meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Bahrain industrial strategy aligns with GCC goals

19 December 2023

 

Register for MEED's guest programme 

With limited energy resources and land compared with its larger neighbours, Bahrain needs a targeted industrial strategy that supports economic development across the region and plays to the island kingdom’s strengths. 

“We look to complement the GCC rather than compete,” says Industry and Commerce Minister Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro. 

“We always look for industries where we can fit in each other’s supply chains so that we can substitute imports from outside of the GCC with products from within the GCC.”

The ministry has a strategy for each of its key sectors, with most starting in 2022 and typically running for four years. The strategies encompass industry, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and digital businesses. Targets include increasing contribution to overall GDP.

Target sectors

Bahrain’s industrial strategy covers five main target sectors.

“Downstream aluminium is very important because we have Alba [Aluminium Bahrain], which is the largest single-site smelter outside of China and continues to expand and grow production,” says Fakhro. 

“We have a new downstream aluminium park to the south of Alba, and the big advantage for companies there is they can buy hot metal.

“We also provide other incentives, such as low-cost land and energy, and provide support with the purchase of equipment. 

“Through the labour fund Tamkeen we can help with the workforce.”

There are also plans to expand Alba with the Line 7 project. Last year, a firm was appointed to complete the feasibility study for the project, which is expected to have a similar production capacity to the Line 6 expansion project – within the range of 540,000 metric tonnes a year.

Petrochemicals is another major industry for Bahrain.

“We have a presence in that sector with Bapco Energies and GPIC [Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company]. They are major producers, so downstream petrochemicals is another opportunity,” says Fakhro. 

Like aluminium, there will be a significant increase in capacity in the near future as the $7bn Bapco Modernisation Programme (BMP), which involves boosting the total throughput at the Sitra refinery to 400,000 barrels a day (b/d) of oil, enters the final stages.

The other three industrial sectors are food manufacturing, medicine production and new sectors including semiconductors and the production of components for use in renewable energies. 

In-country value

To support local industries, Bahrain is establishing an in-country value system that determines a supplier’s local content, similar to those implemented in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

“Companies with a good in-country value score get a 10 per cent advantage on government tenders,” says Fakhro. 

Bahrain is also working with other GCC states to create an in-GCC programme. “What we are trying to do with this is jointly recognise other countries’ [in-country] value. This means a product produced in Bahrain would get an advantage in another market, such as Saudi Arabia or the UAE,” says Fakhro.

“Likewise, a GCC employee would be equivalent to hiring a local employee. We are looking at different ways to become one market.”

These programmes are still being negotiated, with discussions at the GCC currently centred on determining what constitutes a GCC product.

“That is the start. When we have a clear definition of what a GCC product is, then we can open the doors,” says Fakhro.

As a small country with a long history of being a trading hub, Bahrain is keen to access larger markets. Hence its industrial strategy is outward-looking. As well as working on a GCC-wide in-county value system, there have been several other key developments in recent years.

“We have a very interesting project funded by [Abu Dhabi-based holding company] ADQ. It has four countries: the UAE, Egypt, Bahrain and Jordan. This group of countries came together soon after the Covid-19 pandemic to complete each other’s supply chain,” says Fakhro. 

Known as the Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development, ADQ has backed the partnership with $10bn of investment. Its target sectors are agriculture, food, fertilisers, medicines, textiles and apparel, metals, petrochemicals and plastic.

We have a highly skilled workforce that is well-educated with a strong work ethic

Other focus areas

Semiconductors are of particular interest to Bahrain and the country hopes to play an active role in this sector. 

“We are interested in that sector. The world realised that this sector will be critical in the future, and there needs to be manufacturing in other parts of the world so that one nation does not have a monopoly. 

“The sector suits Bahrain because it does not require a lot of energy or land,” says Fakhro. 

“Bahrain’s big asset is its people. We have a highly skilled workforce that is well-educated with a strong work ethic. This attracts all types of businesses in many sectors, especially in advanced manufacturing and the ICT sector,” says Fakhro.

Another important area of focus for the ministry is supporting SMEs and local startups.

“We are working hard to improve the ecosystem for SMEs,” says Fakhro. “The major challenge for SMEs is access to financing. This is not only in Bahrain; it is a worldwide challenge. Bahrain is home to over 300 multinational banks, but still, that doesn’t by default mean that SMEs have easy access to money.”  

The other challenge is access to international markets. “Especially when you look at sectors such as manufacturing, Bahrain will give you limited growth potential. We support SMEs with exports. We have a government-owned entity, Export Bahrain, that facilitates export support for Bahraini companies, including SMEs.”

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/11372518/main.gif
Colin Foreman

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Kuwait receives bids for Al-Khairan phase one IWPP

    2 June 2026

     

    Two developer consortiums have submitted bids for the first phase of Kuwait’s Al-Khairan independent water and power producer (IWPP) project, according to a source.

