logo
Bahrain: Eight new services launched to speed up building permits

Bahrain: Eight new services launched to speed up building permits

Zawya05-05-2025

Bahrain - Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak yesterday announced the launch of eight new services on the Benayat electronic building permit system (www.benayat.bh).
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 transparency.iGA 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. (Syndigate.info).

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bahrain: Ministry signs deal with Edamah to develop Manama Central Market site
Bahrain: Ministry signs deal with Edamah to develop Manama Central Market site

Zawya

time12-06-2025

  • Zawya

Bahrain: Ministry signs deal with Edamah to develop Manama Central Market site

Bahrain - The Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company (Edamah), the real estate arm of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, to develop the Manama Central Market site. The MoU was signed by Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak and Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, CEO of Mumtalakat and chairman of Edamah. The MoU aims to conduct a detailed study to maximise the site's investment and commercial potential, leveraging its strategic location in the centre of Manama. This partnership supports the ministry's goal to better manage its real estate assets, enhance financial returns, and contribute to sustainable urban development and economic growth. Officials highlighted Edamah's expertise in development and investment as key to realising the site's potential, creating promising opportunities that align with Bahrain's broader development plans. Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (

Turkish Airlines' historic move to IGA ushers in a new era of aviation excellence
Turkish Airlines' historic move to IGA ushers in a new era of aviation excellence

Khaleej Times

time12-06-2025

  • Khaleej Times

Turkish Airlines' historic move to IGA ushers in a new era of aviation excellence

When Turkish Airlines completed the largest airport relocation in aviation history in just 33 hours, the world took notice. But what followed was even more extraordinary. The move from Atatürk Airport to the newly-built Istanbul Airport (IGA) — a state-of-the-art mega hub built under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model was more than a logistical feat. It marked the beginning of a transformative era for Turkish Airlines, one that would elevate its global standing and redefine operational excellence. 'We didn't just change airports; we changed the future of our airline,' says Erol Senol, Vice-President of Sales (Middle East & Cyprus) at Turkish Airlines to Khaleej Times in Istanbul. 'The move to IGA has been instrumental in helping us achieve ambitious growth, unlock operational potential, and enhance the overall passenger experience.' A Strategic Leap Forward For years, Turkish Airlines had been constrained by the limitations of Atatürk Airport. Overcrowding, limited runway capacity, and mounting congestion were beginning to clash with the airline's global growth ambitions. The solution arrived in the form of Istanbul Airport — a next-generation aviation hub, developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and operated by IGA (Istanbul Grand Airport). Strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Istanbul Airport has emerged as one of the world's most influential air gateways since its inauguration in 2018. With a projected capacity of over 200 million passengers annually upon completion of all phases, the airport currently serves over 100 airlines flying to more than 300 destinations worldwide. Its current infrastructure, spanning three operational runways and a massive terminal with a 90-million-passenger capacity has dramatically elevated Turkish Airlines' capabilities. 'Approximately 80% of IGA's capacity is dedicated to Turkish Airlines,' explains Senol. 'This gives us the flexibility and infrastructure to scale rapidly, handle more aircraft movements, and serve more destinations than ever before.' The numbers tell the story. Aircraft movement capacity has surged from 70 per hour at Atatürk Airport to 120 per hour at IGA, thanks to the addition of a third runway. Waiting times for aircraft have dropped from 5% to less than 1%, drastically improving fuel efficiency and on-time performance. Turkish Airlines has also taken full advantage of expanded ground facilities, doubling the size of its CIP lounges, enlarging check-in zones, and enhancing passenger flow through better boarding infrastructure. Powering Passenger Experience At the heart of Istanbul Airport's success is its digital-first strategy. From AI-powered customer service tools and biometric boarding to contactless check-in and real-time decision-making at its Airport Operations Centre (APOC), IGA is redefining the airport experience. The facility leverages big data analytics and location-based services to optimize everything from baggage handling to air traffic flow. This technological backbone has been a game-changer for Turkish Airlines. 'The seamless integration of our operations with IGA's smart infrastructure allows us to offer a world-class, efficient, and stress-free travel experience,' says Senol. 'It's not just about moving passengers. It's about moving them smartly.' The Cargo Boom Beyond passengers, Turkish Airlines has seen explosive growth in cargo operations since the move. Cargo capacity has more than doubled from 1.2 million tonnes at Atatürk Airport to 2.5 million tonnes at IGA, with future projections reaching 5 to 6 million tonnes annually. Central to this surge is SmartIST, Turkish Airlines' proprietary next-generation cargo facility. 'We designed SmartIST ourselves to match the speed and sophistication required by global logistics standards,' Senol notes. 'As a result, we've climbed from 9th to 3rd in IATA's global cargo traffic rankings as of 2025.' SmartIST is now recognised as one of Europe's most advanced cargo terminals, incorporating automation, robotics, and real-time tracking technologies to optimize throughput and reliability. Overcoming Aviation's Greatest Operational Challenge The transition itself from Atatürk to IGA remains one of the most complex and flawlessly executed operations in aviation history. The 46-kilometre move involved 1,056 trucks transporting over 47,000 tonnes of equipment, executed in under 33 hours without a single workplace accident or significant service disruption. 'We had to shut down operations at Atatürk and go live at IGA overnight,' recalls Senol. 'Any misstep could have triggered massive disruptions. But through rigorous simulations, weather contingency plans, and pre-positioned response teams, we pulled off what many thought was impossible.' Independent Growth in a PPP Giant While IGA's core airport infrastructure — runways, terminals, and control towers was financed under the PPP framework, Turkish Airlines made a deliberate choice to independently invest in its own support facilities. These include SmartIST, custom-built lounges, upgraded check-in areas, crew facilities, and a dedicated ground services ecosystem. 'This strategic independence allowed us to tailor every aspect of our operations to our standards,' Senol explains. 'It ensures flexibility, brand consistency, and long-term cost-efficiency.' This infrastructure, fully aligned with Turkish Airlines' operational vision, is designed not just for current demands but also for future scalability as the airline expands its global footprint. Fleet Strategy Today, Turkish Airlines operates a fleet of 481 aircraft —134 wide-body and 347 narrow-body jets divided between 201 Boeing and 280 Airbus models. Looking ahead, the airline has already placed orders for 355 new aircraft: 250 A321 Neos and 105 A350s. 'We're still in talks with Boeing, but we're approaching procurement with a balanced strategy,' Senol says. 'Our mixed-fleet model allows us to deploy the right aircraft on the right routes.' This flexibility is key to Turkish Airlines' growth model. Istanbul's geographic advantage means the airline can access 78 cities in 41 countries within three hours, and over 140 cities within five. This unique proximity to global centers empowers Turkish Airlines to offer high-frequency, cost-efficient services across continents. Unlocking IGA's Full Potential Despite remarkable progress, Turkish Airlines is far from finished. Istanbul Airport is expected to reach full capacity by 2028, and Turkish Airlines is gearing up accordingly. By 2033, the airline plans to operate a fleet of 813 aircraft, fly to 400 destinations, and serve 171 million passengers annually, generating an estimated $52 billion in revenue. 'With the synergy between Turkish Airlines and IGA, we're ready to double our capacity,' says Senol. 'We're expanding our footprint in underserved markets and reinforcing our presence in strategic regions.' Secondary cities in Europe, growing African economies, and emerging Asian hubs are all on the radar. By deploying smaller aircraft with higher frequency, Turkish Airlines is increasing accessibility while maintaining efficiency. Already serving 353 destinations in 131 countries including 53 domestic and 300 international stops —Turkish Airlines continues to grow its global map. New destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Tripoli, Benghazi, Denver, Santiago, and Damascus, with upcoming routes targeting Seville and Cambodia. 'Our goal is simple: to connect more places more effectively,' Senol explains. 'It's about responding to demand, entering new markets, and enhancing existing partnerships and hubs.' Lounge network expansions and strategic codeshare agreements are also on the horizon as part of Turkish Airlines' strategy to enhance customer experience across all touchpoints. From smashing records in cargo and passenger numbers to embracing cutting-edge technology and gaining more autonomy in operations, the airline is shaping the future of global travel. 'Our network now reaches more countries than any other airline in the world,' says Senol with pride. 'It's something we've even secured a Guinness World Record for.'

