Bahrain housing project has opportunities for Philippine contractors

MANILA, Philippines—Filipino contractors may get opportunities to work on Bahrain’s social housing project if talks between Philippine and Bahraini officials are fruitful, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Saturday.

The project was taken up by Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Ma. Corazon Bahjin during a courtesy call on Bahrain Housing Minister Basim Yacoub Al Hamer in Manama last February 16, the DFA said in a press statement.

The Bahraini government plans to build 4,100 housing units in various places in the country for its citizens. The project, a top priority of the Bahraini government, was awarded to Naseej, a major real estate developer in the Middle East, and is expected to be completed in three years.

The Philippine envoy discussed with the Bahraini housing official the matter of “how Filipino contractors could participate in the housing projects and possibly be part of the consortium,” the DFA said.

“She emphasized that the Philippines boasts of highly qualified real estate developers and construction companies, architectural and engineering service providers that could partner with Bahraini companies in exploring business and investment opportunities in the real estate development and construction projects,” it added.

In return, Bahrain’s housing minister “expressed gratitude for the embassy officials’ visit and looks forward for a more active engagement in the near future,” according to the DFA.

Bahjin also invited the minister to visit the Philippines and see for himself the development of social housing projects in the country, including the Gawad Kalinga.