Latest news with #MunicipalitiesAffairsandAgriculture
Daily Tribune
21-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Tribune
HM King Honours Agriculture
TDT | Manama Top contributors to agricultural innovation were recognised during the fifth edition of the King Hamad Award for Agricultural Development, organised by the National Initiative for Agricultural Development. Held in the presence of royal family members, senior officials, and agricultural experts from Bahrain and abroad, the event celebrated achievements across production, sustainability, research, and support services. Among the attendees was H.E. Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, Secretary General of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, who highlighted the award's growing role in fostering innovation and environmental sustainability. Firms and farmers awarded H.E. Eng. Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, presented the awards. Al-Ameen Gardens Company received the 'Best Agricultural Production Project' honour for its advanced crop production methods supporting food security. Ghosn Al Bahrain Contracting Company won the 'Best Supporting Project for Agricultural Production' award for its water-saving smart irrigation systems. Two individuals, Mirza Hassan and Ali Ashour, were jointly named 'Best Bahraini Farmer', recognised for adopting modern techniques and maintaining high productivity. In the research category, Dr. Majid Al-Sayed Mohammed and Dr. Mohammed Naeem Sattar of King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia were honoured for their work on sustainable technologies and innovative environmental solutions. Tribute and legacy Veteran farmer Abdullnabi Taher was specially recognised for his consistent participation since the award's launch and the steady growth of his farm, earning him praise as a model of perseverance. Members of the award's judging committee were also acknowledged for their role in ensuring rigorous evaluation and encouraging continuous improvement in the sector. Following the ceremony, a scientific forum was held where winning researchers presented their studies to an audience of experts, academics, and practitioners. The session promoted knowledge-sharing and collaboration to strengthen sustainability in agriculture. The event concluded with a call to further advance the Kingdom's agricultural capacity through innovation and longterm vision.
Daily Tribune
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Beach upgrade set to begin between Al Malkiya arcade and restaurant
Construction is due to begin on part of Al Malkiya Beach, where a stretch of sand between a games arcade and a Lebanese restaurant will be turned into a public space with new toilets and service units near the main entrance. Two sites have been selected for the scheme, following discussions between the Northern Municipality and local residents. The plans were drawn up after Municipal Council member Zainab Al Durazi raised the matter with Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, His Excellency Wael Al Mubarak.
Daily Tribune
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Minister Al Mubarak Inspects Progress of Urban and Village Development Project in Southern Governorate
As part of Bahrain's ongoing efforts to enhance services for citizens, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, H.E. Eng. Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, visited Constituency Nine in the Southern Governorate to oversee the progress of the ambitious Urban and Village Development Project. During the visit, Minister Al Mubarak reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to maximizing resources and capabilities to ensure the project is executed efficiently and in line with strategic plans. He highlighted the project's key role in improving the quality of life for Bahraini families by upgrading infrastructure and municipal services. Accompanying the Minister on the site visit were MP Ali Saqr Al-Doseri, the elected representative of Constituency Nine; Mr. Abdullah Ibrahim Abdulatif, Chairman of the Southern Municipal Council; Eng. Mohammed Saad Al-Sahli, Acting Director-General of the Southern Municipality; Mr. Hamad Ali Al-Zoubi, the district's municipal council representative; and several officials from the Ministry. As part of the inspection, the delegation met with homeowners whose houses were either completed or under construction as part of the project. They discussed the progress of construction and renovation work and gathered feedback on facility needs and construction quality. Minister Al Mubarak praised the cooperation between the Southern Municipal Council and other local councils, noting that the project is managed by a specialized engineering team to ensure quality, speed, and responsiveness to citizens' needs. He emphasized that citizen satisfaction remains the primary benchmark for assessing service quality. MP Ali Saqr Al-Doseri lauded the project and the range of services it includes, such as renovation and maintenance. He affirmed the legislative authority's support and expressed appreciation for the Minister's visit, which he said reflected the government's keen interest in ensuring the delivery of top-tier services to the public.
