THE foundation stone was laid last month for a 270-hectare project featuring up to 4,500 housing units – one of the key strategic development schemes in Bahrain.

Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa laid the foundation and gave the go-ahead for work to start on the East Hidd project.

The project, which includes housing units and plots, is part of an official programme to construct full-fledged residential towns. “Once completed, it will contribute to meeting the applications on the waiting lists since 2009,” Housing Minister Bassem Al Hamer said.

Five-hundred housing units and an equal number of plots have been distributed to citizens residing in Hidd, as part of the first stage of the multi-phase project.

Meanwhile, Bahrain has signed an agreement to harness British technical and engineering know-how to promote major housing projects. The housing minister signed a co-operation agreement with Prince Charles Foundation chief executive Hank Dittmar, in line with this plan. Under the agreement, the housing ministry will benefit from the expertise of the foundation in promoting social housing projects for Bahrainis. The London-based enterprise will supply the ministry with technical and engineering consultancy and help hone skills of Bahraini human resources.

It will also co-ordinate with government departments to design and execute three housing blocs in the Southern Governorate. The first three projects will provide 4,000 new homes along with infrastructure components and comprehensive services. It will then be expanded to include the other governorates across Bahrain.