    Bids were received by the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (Kapp) on 1 June.

    The facility will have a capacity of 1,800MW and 150,000 cubic metres a day of desalinated water. It will be located in Al-Khairan, adjacent to the Al-Zour South thermal plant. 

    The bidders include:

    • Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) / A H Al-Sagar & Brothers (Saudi Arabia) 
    • Acwa (Saudi Arabia) / Gulf Investment Corporation (Kuwait)

    The Al-Khairan IWPP is being procured by Kapp in partnership with the Ministry of Electricity, Water & Renewable Energy (MEWRE).

    The main contract was tendered last September. Three consortiums and two individual companies were previously prequalified to participate in the tender.

    Ernst & Young, BNP Paribas, AtkinsRealis and Addleshaw Goddard are financial advisers on the project. Chadbourne & Parke is acting as legal adviser.

    The winning bidder will sign a set of public-private partnership agreements covering financing, design, construction, operation and transfer of the project. The energy conversion and water-purchase agreement is expected to cover a 25-year supply period.

    Future phases

    The Al-Khairan IWPP project is expected to run on low-sulphur fuel oil as the primary fuel and to accommodate crude oil, gas oil and natural gas as backup fuels. Future phases will further expand capacity.

    It is understood that the estimated $750m second phase of the Al-Khairan IWPP project will add a further 1,800MW of generation capacity through a combined-cycle gas-fired power plant.

    The project, first mooted over a decade ago, remains in the early development stages, with no plans currently to advance to procurement in 2026, a source said.

    According to the source, the immediate focus is on advancing plans for the 3,600MW Nuwaiseeb power and water desalination IWPP project.

    The Nuwaiseeb IWPP plant will have a desalination capacity of 75 million imperial gallons a day.

    Kapp plans to release a transaction advisory tender for the project by the end of the year.

    > Be recognised among the best in the industry at the MEED Projects Awards 2026 …

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17072685/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Doosan confirms Saudi Jafurah 2 cogen contract

    2 June 2026

    South Korea’s Doosan Enerbility has confirmed it has signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract worth about $556m for the second phase of the Jafurah combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Saudi Arabia.

    The project is being developed by Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) in partnership with Saudi Aramco.

    Doosan said the contract covers design, equipment supply, installation, construction and commissioning of the facility.

    The Jafurah CHP phase 2 project will be built near the Jafurah gas field, about 400 kilometres east of Riyadh. Once operational, it will generate 330MW of electricity and produce 465 tonnes of steam an hour for the nearby gas field.

    According to the firm, the project’s main steam turbine will be supplied by Doosan Skoda Power, a subsidiary of Doosan Enerbility.

    WSP is acting as the project management consultant for the project, which is scheduled for completion in 2029.

    The Jafurah gas development is part of Aramco’s $3.2bn unconventional resources programme, which aims to develop shale gas in three areas. Jafurah lies southeast of Ghawar, the world’s largest conventional oil field.

    The programme is part of Riyadh’s plans under Vision 20230 to ensure the kingdom remains self-sufficient in gas supply amid rising demand from the residential and industrial power sectors.

    Jafurah phase one

    In February 2025, MEED exclusively reported that talks were under way to expand the capacity of the $500m Jafurah cogeneration independent steam and power plant (ISPP).

    Construction works were completed on the facility last November.

    At the time of its procurement, the plant’s first phase was to have a power capacity of 270-320MW, and a low-pressure (LP) steam demand of 77-166 thousand pounds an hour (klb/hr) and high-pressure (HP) steam demand of 29-126 klb/hour by 2023.

    The LP and HP steam demand will increase to 283-373 klb/hr and 66-321 klb/hr by 2027, respectively.

    The oil giant issued the letter of award to Kepco for the contract to develop the Jafurah ISPP scheme in July 2022.

    Kepco subsequently awarded South Korea’s Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction the project’s EPC contract.

    US/India-based Synergy Consulting provided financial advisory services to Kepco on its bid.

    Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) served as the client’s financial adviser for the project. Germany’s Fichtner Consulting Engineers is technical consultant, while the UK’s Wood Group is project management consultant.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17072199/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Al-Mabanee submits lowest bids for Kuwait infrastructure

    2 June 2026

    Kuwait’s Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) has opened commercial bids for two major infrastructure and public buildings packages at South Al-Mutlaa Residential City.

    Local firm Al-Mabanee United Company has emerged as the lowest bidder for both contracts, submitting combined offers worth KD44m. Both packages entail the construction, completion and maintenance of services, infrastructure works and public buildings for different district centres within the city.

