Prime Highlights
- Bahrain secured $510 million in IsDB financing for two infrastructure projects.
- Funding will support highway upgrades and industrial city expansion.
Key Facts
- The King Faisal Highway project received $180 million.
- The Salman Industrial City expansion secured $330 million.
Background
The Kingdom of Bahrain managed to get a loan of $510 million from IsDB, so it can push forward two key infrastructure undertakings. These are meant to boost transport connectivity and also raise the kingdom’s industrial capacity.
The agreements were inked in Baku, Azerbaijan, during the annual meetings of the Islamic Development Bank Group. The funding package includes $180 million for the King Faisal Highway Development Project and $330 million for the expansion of Salman Industrial City.
The highway project will focus on upgrading a 4.1-kilometre section between Al Farooq Junction and Al Fateh Junction. The proposed work includes the construction of three tunnels and one bridge, and the upgrading of road lanes. Other improvement works that are included in the project include improvements to the drainage system, street lighting and landscaping for better traffic movement.
Meanwhile, the Salman Industrial City Expansion Project will support the reclamation of approximately one million square metres of coastal land. Around 800,000 square metres of industrial plots will be developed and equipped with essential infrastructure.
The project scope includes the construction of internal road networks, water and sewerage systems, as well as high-voltage electricity substations to support future industrial activity.
Bahrain’s Ministry of Finance and National Economy said the projects form part of the country’s broader strategy to strengthen critical infrastructure and support long-term economic development. Officials noted that the investments are expected to enhance the competitiveness of Bahrain’s industrial and logistics sectors while creating a foundation for sustainable growth.
The agreements also reflect continued cooperation between Bahrain and the Islamic Development Bank in advancing large-scale development initiatives across key sectors.
