Al-Riyadh newspaper | The Kingdom of Bahrain on its 53rd National Day…a comprehensive development renaissance

The sister Kingdom of Bahrain celebrates the 53rd anniversary of its National Day, and the people of Bahrain, under wise leadership, continue the process of construction, renaissance and development in various fields.

The Kingdom shares the feelings of pride in what has been accomplished and achieved by the government and people of their brothers in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Which highlights the depth of the decades-long relations between the two countries at the level of the two leaderships and the two brotherly peoples.

This distinguished fraternal relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain is confirmed by the historic official visits between the two brotherly countries, up to the prosperous era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and his brother, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Since its independence in 1971 AD, the Kingdom of Bahrain has witnessed a comprehensive renaissance in all economic, educational, health and other development fields, and has established a modern and diversified economic structure that has strengthened its position as a major commercial, financial and tourism center in the region.

The foreign policy of the Kingdom of Bahrain is based on solid foundations, including affirming the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of its territories at the regional, Arab and international levels, as well as preserving and protecting its strategic, political and economic interests abroad and defending them, developing, promoting and strengthening ties and relations with all Arab and international countries and bodies, and representing them in Arab and international forums. And supporting the just causes of the Arab and Islamic nations, foremost of which is the issue of Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

The Kingdom of Bahrain continued its foreign policy; To consolidate relations with various countries of the world, and to extend bridges of friendship and cooperation with various peoples for the benefit and benefit of the nation and the Bahraini citizen.

In internal affairs and to enhance the development process, the Kingdom of Bahrain adopted its reform approach emanating from the spirit of the law and the constitution, and worked to modernize legislation and laws to keep pace with the modern democratic process. It achieved rapid development and sustainable development over the past five decades, as it turned into a major commercial and financial center that attracted foreign capital. Its economic plans were based on a specific vision.

The “Bahrain Economic Vision 2030”, which was launched in 2008 AD, outlined a comprehensive plan for the development process in the Kingdom of Bahrain, based on three principles: sustainability, competitiveness, and justice. It aims to develop a clear approach to developing the economy, focusing on the main goal of improving the living standards of all citizens.

Bahrain considers foreign investment an essential element of the Economic Vision 2030. Because it is a long-term plan to improve the competitiveness of its economy, create job opportunities for its skilled workers, and improve the individual’s standard of living; This explains Bahrain’s commitment to building on existing advantages to make the Middle East a more attractive center for business.

In addition to its cost, competitiveness, easy access to the rest of the Middle East region, and solid commercial infrastructure, the Kingdom of Bahrain has great experience in understanding and responding to the needs of foreign companies.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has strengthened its success in providing adequate housing for citizens, and establishing new and sustainable urban communities, through 8 residential cities, including: Isa, Hamad, and Zayed Cities, which were launched since the launch of social housing projects for people with limited income in the 1960s, and 5 cities were launched, namely Salman City, Khalifa City, East Hidd City, East Sitra City, and Al-Ramli Suburb, where citizens were settled in the first stages. Within the framework of the Royal Order to build 40,000 housing units.

These housing cities constitute a model of sustainable urban and urban development due to their availability of the elements of modern quality of life, including infrastructure, communications and transportation network, facilities and services, while preserving the environmental and heritage aspects.

According to the official website of the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the total population is 1,577,059 people according to the 2023 statistics.

In the field of tourism, the Kingdom of Bahrain, represented by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, is striving to develop and advance the tourism sector to raise its contribution to the national economy. Developing the tourism sector in the Kingdom is one of the priorities of the government’s work program, which works to stimulate investors by providing an incubating environment for tourism projects, and to stimulate the private sector, which supports… Its efforts to promote the country as a tourist destination, and the Kingdom of Bahrain works within the framework of an integrated system of plans and programs to increase the benefit of the tourist attractions that it possesses, whether historical or modern, This is based on its belief in the importance of tourism development, as it is one of the most important pillars of the cultural development process in its comprehensive sense, and the extent of the ability of this vital sector to increase the national product, individual income, and diversify economic activity.