    The first contract covers the infrastructure and public buildings for the N3 District Centre. PAHW received proposals from eight bidders, with Al-Mabanee United Company submitting the lowest price at KD20.9m. The second-lowest offer was submitted by The Contractor General Trading & Contracting Company at KD22.4m, followed by Golden Engineering Group for General Trading & Contracting at KD22.7m, though Golden Engineering Group was flagged for not providing a bid bond.

    Al-Khonaini General Trading & Contracting Company, operating as Inshat Al-Khonaini, ranked fourth with a bid of KD22.7m, followed closely by Kuwait Industrial Centre Company at KD22.8m. Combined Group Contracting Company submitted a bid of KD23.8m, Al-Dar Engineering & Construction Company bid KD25.7m, and China’s Sichuan Road & Bridge Group Corporation submitted the highest active proposal at KD29m. 

    The second contract is for identical infrastructure and public building works at the N1 District Centre. Al-Mabanee United Company submitted the lowest bid of KD22.8m. Its closest competitor was The Contractor General Trading & Contracting Company, which submitted an offer of KD23.9m.

    Al-Khonaini General Trading & Contracting Company came in third with a bid of KD24.2m, followed by Kuwait Industrial Centre Company at KD24.4m and Golden Engineering Group for General Trading & Contracting at KD24.4m. Combined Group Contracting Company placed a bid of KD26m, Al-Dar Engineering & Construction Company bid KD26.5m, and United Construction Company, known as Al-Inshat Al-Muttahida, submitted an offer of KD 30.9m. Al-Ghanim International General Trading & Contracting filed the highest bid at KD344m and was also noted for lacking a bid bond.

    South Mutlaa Residential City is a large-scale planned development designed to accommodate around 400,000 residents in a modern, fully serviced urban environment. Once completed, it will offer contemporary housing alongside extensive logistical services and a wide range of public and commercial areas, including hospitals, schools and other social services.

    The project also includes major infrastructure works such as approximately 150 kilometres of roads and related structures, lighting and other public works, as well as integrated systems for water distribution, rainwater collection and sewage. In addition, it will provide the civil infrastructure needed for electricity distribution, telecommunications networks and traffic control to support a well-connected, functional city.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17071938/main.gif
    Colin Foreman
  • Local developer secures finance for three Riyadh projects

    2 June 2026

    Qimam Noshoz for Real Estate Development Company, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Banan Real Estate Company, has signed a sharia-compliant credit facility agreement worth SR84m ($22.4m) with Riyad Bank to fund three commercial, hospitality and sports developments in the kingdom.

    The financing agreement is split into two distinct tranches to align with the projects’ development timelines. The first tranche consists of SR49m with a maturity duration of seven years, while the remaining SR35m has been secured for an eight-year term.

    Qimam Noshoz will utilise the capital to fund construction works for the Al-Rahmaniyah Gem and Al-Wadi District Gem projects. Both of these projects are already leased to the fitness operator Armah Sports Company. The other project is an independent hotel located within the Al-Wadi District.

    The Al-Wadi development is designed as an integrated commercial complex spanning approximately 7,818.5 square metres of land, with a built-up area of about 975 square metres. It includes a men’s gym, a women’s gym and a hotel building.

    The Al-Rahmaniyah project is an integrated commercial development combining fitness facilities with retail. The asset features men’s and women’s gyms operating alongside an independent commercial zone.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17071628/main.jpg
    Colin Foreman
  • SLB wins $385m contract for Kuwait oil research centre

    2 June 2026

    Schlumberger Oilfield Eastern, a unit of the US-headquartered oilfield services company SLB, has been awarded a KD118m ($385m) contract to develop an oil and gas research centre in Kuwait.

    The contract was awarded by the state-owned upstream operator Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), according to a report by Kuwait’s Al-Rai newspaper.

    The Ahmadi Innovation Valley (AIV) project is planned as an advanced research and innovation hub equipped with specialised facilities and technical teams focused on applied research for Kuwait’s oil and gas sector.

    The contract was awarded after the Higher Purchase Committee (HPC) of Kuwait’s national oil and gas company Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) determined the bid to be compliant with the project’s technical and commercial requirements.

    In February 2025, KOC signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with five international oilfield service companies to support the development of the AIV initiative.

    These companies were:

    • SLB (US)
    • Baker Hughes (US)
    • Weatherford (US)
    • Halliburton (US)
    • National Energy Services Reunited (US)

    Under the preliminary agreements, each of the five companies agreed to establish a world-class research and development centre at the project site, focused on helping KOC meet challenges in the upstream sector.

    KOC’s CEO Ahmad Jaber Al-Eidan had said in February 2025 that the project will enable Kuwait to keep pace with global transformations while investing in advanced technologies to ensure the sector’s sustainability and achieve operational excellence.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17063475/main.gif
    Wil Crisp