At the beginning of the year of 2011 Bahrain announced it was to spend more than BD5 billion over the next two years. Total spending was expected to reach BD5.3bn for the year and 2012, announced Finance Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa the Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander opened the Riffa Views International School.
A long planned 40km causeway linking Qatar, set to host soccer’s 2022 World Cup, and Bahrain was given the green light.
The Al Malkiya housing project was launched with the laying of the foundation stone by HRH Prince Salman, the foundation stone of a BD2.5 million centre for genetic blood disorders was laid at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC). The hematology centre will be able to treat more than 14,000 sickle cell disease patients and others once it opens.
His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa ordered 1,000 houses to be distributed to the needy.
Bahrain stepped up its oil exploration programme by drilling 25 new wells.
HRH Prince Salman patronized a ceremony to distributed new housing units at Wadi Al Sail to BDF personnel.
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa ordered fee exemption for 1,000 more university students. Their fees will be paid from the University Student Fund.
World champion Maryam Yusuf Jamal kick started her season in superb fashion with an impressive victory at the Golden Gala Diamond League meeting in Rome. The 26-year-old Bahraini not only stormed to first place amongst an ultra competitive field in the women’s 1,500 metres, she also clocked the year’s fastest time in the world.
His Majesty King Hamad issued directives for BD1,000 to be paid for each Bahraini Family, and Bahrain celebrated the 10th anniversary of the National Action Charter in February.
An urgent call to end the violence went out from HRH Prince Salman. He invited all parties to the table for talks as he appeared on Bahrain TV to answer questions about the crisis that gripped the country at that time.
Bahrain Grand Prix organizers cancelled the March 13 opening race of the Formula One season so that the country can concentrate on its process of national dialogue.
Thousands of people braved the heat in July to attend a massive rally in Arad called by the National Unity Assembly. Its chairman Dr. Abdullatif Al Mahmood used the event to welcome an independent inquiry into Bahrain’s unrest and urged participants to report any rights violations to its own fact-finding panel, to be submitted to the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry.
His Majesty King Hamad declared a three month state of emergency across the country. He delegated BDF commander in Chief Marshal Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa ‘to take necessary measures to protect national security and people’s safety’.
The monument at the centre of the GCC roundabout, which had become a focal point for protestors, was pulled down by authorities ‘to optimize services, improve the infrastructure and boost flow of traffic’.
Work on major project linking Bahrain’s financial district to Muharraq resumed after being stalled by unrest. Among them a BD98m North Manama Causeway project, which includes the building of a 2.4km six lane highway and three bridges.
The Housing Minister was given the green light to build new cities across Bahrain. HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa ordered work on the mega schemes to proceeds, given priority to the Northern Town.
The first phase of a multi-million dinar inter-change in Isa Town was declared complete in May. HRH the Premier opened the 560-metre long Isa town underpass.
Bahrain stepped up efforts to bolster its international credit ratings and revitalize the national economy. The Cabinet approved a strong measure to promote Bahrain’s standing and address economic development issues.
Bahrain unveiled an ambitious new strategy to invest in vital oil and gas sectors. HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa outlined the drive as he launched the ship Bahrain Vision.
May was the hottest month in Bahrain since records began more than 100 years ago!
His Majesty King Hamad approved parliamentary reforms. He also ordered a pay rise for civilian and military government employees.
The biggest public sector pay rises in Bahrain’s history were announced as part of BD200million package. The increase meant a maximum of 36.5% extra in civil servants’ wage packets, and 37.5% for pensioners.
Bahrain’s Cabinet gave the green light for an extra BD325million budget allocation to cover public sector pay increases. It also approved raising Bahrain’s borrowing ceiling from BD2,500 million to BD3,500million to help pay for implementation of national Dialogue initiatives.
The BASF antioxidant blends plant at Bahrain International Investment Park was officially inaugurated by Industry and commerce Minister Dr. Hassan Fakhro. Construction of the new 15,000 square metre facility will create one of the largest plants of its kind in the world with an annual capacity of 16,000 metric tons.
The country rallied to celebrate the success of parliament by elections with turnout standing at 51.4%. The Cabinet congratulated His Majesty King Hamad on the successful polls.
Bahrain made history in October after three women were elected to parliament in the by-elections. Dr. Somaya Al Jowdar and Ebtisam Hijris won dramatic second round victories to bring the number of female MPs to four. They joined Sawsan Taqwi, who won unopposed in the first round of voting, and long-standing MP Latifa Al Gauod.
Project Falcon, the new BD19million tissue production plant at the Olayan Kimberly-Clark facility in Bahrain, was officially opened by Industry and Commerce Minister Dr. Hassan Fakhro. The new production line will be able to create 31,000 tons of items covering Kleenex tissues and other family comfort products for the company which currently has a $300m turnover in the GCC where it holds 23% of the market.
The Premier launched a string of key development projects benefitting the villages if Jaw, Askar and Al Dur as well as the southern region. He gave the green light for work to start on 800 units, as part of the second phase of Jaw and Askar housing project.
Gulf Air became the world’s first airline to offer a global live television service during its flights. The multi-million dinar project launched on board one of the airline’s A330-200 planes allows passengers to access emails, send text message, make phone calls, surge the Web and watch live football matches at 37,000 feet.
The Bahrain Logistics Zone (BLZ) won the Free Zone Authority Award at one of the industry’s most prestigious award events. The General Organization of Sea Ports’ (GOP) dedicated logistics facility won the award at the Sea trade Middle East and Indian Subcontinent Awards 2011 held at Atlantis Hotel, Dubai.
His Majesty King Hamad vowed major reforms following findings by the independent commission of inquiry into Bahrain’s unrest. He said laws would be reviewed and, if necessary, revised.
Bahrain Olympic Committee won the Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Sport Creativity Award for the best Arab sporting institution, while BOC Honorary President Shaikh Isa bin Rashid Al Khalifa landed the award for top Arab sports personality.