Bahrain Awards Four Licences for $3.89B Projects

Bahrain awarded Golden Licences to four projects worth a combined $3.89 billion at the Gateway Gulf 2026 investment forum, as it seeks to diversify its economy and attract high-value investment. The projects include a DHL aircraft maintenance and repair facility at Bahrain International Airport; three aviation, air-cargo and maintenance initiatives led by Capital A, the parent of AirAsia; a Meliá-Infracorp hotel and branded-residences development on Amwaj Islands; and Digital City Bahrain, a planned hub for technology, innovation and education. Launched in 2023, the licence program offers eligible large-scale projects streamlined government services and other support, with qualification based on investment value or job creation. The forum’s organizers said it brought together more than 200 officials, executives and investors, while Bahrain’s crown prince said it would generate more than 110 announcements valued at over $20 billion.