Bahrain non-oil exports rise 22% to $896mln in April
Bahrain non-oil exports rise 22% to $896mln in April

Zawya

time28-05-2025

  • Zawya

Bahrain non-oil exports rise 22% to $896mln in April

The total value of Bahrain's non-oil exports (national origin) increased by 22% to BD338 million ($896.59 million) during April 2025, compared to BD277 million for same month in 2024. The value of Bahrain's non-oil imports increased by 20% reaching BD575 million in April 2025 in comparison with BD481 million for same month in 2024. The top 10 countries for imports recorded 68% of the total value of imports, said Information & eGovernment Authority's (iGA) April 2025 Foreign Trade report. According to the report, China ranked first for imports to Bahrain, with a total of BD64 million (11%), followed by Australia with BD55 million (10%) and the UAE with BD49 million (9%). Non-agglomerated iron ores and concentrates recorded as the top product imported to Bahrain with a total value of BD67 million (12%), followed by other aluminum oxide with BD51 million (9%) and jewellery of gold being the third with BD36 million (6%). EXPORTS The top 10 countries in exports (National Origin) accounted for 71% of the exports (National Origin) value. Saudi Arabia ranked first among countries for then non-oil exports (National Origin) with BD81 million (24%). The US was second with BD35 million (10%) and UAE was third with BD32 million (9%). Unwrought aluminum alloys recorded as the top products exported in April 2025 with BD105 million (31%), followed by agglomerated iron ores and concentrates alloyed with a value of BD54 million (16%) and aluminum wire not alloyed with BD18 million (5%). The total value of non-oil re-exports decreased by 9% to reach BD71 million during April 2025, compared to BD78 million for same month in 2024. The top 10 countries in re-exports accounted for 86% of the re-exported value. The UAE ranked first with BD30 million (42%) followed by Saudi Arabia with BD18 million (25%) and Luxemburg with BD5 million (7%). As per the report, turbo-jets was the top product re-exported from Bahrain with a value of BD7.2 million (10.1%), followed by four-wheel drive BD7 million (9.9%), and gold ingots came third with BD6 million (8%). As for the trade balance, which represents the difference between exports and imports, Bahrain recorded a deficit of BD166 million in April 2025 compared to a deficit of BD126 million in April 2024. - TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (

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