74 December 2011 BTM “It’s a complete make-over,” exclaimed an astonished visitor when he saw the Hidd Industrial Area, north east of the Kingdom of Bahrain, after a gap of five years. As someone who was a resident of Bahrain — working at ASRY, the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard company, one of the earliest in that area — he was completely taken by surprise at the sweeping changes in Hidd in just the last five years or so. Al-Hidd, which was a place of fishing and pearl diving industries until half-a-century ago, is now almost unrecognisable as a bustling industrial area. And it is not just this one visitor who was returning to Bahrain, but anyone who is following the industrial growth in the region will be surprised at the speed and the seriousness with which the government, the investors, the builders, and their customers, have been working here. Operations at the Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP), Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP), Bahrain Logistics Zone (BLZ), Bahrain Investment Wharf (BIW), have been progressing with great speed, and several foreign investors have set up shop here, from which to access the region. Most of these developments have been a part of the government’s long-term vision to offer foreign investors, infrastructural facilities that would attract businesses; and make Bahrain a regional hub providing excellence when it comes to shipping, packaging, storing, transporting, and several other logistic services, in this Hidd Industrial Area. Executing on a vision The speed at which the developments have been completed here is astounding. For instance, BIW was established in 2006. But now, in just about five years, the deputy CEO of BIW, Yazan K Haddad says: “BIW had planned, designed and completed successfully the entire development, by concluding the construction of the required infrastructure for any type of light and medium industrial facility that would like to set up business within the BIW in particular, and the Kingdom of Bahrain in general.” And, if construction of the infrastructure is one part of the story, the other important part is attracting the investors to set up shop here. Yazan K Haddad adds, “As of now, BIW has been able to lease out more than 96 per cent of the plots to local and foreign industrial investments. The goals BIW established are continually being achieved as we always endeavour to establish and achieve new plans for the development.” Despite the economic upheavals around the world, the vision of the local government is steadily being realised. A growing port General Organisation of Sea Ports (GOP) manages the KBSP and BLZ, both situated here. And the director general of GOP, Hassan Al Majed says, “Over the past two years we have witnessed significant growth in Bahrain’s maritime activity, and KBSP has been a crucial component in attracting increased trade volumes to the country. “The Kingdom of Bahrain has continued to experience an increase in shipping and maritime activities since the commencement of operations at the KBSP in April 2009. There has been positive business growth at KBSP and planning for further infrastructure development continues at KBSP, BLZ and the Mina Salman Port.” Hassan Al Majed continues, “Operational performance at KBSP has improved in terms of efficiency achieved by the port operator: APM Terminals, Bahrain. The GOP has enhanced the level of security, safety and surveillance standards and has taken over complete control of the management of the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) at the harbour towers. “On the infrastructure side, the second phase of dredging the main approach channel to KBSP has started. We are also in the process of tendering a large project to operate a bulk materials terminal at Mina Salman, a project that has been devised after consultation with our public and private sector stakeholders.” He also adds that the growing efficiency of the port is a result of investment and effort that is in line with Bahrain’s Vision 2030. “Our investment in KBSP has provided world-class facilities. And this, along with our favourable customs regulations and proximity to logistics processing areas, make it one of the most cost-effective and efficient ports in the region. “By attracting investment from international companies that are targeting the region, and by providing greater employment opportunities for the local population, KBSP is contributing significantly towards realising Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 by spurring the country’s development and fuelling its expansion while embracing the principles of sustainability, competitiveness and fairness throughout.” Attracting the best Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP) is another new high quality, 247-hectare Business Park that has been developed by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, which has attracted large foreign businesses to Bahrain. One of the many manufacturing facilities set up here is that of Kraft Foods. annualreview JOEL INDRUPATI/ TARA HENARI The Hidd area has been transformed in recent years by the establishment of three major sites to boost industrial activity in the Kingdom. Hassan Al Majed Industrial Movers
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