HRH Crown Prince Visits King Fahd Causeway
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister today visited the Bahrain side of the King Fahd Causeway, accompanied by Lt General Shaikh Rashid bin Adbullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior, and Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance.
His Royal Highness encouraged that maximum efforts are undertaken to find a sustainable solution to the anticipated increase in cargo and passenger transport activity across the bridge. He added that finding a solution to the problems faced by those crossing the Causeway serves to work towards meeting the aspirations towards further integration through a Gulf Union.
His Royal Highness described the Causeway as a symbol of the strength of relations between the Kingdoms of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, whilst also representing an important element in underpinning economic ties between Bahrain and the wider GCC region. His Royal Highness stated that the Cabinet, led by His Royal Highness the Prime Minister, has prioritised the issue of easing the flow of traffic and resolving tailbacks of trucks on the Bahrain side of the King Fahd Causeway.
This measure was in response to concerns raised by the private sector, represented by the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a broad segment of Bahraini and Saudi businessmen, regarding the impact that the current procedures are having on this vital sector, and the potential for boosting economic activity in both countries.
He further added that it is essential to find a solution in order to protect trade interests and maintain the flow of exports and imports through this vital travel and trade route. During the tour, His Royal Highness also met HE Essam Bin Abdullah Khalaf, Minister of Works, and inspected the allocated site for the expansion and development of the Causeway, where he was briefed on the plan and timeframe for the expansion project.
His Royal Highness was then further briefed by the Chief of Customs on the movement across the Causeway along with the customs services provided, and the Director General of the King Fahd Causeway, who also provided a brief on the expansion, along with future investment requirements.
The director general explained that an area of 600,000sqm will be developed in order to help ease the flow of more than 400,000 vehicles per day. His Royal Highness emphasised the importance of cooperation with the private sector whilst working to upgrade the facilities and procedures in order to ensure to meet the needs of the transport companies.
He further stressed that the solutions must be in line with Bahrain’s efforts to achieve further substantial economic growth and attract further investments, taking in to consideration the role of the Causeway as one of the leading drivers of economic activity within the Kingdom due to its connection to the rest of the GCC.
Ministers and officials at the Causeway expressed their appreciation for the series of field visits carried out by His Royal Highness, which enhance government efforts across many sectors. They added that the directives of His Royal Highness were important to help the King Fahd Causeway to support the economic and trade industries within the Kingdom.
