Municipalities and Agriculture minister Dr Juma Al Ka'abi last night revealed a 'one plan' initiative by his ministry saying it will be developed to 'integrate' all plans.
The minster was speaking during the monthly meeting of the Bahrain Businessmen Association (BBA) at the Beit Al Quran in Diplomatic Area.
"The plan, which is now being developed by a team of consultants led by US company Skidmore Owings and Merrill, will look into several areas, including building up distinct communities, create a transparent strategy and define a common public waterfront for the entire country, among others."
Dr Al Ka'abi highlighted the importance of such a plan, which had the blessings of the Economic Development Board, and said it would also look at greening Bahrain, protect its cultural heritage and set up a transport strategy throughout the country, with an emphasis on mass rapid transport through a network of roads and other facilities.
"We are poised for a tremendous leap into the future and as such have to have a plan that will take us forward," he said. "This is one such initiative, which will soon be followed by other steps."
The minister said also on the anvil was a comprehensive plan to earmark clearly demarcated industrial areas, which would be set up around the present locations of the GPIC and Alba.
"The public waterfront would mean that all the coastal areas in the country, from Juffair, to Manama, to Tubli, would be linked."
He said the transport network would consist of modern buses as well as other modes of transport and green belts would be created to enhance the country's beauty.
"We are now in the process of setting up this plan and will soon finalise it."
Earlier, the minister was welcomed to the event by BBA chairman Khalid Almoayyed.
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