The Manama Souq Development Committee Holds Its Fourth Meeting

Press release

Published January 3rd, 2019 - 05:48 GMT

During the event

Headed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), H.E. Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, the fourth Manama Souq Development Committee meeting was held on Wednesday, 2nd of January 2019 at the Bahrain International Exhibitions and Convention Center.

During the meeting, several topics were discussed regarding the revitalization of the old Manama Souq, including dedicating street passages designated to pedestrians and shoppers and easing access to the area for cars in coordination with the Ministry of Works, Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning. In addition, the new applications of the façade and signage program, aimed to upgrade the facades and signage of the old Manama Souq were reviewed. More than 70 shops in the old Manama Souq have been approved for façade maintenance, where the old signage have been replaced with a higher standard according to the outlined design guidelines within the areas defined in the master plan set by the Committee, established in order to enhance visitors' experience. Applications received by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority (BTEA) in process of finalizing them with Tamkeen, who will be financing the cost of the project by 50%.

The Manama Souq Development Committee comprises of representatives from the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, Urban Planning and Development Authority, Economic Development Board, Capital Municipality, Capital Secretariat Council as well as a number of Manama Souq traders.

Background Information

Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BETA)

Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority was established in 2015 under the Royal Decree number (76) for the year 2015 issued by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain. Whereas the first clause of the Decree number (10) stated that an authority should be established under the supervision of the Council of Ministers

In 2015, BTEA started its operations under the Decree number (9) for the year 2015 to append the Tourism Affairs to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce based on the recommendation of HRH Prime Minister and under the law number (62) of the year 2016 to establish and regulate the Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority (BECA) and the Decree number (1) for the year 1985 to establish a Supreme Council for Tourism, and the law number (15) for the year 1986 to regulate the Tourism sector amended by a Law by Decree number (12) for the year 1994.