Culture Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa opened Karim Naseef Ice-cream and Saffron Café in the old Manama Suq.
Mohammed bin Fares band staged a musical show as part of the inaugural ceremony. The new outlets are part of the ministry’s plans to revamp historic locations and iconic archaeological sites and revive popular café and restaurants to attract tourists and residents.
The ministry will launch a series of tourism programmes, including a plan to revamp the old postal premises along with Bab Al-Bahrain in March.
“The project will promote the revival of the iconic Manama Suq sites, which date back the era of late Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa”, Shaikha Mai said.
She revealed that the Arab and World Tourism Organisations would open offices in Manama Suq, in March, in addition to an information centre.
The ministry has lined up a series of activities and events to celebrate the Manama, Capital of Arab Tourism 2013.
It also plans to hold Bab Al-Bahrain Suq Festival as part of the Spring of Culture, featuring a series of artistic and cultural activities and events.