The third Manama Souq Development Committee meeting was held on the 30th of October 2018, which was headed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), H.E. Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa.
During the meeting, several topics were discussed including methodologies to develop and improve the storefronts of the Manama Souq, where members announced commencement of the facade and signage grant program and the acceptance of requests from traders and shop-owners located in the designated area. One of the key highlights of the project is to revitalize the old Manama Souq by revamping the building façades and creating a higher standard of signage for storefronts, in order to enhance and maintain the old Souq’s position as an authentic tourist destination in the Kingdom. The storefronts will be replaced according to the outlined design guidelines within the areas defined in the Master Plan set by the Committee, which were established in order to enhance visitors’ experience.
Traders located the Manama Souq interested in renovating their storefronts can now apply for the signage program by submitting the required documents to the BTEA , which will be in charge of reviewing all the submissions of all the applicants. The cost will then be estimated according to the design criteria and reviewed by the Authority, once approved the requests will be submitted to Tamkeen, who will be financing the cost of the project by 50%.
“We are continuously working in coordination with the government and private authorities involved in the development of the Manama Souq project, which has earned its reputation as one of the most important historical and tourist landmark in the Kingdom. We are collaborating with Tamkeen for this project, in order to develop an integrated program to replace the storefront facades and signage of the Manama Souq,” said the CEO of BTEA, H.E. Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa.
The Manama Souq Development Committee comprises of representatives from the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, Urban Planning and Development Authority, Economic Development Board, Capital Municipality, Capital Secretariat Council as well as a number of Manama Souq traders.