The new tourism identity for Bahrain was launched based on four foundations on which the strategy for developing the tourism sector is based. The first: developing ports such as; King Fahd Causeway, Bahrain International Airport, and Khalifa Bin Salman Port, in addition to developing marine facilities in order to attract private yachts from neighboring countries, and the second: tourist attraction through holding permanent events in Bahrain and developing the Bahrain Exhibition Center in order to accommodate a larger number of events, The third: developing tourist facilities for housing, whether hotels, furnished apartments, or residential apartments, and studying the establishment of a private institute for hotel and hospitality, and the fourth: putting the Gulf tourist at the forefront. Its interests are activating family tourism, and then expanding the circle to attract tourists from other countries.

The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, in partnership with national institutions, the private sector and civil society, devotes significant attention to supporting the cultural movement, creating the necessary conditions and capabilities to preserve the tangible and intangible cultural heritage, developing the cultural infrastructure, and supporting national energies and talents, in accordance with the government’s work program, economic vision and goals. Sustainable development 2030, and the Kingdom of Bahrain’s accession to many international cultural agreements, including the agreements of the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) regarding the protection and promotion of the diversity of forms of cultural expression, and the protection of cultural heritage. Intangible Heritage, the 1973 Tangible Heritage Convention, the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage in 2014, and others.

وتزخر مملكة البحرين بعديد من القلاع الأثرية مثل: موقع قلعة البحرين وقلعة الشيخ سلمان بن أحمد الفاتح في الرفاع، وقلعة عراد، وقلعة بوماهر في المحرق، والمتاحف الوطنية مثل: متحف البحرين الوطني، أول متحف أنشئ في ‏منطقة الخليج العربي عام 1988، ومتحف موقع قلعة البحرين عام ‏‏2008، ومتحف البريد وغيرها.

In the field of women, the Kingdom of Bahrain pays special attention to ensuring that educated women have a role in urban development, which constitutes the most clear representation of the interconnection and integration between the various dimensions of sustainable development. The Supreme Council for Women works through its plans that focus on integrating women’s needs and ensuring gender balance, by ensuring Applying this realistically and through quantitative and qualitative measurements that are announced periodically in reports dedicated to this regard.

Emphasizing its interest in the youth sector, the Kingdom of Bahrain worked to support and empower them, develop their cognitive and professional capabilities, and enhance their positive participation in various aspects of life, believing that they are the true wealth of the nation and the pillar of construction, security, stability, cultural progress, and sustainable development.

The Kingdom of Bahrain was keen to pay attention to renewable and alternative energy sources, in addition to ensuring optimal exploitation of its climatic conditions, taking advantage of the comparative advantage offered by solar energy, and then contributing with other state agencies to efforts to protect the environment, and thus confirming the country’s commitment to achieving sustainable development goals.

Interest in clean energy projects began with Bahrain’s accession as a permanent member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) since its establishment in 2009, where it participated in its tenth conference held in Abu Dhabi, in addition to establishing a sustainable energy unit in 2013, which contributed to increasing awareness of renewable energy sources. Which is characterized by being less expensive and more capable of dealing with climate change. It also contributes to meeting development requirements and keeping pace with the global shift in investment in alternative energy fields.

At the level of the labor sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the issue of unemployment has received great attention from the government, which has taken steps towards implementing its strategy aimed at absorbing the influx of graduates in the medium and long term, after it succeeded during the past years in maintaining unemployment rates within their safe limits, by securing the needs of the market. Working with qualified competencies, and supporting policies to improve productivity in private sector establishments.

The health sector received special attention, as many health centers and hospitals were established and developed, and health services were introduced to improve health care, and provide medicines and skilled specialist doctors in all specialties, ensuring a safe and healthy life for every citizen and resident.