Latest news with #GovernmentPlan
Bahrain This Week
7 days ago
- Business
- Bahrain This Week
Enhanced interface redesign, AI-powered search, and statistical calendar launched
The Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) announced the launch of new features on the Bahrain Open Data Portal ( The new features come in line with the directives of His Excellency General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information Technology and Communication (MCICT), to streamline access to reliable data and enriching the user journey. iGA Deputy Chief Executive of Operations & Governance Dr. Khalid Ahmed Al-Mutawa stated that these enhancements support the national efforts to boost government performance and align with the Government Plan's goals, particularly in improving data systems and accessibility. The enhancements empower decision-makers in facilitating policy and strategy development while enabling researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, and institutions to access accurate and trusted data efficiently. Key enhancements include the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve data search functionality through AI-driven search, enabling users to find relevant data faster and with greater accuracy. The portal's interface has been redesigned to improve navigation and user experience. Moreover, the new 'Statistical Reports' page allows users to view and download previous statistics in their original formats (PDF, Excel), providing more accessibility for research and analysis while supporting transparency. iGA highlighted the new 'Statistical Calendar,' which provides a schedule of upcoming data releases to help users plan their research and analysis. A 'Keyboard Navigation' feature has also been introduced, allowing users, including those with special needs, to access all portal functions using keyboard controls. The homepage now includes a responsive top banner compatible with all smart devices, displaying dynamic data visuals and links to detailed content in both languages (Arabic and English). Reflecting the iGA's commitment to public engagement, a 'User Ratings and Feedback' feature allows users to rate datasets by usefulness, accuracy, and relevance, and submit general feedback to help continuously improve data quality. The Bahrain Open Data Portal, launched by the iGA, provides unrestricted, free access to a wide range of datasets, covering topics like population, consumer prices, and more, without the need for registration. According to the latest statistics, the open data portal hosts approximately 454 datasets. Among the most accessed are population data with over 36,000 downloads, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stock data with more than 9,000, Consumer Price Index (CPI) data with over 9,000, and both the quarterly Business Confidence Index and import data with over 8,000 downloads each.
Daily Tribune
18-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Focus on expansion of housing finance options with private sector
As part of the executive plan to implement the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to accelerate housing projects and provide 50,000 new units, Her Excellency Amna bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, held an extensive meeting with heads and representatives of real estate development companies and commercial banks in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The meeting focused on expanding public-private partnerships to provide social housing services, diversifying housing finance options, and introducing the new 'Tas'heel+' programme as part of the Ministry's efforts to broaden choices and enhance service quality. Al Rumaihi emphasised the government's commitment, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to strengthening partnership with the private sector to expand housing solutions in line with the Government Plan (2023–2026). She highlighted the positive outcomes of the Housing Financing Programme and the Government Land Development Rights Programme, which have provided thousands of immediate housing services to citizens. These results reflect the success of involving the private sector in housing programmes, benefiting from its accumulated resources and expertise in both the real estate and banking sectors. The Minister reviewed recent developments in the Housing Finance Programme, including the launch of 'Tas'heel+, which would strengthen private sector partnerships and accelerate service delivery. Solutions She noted that 'Tas'heel+' will diversify financing options provided by the Ministry and Eskan Bank, in cooperation with participating banks, alongside ongoing housing projects by real estate developers through the Government Land Development Rights Programme. These efforts aim to deliver solutions aligned with citizens' financing eligibility. She commended the banking sector for offering competitive and supportive financial solutions that enable citizens to access immediate housing services, noting that the positive results achieved so far reflect the contributions of commercial banks and developers to the housing system.
