Bahrain was preparing a substantial economic recovery plan following His Majesty the King’s call and the Cabinet’s announcement of initiatives to develop the economy and create quality opportunities for citizens. Different sectors continued to launch their strategies under the plan announced in late October 2021.

The plan centred on five priorities: creating promising jobs and making Bahraini citizens the first choice in the labour market; simplifying commercial procedures and attracting investment; implementing major development projects; growing promising sectors to strengthen non-oil GDP; and advancing fiscal sustainability and economic stability, including the stated goal of fiscal balance by 2024.

The tourism strategy covered waterfront activities, business tourism, sports tourism, culture and heritage, leisure tourism, media and film, and medical tourism. Its four priorities were easier entry, attractions, marketing and promotion, and accommodation.

The 2022–2026 logistics strategy addressed laws and regulations, infrastructure, policies and procedures, investor incentives, regional and international connectivity, and the promotion of investment opportunities.

Its targets included one million port containers and one million metric tonnes of airport cargo by 2030; more than seventy air destinations by 2025; a position among the leading three regional and twenty global countries in logistics; and a contribution of 10% to GDP by 2030. In my view, these ambitions could substantially advance Bahrain’s economy.

On 24 November 2021, major development projects worth more than US$30 billion were announced, including plans for five new city areas: Fasht Al Jarim, Suhaila Island, Fasht Al Adhm, Bahrain Bay and the Hawar Islands.

Infrastructure and communications projects included the King Hamad Causeway, Bahrain Metro, future international fibre-optic networks and the Northern Road. Industrial projects included an aluminium downstream zone, Bapco refinery modernisation and a commercial zone with the United States.

Tourism projects included Bilaj Al Jazayer’s tourism development, Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain, the new international exhibition and convention centre, the Southern City project, Address Marassi Bahrain and its residences, Vida Marassi Bahrain and its residences, and Marassi Galleria.

The announced programme also included King Abdullah Medical City, the University of Bahrain’s College of Engineering, the Dilmunia health-services complex, King Hamad–AMH Hospital and a Sports City. An investment platform would help investors access opportunities arising from the major projects under the recovery plan.