim Mohammed Kadhem, head of Dar Al Sultan Real Estate, said price rises were affecting everyone involved, from developers to end users. He explained that building costs are not worked out by volume but per house, based on how much sand, concrete and steel each one needs. Sign Prices have shot up in recent months and there is no sign of them coming down. Kadhem pointed to concrete as one of the most affected materials. Where it used to cost BD25 to BD27 per square metre, it now goes for around BD34, a jump of roughly a quarter. He said this made it harder to plan budgets, especially when suppliers varied so widely in pricing. A load of sand now runs to about BD85. Steel is close to BD239 per tonne, although that shifts with global rates. A single 8-inch block costs 264 fils. Cement bags sell for BD1.6, while tying wire comes in at around BD2.5. Contractors and shopkeepers say materials are in stock for now, and the shortages seen earlier this year were linked to rising demand in nearby countries.
Daily Tribune
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
MP picked for global youth parliament role
MP Hassan Ibrahim Hassan has been picked to represent the Arab Group on the Inter-Parliamentary Union's Young Parliamentarians' Bureau. His appointment was confirmed by the Union's Governing Council after Arab members backed his nomination during the 150th General Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Speaking after the decision, the MP said it showed how Bahrain's parliamentary work and its younger voices are being heard abroad. He credited the backing of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who he called the strongest supporter of young Bahrainis.
Daily Tribune
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain's Parliamentary Delegation Attends IPU Virtual Workshop on Legislative Development
Email : A delegation from the Kingdom of Bahrain's parliamentary division participated in a virtual workshop titled "Passengers or Pilots: Are Parliaments Driving Their Own Development?" organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in collaboration with AGORA Portal for Parliamentary Development. The event aimed to review developments in legislative work and discuss how parliaments can benefit from shared experiences and initiatives that support democratic advancement. The delegation included Dalal Jassim Al Zayed, Chairperson of the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee in the Shura Council and Member of the IPU Committee to Promote Respect for International Humanitarian Law, along with MP Hassan Ibrahim Hassan and MP Dr. Mahdi Abdulaziz Al Showaikh.