Bahrain News Gazette
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Bahrain News Gazette
Bahrain Advocates for Gender Equality at 69th UN Commission on Status of Women Session
New York: A Bahraini delegation participated in a ministerial session in the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. The theme of the session reviewed and appraised the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly. The review included an assessment of current challenges that affect the implementation of the Platform for Action, the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women, and its contribution towards the full realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. According to Bahrain News Agency, Ambassador Jamal Faris Al Ruwaie, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations in New York, delivered the Kingdom's statement, underscoring Bahrain's commitment to integrating sustainable development goals into national policies. He highlighted the economic recovery and sustainable development plan within the Government Plan (2023-2026) and the Kingdom's pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. He emphasised Bahrain's continued efforts, through the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), to integrate women's needs into national development, guided by the National Action Charter and the Constitution, with strong political support. He noted that Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Consort of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and SCW President, recently approved the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women (2025-2026) to advance women's leadership across various domains. Al Ruwaie highlighted Bahrain's National Model for Gender Balance, which reflects the country's success in advancing women's roles, including holding five ministerial positions, such as the appointment of a female Minister of Sustainable Development in 2022. He also noted the increasing presence of Bahraini women in leadership and decision-making roles. The ambassador underscored Bahrain's support for global efforts to empower women and integrate them into sustainable development initiatives. During the session, member states reviewed progress on implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and sustainable development goals, stressing the need to amend legislation, adopt gender-responsive budgets, and launch awareness programmes to protect females from technological risks while supporting female entrepreneurs. The organising committee expressed appreciation for member states' contributions to women's empowerment and efforts to eliminate all forms of discrimination, underscoring the importance of such meetings in sharing best practices. On the sidelines of the session, Lulwa Saleh Al Awadhi, SCW Secretary-General, met with Amal Ammar, President of Egypt's National Council for Women, to discuss cooperation and the exchange of expertise, particularly in gender-responsive budgeting and equal opportunity committees. They also reviewed renewing the 2008 memorandum of understanding between the two councils. Al Awadhi invited Egypt's National Council for Women to participate in the third edition of HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women's Empowerment, launched at the session. She noted that nominee Nawal Sayed Mostafa Attia of Egypt won the Individuals category in the 2022 edition.
Daily Tribune
12-03-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Energy efficiency regulations set for lighting products
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has announced the upcoming mandatory implementation of the National Technical Regulation for Energy Efficiency of Lighting Products, set to take effect on March 15, in accordance with Decision (25) of 2024. The ministry called on economic operators to comply with the regulation's requirements when importing and trading lighting products in the local market. Shaikh Hamad bin Salman Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for Domestic and Foreign Trade at the ministry, emphasised that adopting the regulation aligns with national efforts to reduce energy consumption and supports the Government Plan (2023-2026) for lowering carbon emissions across various sectors. It also aims to enhance energy efficiency in multiple products, raise awareness, reduce waste, and ease pressure on natural resources.
Biz Bahrain
12-03-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
Industry Ministry to implement energy efficiency regulations for lighting products
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has announced the upcoming mandatory implementation of the National Technical Regulation for Energy Efficiency of Lighting Products, set to take effect on March 15, in accordance with Decision (25) of 2024. The ministry called on economic operators to comply with the regulation's requirements when importing and trading lighting products in the local market. Shaikh Hamad bin Salman Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for Domestic and Foreign Trade at the ministry, emphasised that adopting the regulation aligns with national efforts to reduce energy consumption and supports the Government Plan (2023-2026) for lowering carbon emissions across various sectors. It also aims to enhance energy efficiency in multiple products, raise awareness, reduce waste, and ease pressure on natural resources. He highlighted that the decision will significantly contribute to lowering electricity consumption, improving the quality of lighting products in the local market, and reducing overall costs for consumers. Shaikh Hamad bin Salman said that the conformity assessment procedures for lighting products will be conducted through the electronic platform for Bahraini energy efficiency cards. He explained that compliance procedures and requirements are divided into two parts, those under the responsibility of manufacturers and accredited entities, and those under the responsibility of importers. Manufacturers are required to apply for the electronic platform for Bahraini energy efficiency cards, obtain a product registration certificate, and issue an energy efficiency card for the product after submitting all necessary documentation proving compliance with technical standards. Accredited entities will then review and approve these documents before issuing the certificate and energy efficiency card through the electronic platform. Shaikh Hamad bin Salman underscored that before importing any product, importers must ensure it meets all regulatory requirements by verifying the existence of a valid product registration certificate and affixing the energy efficiency card to the product at the source. Starting March 15, customs authorities in Bahrain will not release imported lighting products unless they comply with the regulation's requirements, as stipulated in the decision. These requirements were previously communicated through the World Trade Organisation platform, and economic operators were granted a full year to ensure compliance. Shaikh Hamad bin Salman urged all economic operators to adhere to the regulation as its mandatory implementation begins. He underscored the ministry's commitment to adopting technical regulations that enhance energy efficiency and ensure effective energy consumption management. BNA(R)
