Bahraini-French initiative boosts waterfront connectivity

Manama, Apr. 10 (BNA): The interactive session on ‘Sustainable Cities and Waterfront Connectivity’ held today in Manama was a reflection and a continuation of the Bahrain-French city planning initiative that followed the visit by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to France in 2015, and which resulted in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Bahrain and France Expertise to provide the necessary technical support for the implementation of the initiative, Shaikh Nayef bin Khaled Al Khalifa, CEO of the Urban Planning and Development Authority (UPDA), said. “The royal directives to set up the High Urban Planning Committee, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, following the Bahraini-French initiative, were the basis for the follow-up of the implementation of the initiative projects, which are in the service of citizens and residents in Bahrain,” Shaikh Nayef told Bahrain News Agency (BNA). “The role of the High Urban Planning Committee is not confined to following up the various stages of projects, but extends to the development of services that benefit everyone.” The discussions aim to review the steps taken to implement the projects included in the initiative, he added. “The projects are not implemented through one entity, but are rather subject to joint efforts. The specialised expert visions of the speakers and participants were highly significant in clarifying the concept and benefits of sustainable cities and waterfront connectivity,” he said. Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, secretary general of National Initiative for Agricultural Development, said that her participation sought to highlight the initiative’s objectives to develop the agricultural sector. “Expanding the green zones in Bahrain is a shared responsibility and both the public and private sectors have significant roles to play,” she said. Responsibilities assumed by the initiative include motivating the private sector to invest in increasing green zones and coordinating with factories to reduce negative effects on the environment, she added.