Two new Transportation Ministry’s buildings opened

On behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, today opened the new building of the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications (MTT) and the Air Traffic Control Centre at MTT.

Ministers and officials attended the inauguration ceremony of the two buildings, which are adjacent to the Bahrain International Airport in the Muharraq Governorate.

Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla expressed sincere thanks and gratitude to HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for tasking him to open the two buildings on HRH’s behalf, noting that two facilities embody the great care enjoyed by the transportation and telecommunications sector within His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s comprehensive development process.

The Deputy Prime Minister asserted that the opening of the two buildings coincides with the kingdom’s celebrations of its national days, providing an opportunity to highlight the efforts being exerted to enhance the Bahrain’s economic status, in accordance with the principles of sustainability, competitiveness and fairness stipulated in the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.

It also reflects the commitment of the kingdom to modernising the infrastructure of the transportation and telecommunications sector, which is operated by highly qualified Bahraini competencies according to the highest standards, he said.

Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla indicated that the two buildings, which are vital projects, reflect the importance of integrating government efforts within Team Bahrain, in the construction sector, noting that the Ministerial Committee for Development Projects is keen to follow up on the progress of construction projects, and that the Ministry of Works implements them while taking making sure that their architectural designs meet needs and preserve the environment, at the same time. He added that the buildings merge the authentic Bahraini identity and the contemporary spirit. 

The Deputy Premier commended the efforts exerted by those in charge of the MTT building project to reduce expenses and the operational cost of facilities, as well as achieve optimal and sustainable use of resources.

He also paid tribute to those in charge of the Air Traffic Control Centre building project, which is the most modern in the region in terms of advanced and sophisticated equipment and technologies, confirming the Kingdom’s keenness to enhance safety and raise its efficiency to provide air navigation services at the highest levels of safety and quality in accordance with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which copes with the requirements of the growing traffic in the Kingdom’s air territory, which is estimated at more than 600,000 flights annually.

During the opening ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister was briefed on a photo gallery that includes the latest developments in the projects being implemented by the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, which would enhance the linkage of the Kingdom with the countries of the region and the world, and establish its reputation as one of the leading countries in the field of providing distinguished air and sea navigation services, as well as advanced infrastructure related to the transportation and telecommunication sector in housing towns.

He also inspected the components of the two projects and toured their facilities.

Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Mohammed bin Thamer Al-Kaabi, expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for patronising the opening of the two buildings, as well as to the Deputy Premier for attending the opening ceremony on HRH’s behalf.

He asserted that the two projects reflect HM the King’s visions for the kingdom’s progress, and confirm the keenness of the government, led by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to provide the necessary resources to develop infrastructure.

He indicated that the new MTT building takes into account the best design standards, and provides a supportive work environment for achievement, excellence and giving, as it contributes to enhancing the ability of employees to communicate under one roof to provide distinguished and high-quality services to beneficiaries.

As for the Air Traffic Control Centre’s building, he asserted that it presents a quantum leap in air navigation services for the airport and the Bahrain Flight Information Region, adding that it enhances the Kingdom’s pioneering and pivotal role in the air navigation sector at the regional and international levels.

Minister of Works, Ibrahim bin Hassan Al-Hawaj, said that the Ministry had developed engineering plans that ensure the optimal completion of the new MTT building in a way that would support the initiatives of the Economic Recovery Plan, especially the strategy of the logistics sector aimed at increasing the kingdom’s competitiveness and attracting more investments that has an impact on the homeland and citizens, in line with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.

He pointed out that the new MTT building is a distinguished monument regarding the beauty of its architectural design, emanating from nature of the Ministry’s work, which establishes the kingdom’s eternal connection with the sea and ships, and embodies innovative engineering concepts that provide a sustainable and stimulating work environment for employees through communication channels and effective coordination among them, which would stimulate their creativity and innovation skills.

Located on an area of about 16,000 square metres, the new MTT headquarters includes a building area of more than 19,000 square metres. It consists of seven floors, and a basement floor that includes the electromechanical services operating the building, green spaces, and 219 parking spaces.

As to the Air Traffic Control Centre, it covers a construction area of more than 3,000 square metres. The building is equipped with an Integrated Air Traffic Management System using state-of-the-art technology, in addition to advanced systems for processing radar information and flight data, Integrated Voice Communication System and Air Traffic Control Recording System.