Bahrain – Small Island, Big Ambitions

In order to overcome the challenge of limited development space, Dubai came up with the brainwave of creating a man-made island to create more beachfront. In 2001, this idea evolved in to The Palm Jumeriah, and the ‘The World’ collection of private islands followed soon after.

The island Kingdom of Bahrain (at 665-sq km is two thirds the size of County Louth) has been similarly affected by the scale of development that has taken place in the state over the past few decades. With a minimum of land available for development, property values have risen dramatically in recent years, and the island is now very much focused on diversifying the range of developments that take place in the coming years. It has also taken the opportunity to create its own version of the man-made island series.

Bahrain is considered to be the fastest growing economy in the Arab world, fastest growing financial centre in the world, and it is also considered to be the freest economy in the Middle East.

So, it should be no surprise that in recent years many multi nationals have chosen Bahrain as the location for their regional headquarters, bringing many experienced senior managers to the island. Foreign residents account for about 40 per cent of Bahrain’s 700,000 population.

Major projects currently on site in Bahrain include The Bahrain Financial Harbour (€900m), Durrat al Bahrain (A €2.1bn series of 15 man-made islands), Health Island Project (€700m)), Al Areen Resort (€750m) and Rifa Views (€300m).

One of the most exciting construction projects to be completed in the Gulf States this year is the 50-floor Bahrain-based World Trade Centre. This twin tower development, ironically for an oil rich state, has three giant wind turbines bridging the gap between the towers. It is the first skyscraper in the world to integrate wind turbines into its design.

Bahrain International Investment Park
Bahrain's jewel development mega project is the Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP) . This is being developed in the Hidd Industrial Area, and covers over 250 hectares with 25.5km of readily equipped infrastructure such as roads, street lighting, sewage systems, landscaping and desalination systems. BIIP offers 100 per cent foreign ownership of companies, zero per cent tax with a ten-year guarantee, special customs services and no recruitment restrictions.

At the end of September Bahrain's government approved a monorail train network to ease traffic flow on the island. The three-stage development plan is expected to be completed by 2030.

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