Al-Amn Magazine

A By Mahmood Al-Mahmood Landmark nat i ona l ach i evement s Fores i ght of t he l eadersh i p shows t he way s the Kingdom of Bahrain continues its steady and comprehensive development journey under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, may God protect and preserve him, and in implementation of the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him, the year 2025 stands out as a new and radiant chapter in a succession of distinguished national achievements. This year gone by has represented a practical embodiment of ambitious national visions, marked by qualitative accomplishments across all sectors. These achievements have further strengthened Bahrain’s regional and international standing while enhancing the quality of life for citizens and residents alike - within a comprehensive development framework that has positioned the Kingdom as a model to be emulated. Economic progress and regional integration On the economic front, Bahrain continued throughout 2025 its firm commitment to diversifying income sources and strengthening a sustainable economy, in alignment with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. These efforts were clearly reflected across several vital areas, most notably in reinforcing regional cooperation and Bahrain’s Gulf dimension. This was evident during the recently hosted Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Bahrain, which concluded with productive outcomes that reflected positively on the Kingdom’s leadership role. Further reinforcing this trajectory was the convening of the fourth meeting of the Bahraini–Saudi Coordination Council, held during the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The meeting, which brought together the two Crown Princes, resulted in an exceptional package of agreements and memoranda of understanding that can only be described as historic, underscoring the shared destiny of the two brotherly nations. Among these agreements—mentioned here by way of example rather than limitation—was the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, which places bilateral trade within a unified framework for both countries. In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Bahrain Economic Development Board and the Saudi Ministry of Investment was signed to enhance joint cooperation and encourage direct investment. This includes the exchange of statistical investment data, information on available business opportunities, and support for public–private partnership initiatives. This memorandum is expected to open wide horizons for Bahraini entrepreneurs by granting greater access to the vast Saudi market, supported by facilitation measures beyond what was previously available. It will also result in Bahrain hosting an annual Bahraini–Saudi Investment Forum, beginning in the first half of 2026, to showcase investment opportunities in both countries and attract interested companies. In my view, this memorandum stands as one of the most significant outcomes of the fourth Coordination Council meeting, and a pivotal step toward enhancing economic integration, attracting investment, and supporting sustainable growth for both nations. Government excellence and housing development Under the leadership of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Bahrain achieved notable recognition at the Arab Government Excellence Awards 2025, where the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning won the award for Best Arab Initiative to Eliminate Bureaucracy. This achievement reflects the tangible progress witnessed in the housing sector, in line with the royal directive to provide 50,000 new housing units for citizens. Housing remains a top priority within the Government Program (2023–2026), focusing on improving citizens’ living standards. During 2025, one of the most prominent pioneering projects was launched under the gracious patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint