Latest from Bahrain This Week
Bahrain This Week
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Bahrain This Week
Bahrain Grand Prix Confirmed for April 10-12 in 2026 F1 Calendar
Formula 1 and The FIA today announced the 2026 season calendar, with Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), 'The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East', set to host the fourth round in next year's FIA Formula 1 World Championship. The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 will take place from 10 to 12 April in Sakhir. With Bahrain retaining the same place in the calendar as 2025, racing will begin in Australia from 6 to 8 March. China will then host round two from 13 to 15 March, followed by Japan from 27 to 29 March, prior to coming to Sakhir. With 2025 achieving yet another sellout at Bahrain International Circuit, tickets for next year's race are expected to be as in-demand as ever. For 2026, BIC will introduce a priority ticket access window for fans who want to ensure they can get the best seats available. Those interested are encouraged to visit to register their details now and will be the first to access tickets, ahead of their official launch which will be announced in due course. 2026 will yet again see 24 races on the calendar, with Madrid announced as the new addition to the 2026 calendar from 11 to 13 September. Following Bahrain's race, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be held in Jeddah a week later from 17 to 19 April. The season will then run to its traditional conclusion in Abu Dhabi from 4 to 6 December.
Bahrain This Week
6 days ago
- Business
- Bahrain This Week
Infracorp Unveils Bahrain's First Sustainable Sukuk at UN Workshop
Infracorp, a leading specialised company in investing in the infrastructure and sustainable development sector, has announced its participation in a United Nations workshop recently held in Bahrain to highlight the Kingdom's contribution to global efforts in financing sustainable development. The company presented its pioneering experience in issuing Bahrain's first sustainable sukuk. Infracorp took part in a panel discussion entitled 'Innovative Financing Instruments: SDG-Linked Bonds and Sukuk'. Ms. Zeeba Askar, Chief Sustainability and Investment Officer at Infracorp, delivered a presentation titled 'Bahrain's First Sustainable Sukuk'. She outlined the company's transition from green sukuk to a broader sustainable sukuk framework in line with international trends for financing projects with environmental and social impact. Ms. Askar confirmed that Infracorp's sustainable sukuk framework is fully aligned with the ICMA's Green, Social and Sustainability Bond Principles, supports Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030 and is consistent with the United Nations SDGs. She added that the framework's governance is underpinned by an independent, accredited external opinion to ensure transparency and credibility. The company has mapped key performance indicators, adopted a rigorous project-selection mechanism based on expected outcomes, and issues regular reports to measure each project's environmental and social impact. Commenting on the occasion, Ms Askar said: 'Our objective went beyond issuing a conventional finance instrument; it was about setting a standard for what a Sustainable Sukuk should represent. We carefully built a framework aligned with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with measurable KPIs mapped across every eligible project. The result is a Sukuk rooted in transparency, governed by rigor, and driven by real-world impact.' The workshop highlighted Bahrain's leading efforts in development finance, including Islamic finance, SDG-linked bonds and the fintech sector, ahead of the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), scheduled to take place in Seville, Spain, from June 30 to July 3, 2025. It brought together UN officials, public-sector representatives and private-sector partners to discuss the Kingdom's participation in the conference. FfD4 will serve as a pivotal platform to assess progress on global commitments to finance sustainable development and to address challenges that have emerged since the adoption of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda in 2015. The conference will gather high-level representatives from governments, international and regional organisations, financial and commercial institutions, the private sector, civil society and the United Nations system.
Bahrain This Week
19-06-2025
- Health
- Bahrain This Week
Bahrain Mourns the Passing of Safia Ali Kanoo
Bahrain has lost one of its most dedicated humanitarians with the passing of Safia Ali Muhammad Kanoo on Wednesday, June 18. A towering figure in Bahrain's social and economic landscape, she leaves behind a legacy of transformative philanthropy, women's empowerment, and cultural enrichment. For decades, Ms Kanoo championed initiatives that uplifted vulnerable communities, most notably through healthcare. She established the Safia Ali Kanoo Paediatric Ward at Salmaniya Medical Complex, providing critical care for children battling cancer, and founded two specialised wards for elderly care. Her contributions extended beyond medicine—she built mosques, supported art centres like the Safia Ali Kanoo Centre for Arts and Crafts, and empowered Bahraini women through entrepreneurship programs and exhibitions. A steadfast advocate for female leadership, she was a pillar of the Bahraini Businesswomen Association, creating and nurturing opportunities for women in business and culture. Her visionary work earned her the prestigious First-Class Medal of Competence from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa—twice, in 2001 and 2012—a testament to her national impact. Bahrain today grieves not just a philanthropist, but a trailblazer whose life redefined service. From children's hospitals to artisan workshops, her legacy lives on in every life she touched. As the Kingdom bids farewell to this icon of generosity, her spirit endures in the institutions she built and the countless futures she brightened. May her soul rest in peace.
