ع
The Bahrain Economic Development Board disclosed at the close of Gateway Gulf 2026 that four large-scale initiatives had secured Golden Licenses, unlocking a combined $3.89 billion in investment that targets the kingdom’s priority non-oil sectors. These awards, granted under a programme launched in 2023 to streamline approvals and provide enhanced government support for strategic projects, encompass aviation logistics, hospitality real estate and digital infrastructure. The announcement aligns with Bahrain’s ongoing push to diversify its economy, where non-oil activity now accounts for around 86 percent of GDP according to Bahrain EDB assessments.
DHL will construct its first and only regional maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at Bahrain International Airport under one of the newly approved ventures. The development will service the company’s expanding fleet while increasing overall capacity for global operations originating from the kingdom’s established MENA logistics hub. Bahrain EDB materials indicate the project will generate high-value technical employment and reinforce the country’s role in international air freight networks.
Capital A, the Malaysian parent of AirAsia, secured approval for three interconnected aviation projects that build on a Letter of Intent signed with the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications in November 2025. The initiatives will introduce passenger connectivity linking Southeast Asia with the Middle East, Europe and beyond, alongside phased expansion of air cargo operations through the Teleport division. Asia Digital Engineering, Capital A’s maintenance arm, plans to develop in-country MRO capabilities that will serve both group aircraft and third-party carriers, creating engineering jobs and local expertise according to forum documentation.
A waterfront project on the Amwaj Islands received Golden License status for a collaboration between Spanish hotel group Meliá and local partner Infracorp. The development will deliver a five-star property together with branded residential units, aiming to elevate Bahrain’s premium tourism offerings and attract additional international visitors. Bahrain EDB statements position the scheme as a direct contributor to the kingdom’s tourism priority sector under its Economic Vision 2030 framework.
Digital City Bahrain will create a dedicated hub for information and communications technology, innovation and education, designed to draw clusters of technology companies through world-class infrastructure. The project forms part of broader efforts to accelerate the kingdom’s digital economy and foster knowledge-based industries. Organisers of Gateway Gulf 2026, hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, noted that the forum drew more than 200 ministers, officials, chief executives and investors over two days.
Finance and National Economy Minister Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa opened the event by highlighting the regulatory environment that has been refined over decades. “Over decades, we have built a framework that is clear, modern and fast, so investors can commit with confidence,” he said. The four Golden License projects announced at the close of proceedings form one element of wider investment momentum the forum is expected to generate across financial services, logistics, manufacturing, ICT and tourism.
The Golden License programme offers participating ventures expedited licensing, access to land and utilities, and dedicated support services from relevant authorities. Bahrain EDB data shows these incentives have helped attract successive waves of international capital since the scheme’s introduction three years ago. Officials indicated the latest awards would further embed Bahrain as a connective node for aviation between Asia and Europe while advancing its digital and tourism diversification goals.
