Manama: Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, announced the launch of eight new services on the Benayat electronic building permit system (www.benayat.bh), in cooperation with the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA), as part of efforts to enhance service efficiency and streamline procedures for investors and stakeholders.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the new services include renovation, fencing, subdivision, merging, land and marine reclamation, change-of-use, and modification permits for new buildings. These services support both investment and residential projects and are fully digitised, reducing processing times and the number of entities involved.
The Minister noted that the ongoing collaboration with iGA aims to enhance municipal services in Bahrain by simplifying procedures, improving efficiency, and raising satisfaction among customers, investors, and engineering offices. He added that the Ministry continues to provide support and guidance to engineering offices, ensuring effective service delivery. The platform reflects the government's commitment to digital transformation across sectors, offering citizens and investors an efficient way to manage permit applications. The new services are also designed to increase procedural transparency.
Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, iGA Chief Executive, commended the Ministry's commitment to digital transformation, in line with government directives and the decisions of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology. He underlined the importance of the strategic partnership between the Ministry and iGA in strengthening Bahrain's digital infrastructure, particularly in real estate and investment sectors.
Al Qaed noted that the new services deliver an integrated experience for engineering offices, property owners, government entities, and developers. The fully digital process shortens permit issuance times and reduces the number of government entities involved, while improving user interfaces and enabling automated fee payments and permit issuance.
The e-services offer end-to-end processing for various transactions. The fencing permit allows landowners and engineers to secure property boundaries; renovation permits support structural repairs without affecting the building's core integrity; subdivision and merging services streamline land configuration; while use-change permits, reclamation permits, and permit modifications support evolving real estate needs. All services have been digitised and timeframes reduced.
With the addition of the new services, Benayat now offers a total of 15 e-services. These have reduced paper transactions, eliminated the need for in-person visits, and cut processing time by up to 90% in some stages. Applications can now be completed in 1-3 working days. The system also integrates other government services such as utility connections and includes an interactive map enabling investors to assess property status and pre-approvals, improving transparency and confidence.
Benayat serves as the national platform for all building permits in Bahrain. It allows engineering offices to submit and track applications, pay fees, and access requirements through a nationwide interactive map. The platform is integrated with the National Geospatial Information Database, comprising over 300 data layers from 30+ entities, helping accelerate procedures, support planning, and strengthen coordination among stakeholders to meet sustainable development goals.
Further information is available via the national suggestions and complaints system 'Tawasul' or through the platform's website at www.benayat.bh.