Bahrain This Week
18-06-2025
- Business
- Bahrain This Week
BAC and Texel Air Sign MOU at Paris Airshow 2025
His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, reaffirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain's steadfast commitment to advancing its ambitious strategy for the development of the civil aviation sector and the enhancement of related infrastructure, in alignment with the highest international standards. His Excellency emphasized that Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) is a key pillar of this strategy, given the sector's promising investment potential and its vital role in supporting Bahrain's comprehensive aviation ecosystem. He further noted that the expansion of advanced maintenance services at Bahrain International Airport strengthens the Kingdom's ability to attract high-quality investments and contributes meaningfully to the national economic diversification agenda. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah also highlighted the partnership with Texel Air as an exemplary model of public-private sector collaboration in developing aviation services—reinforcing Bahrain's position as a flexible and efficient regional logistics hub. This statement follows the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport (BIA), and Texel Air, a specialist in air cargo and aircraft maintenance. The MoU was signed during the Paris Air Show, held from June 16 to 22, 2025, and outlines plans for a major expansion of aircraft MRO hangar capabilities at the airport. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and was officiated by Mr. Jeffrey Goh, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Air Group on behalf of BAC, and George Chisholm, Executive Board Member of Texel Air. Under the terms of the MoU, Texel Air's operations at Bahrain International Airport will be expanded through the development of a new 7,000-square-meter Code C aircraft hangar, along with an additional 10,000 square meters of apron, maneuvering and taxiway area. The new facility is designed to accommodate up to three Code C aircraft or multiple ultra long-range business jets in a climate-controlled environment, providing specialized parking and maintenance conditions tailored to high-value private and corporate aviation. This substantial infrastructure investment will significantly elevate Bahrain International Airport's capacity and standing as a premier regional aviation hub. The Chairman of Gulf Air Group, Mr. Khalid Hussain Taqi, stated, 'This MoU embodies the Group's long-term vision of creating valuable and sustainable opportunities for private sector partners and investors. This initiative will undoubtedly contribute to supporting the national economy through strategic investment in the Kingdom's aviation infrastructure. Our partnership with Texel Air is crucial. It stands as a truly successful model of effective collaboration. As a Bahraini company with a prominent regional impact, Texel Air's growth trajectory at Bahrain International Airport perfectly aligns with the Group's vision to foster a flexible and attractive environment for air cargo and aircraft maintenance and repair activities.' Mr. Jeffrey Goh, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Air Group commented, 'BAC is committed to supporting investors at Bahrain International Airport and enabling their commercial expansion and business growth, a core part of BAC's strategy to enhance private aviation operation. Supporting the logistics sector is an urgent necessity for diversifying airport services and solidifying the Kingdom of Bahrain's position as a regional aviation hub. Texel Air is a strategic partner that actively contributes to the air cargo and aviation ecosystem at Bahrain International Airport. Significantly, this expansion reflects investor confidence in the airport's capability to support various services and operations. George Chisholm, Executive Board Member of Texel Air Said, 'This investment reflects Texel Air's long-term commitment to the Kingdom of Bahrain as a strategic base for both commercial and corporate aviation. We're proud to work alongside BAC to build infrastructure that meets the evolving needs of the region.'
Bahrain This Week
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Bahrain This Week
Motorcity Bags 'Longest Partnership' Award at Chery 2025 Conference
Asian Motors, the official distributor of Chery vehicles in Bahrain (part of Motorcity), and Chery Bahrain were both honored at the 2025 Chery International Business Conference, which took place at Wuhu, China. Approximately 5,000 key industry figures from 90 countries attended the event, including global partners, regional executives, and other stakeholders. Motorcity received the 'Longest Partnership' award, a distinction that marks 20 years since its collaboration began with the Chinese automotive group, making Motorcity its longest-standing partner in history. Chery Bahrain also won the 'Rising Star' award at the event, highlighting the brand's enhanced growth rate, market presence, and performance in 2024. Chery Bahrain Dealer Principal, Abdulelah Burashed said: 'These awards cement Bahrain's role as a key partner in achieving Chery's global strategic objectives and highlight our capabilities in meeting those ambitions. Our partnership remains as strong as ever, thanks to our mutual values of focusing on market innovations and providing the best possible customer experience. We thank Chery for its prestigious recognition of this milestone, and we look forward to many more years of our successful partnership.' Chery is a leading brand in Bahrain and has garnered a reputation for innovative designs and commitment to quality, earning the trust of consumers in the Kingdom. Going forward, Chery has placed its focus on transforming global green mobility through innovative new energy technologies, particularly in the PHEV sector. The company aims to prioritize the safety, range, and intelligence of its PHEV products, offering more competitive eco-friendly mobility solutions to global consumers.
