Khalifa City:Manama Gateway Gulf 2026, organized by the Economic Development Board (EDB), has spotlighted significant progress on the development of over 2,500 housing units in Khalifa City, a major strategic housing project in Bahrain. This project has transitioned from an investment opportunity for private sector involvement in social housing to the contracting stage with a developer.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Kingdom of Bahrain continues to focus on enhancing public-private partnerships to expedite the implementation of housing projects. Recent developments in the Khalifa City project were showcased at the 2024 Gateway Gulf as an investment opportunity, which eventually led to an agreement with Naseej to oversee the project's development. This milestone agreement was signed during the Social Housing Innovation Conference and Exhibition 2026, marking a crucial step toward actual project implementation.
The agreement, signed by Amna bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, and Amin Al Arrayed, Chief Executive Officer of Naseej, outlines that the company will handle the design, financing, construction, marketing, and sale of housing units to beneficiaries of housing finance options. Additionally, Naseej will develop the necessary supporting infrastructure as part of the Government Land Development Rights Programme. This project, located along Bahrain's southern coast, covers approximately 1.56 million square meters and includes more than 2,500 housing units and 176,600 square meters of green and open spaces, aiming to create a comprehensive urban environment for Bahraini families.
The progress of Khalifa City highlights Bahrain's strategy of leveraging private sector capabilities to develop housing projects, transforming investment opportunities into concrete projects that align with the Kingdom's housing and development goals. Furthermore, the project underscores the significance of Gateway Gulf as a platform for fostering private sector partnerships, tracking their progress, and demonstrating the outcomes of strategic collaborations between public and private sectors. These efforts play a vital role in promoting sustainable economic growth and enhancing private sector involvement in major development projects.