Daily Tribune
08-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
New Halal checks in Bahrain aim to ensure sharia compliance and boost exports
New halal rules in Bahrain will see ministry inspectors test products and audit companies to ensure sharia compliance, as the kingdom moves to position itself as an export hub for certified goods. The plan includes a full set of legal and inspection measures, with Bahrain aiming to enter a growing global market for halal food and services. 'The Kingdom is building a thorough national system for halal production, shaped by international knowledge and sound practice,' said Minister if Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, His Excellency Wael Al Mubarak, in a written reply to MP Ahmed Sabah Al Salloom. 'This will open the door for Bahraini-made goods to reach wider markets.' Under Decision No. 61 of 2024, halal goods must meet Islamic rules from start to finish, across all stages of preparation and sale. They must also match Bahraini product standards, which draw on rules agreed across GCC states. 'These legal rules fit with the religious guidance issued by Bahrain's authorised bodies,' Al Mubarak said. System The Ministry has put in place a system to check that companies follow the rules. This includes site visits, sample testing, and checks on how products are made and moved. Inspectors from the Ministry will visit firms to see that each stage meets halal terms. Producers must have a halal certificate, issued by the Ministry or by a recognised body. They are also expected to carry out regular checks inside their own firms. 'These certificates are proof that the company has followed the rules we've set,' the minister said. Requests The Ministry also handles requests for halal checks and oversees the groups that do the work. Bodies that wish to issue halal certificates must be approved and must show they are up to the task. Article 6 of the same law spells out the duties of these groups, including making sure that those they endorse can do the work and work with the Ministry as needed. Rules Halal audit teams are tasked with checking that food and services meet the rules. Their job is to inspect, test, and follow up on firms to make sure they do what the law asks. The law also allows for measures to be taken against companies that fail to meet the terms. These include penalties laid out in Article 13 of Decision No. 76 of 2024. New online platform Work is in progress to set up a new online platform, the Bahrain Halal Platform, where people and companies can check whether a product is truly certified. 'We're building a central system where buyers can look up halal certificates and check if they were issued by a trusted source,' Al Mubarak said. Certified goods will carry an official mark along with a date or number for checking. Proof People can also ask sellers for proof or details of the certification process. Companies are expected to share this when asked. Bahrain is in talks with global halal groups and takes part in events where new standards are shaped. The aim is to ensure Bahraini rules match those used abroad, and that goods made here are accepted in places like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Europe and Australia. Training Inspectors and auditors are being trained in new methods and requirements. The Ministry is also looking at deals with accreditation centres in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Indonesia to share expertise and support future cooperation. 'We are working closely with Parliament to move this forward,' Al Mubarak added.
Zawya
05-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Bahrain: Eight new services launched to speed up building permits
Bahrain - Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak yesterday announced the launch of eight new services on the Benayat electronic building permit system ( It has been launched in co-operation with the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA), as part of efforts to enhance service efficiency and streamline procedures for investors and stakeholders. The new services include renovation, fencing, subdivision, merging, land and marine reclamation, change-of-use and modification permits for new buildings. These services support both investment and residential projects and are fully digitised, reducing processing times and the number of entities involved. The minister noted that the ongoing collaboration with iGA aims to enhance municipal services in Bahrain by simplifying procedures, improving efficiency and raising satisfaction among customers, investors and engineering offices. He added that the ministry continues to provide support and guidance to engineering offices, ensuring effective service delivery. The platform reflects the government's commitment to digital transformation across sectors, offering citizens and investors an efficient way to manage permit applications. The new services are also designed to increase procedural chief executive Mohammed Al Qaed commended the ministry's commitment to digital transformation, in line with government directives and the decisions of the ministerial committee for information and communication technology. He underlined the importance of the strategic partnership between the ministry and iGA in strengthening Bahrain's digital infrastructure, particularly in real estate and investment sectors. Mr Al Qaed noted that the new services deliver an integrated experience for engineering offices, property owners, government entities and developers. The fully digital process shortens permit issuance times and reduces the number of government entities involved, while improving user interfaces and enabling automated fee payments and permit issuance. Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
