Al-Emadi to Al-Watan: Diyar Al-Muharraq’s performance in projects is in line with the timetables and plans set

Heba Mohsen – Photography: Naif Saleh

The achievement reflects our commitment to high standards of quality and careful planning

Diyar Al Muharraq is in line with Bahrain’s Vision 2030 as a model for sustainable development

An invitation to investors to discover the company’s projects in “Cityscape”

Waterfronts form the cornerstone of Diyar Al Muharraq’s identity

We aspire for Diyar Al Muharraq to be a model city in the region within 5 years

Diyar Al Muharraq CEO, Eng. Ahmed Ali Al Emadi, stressed the importance of the acceleration witnessed by the company in implementing projects such as “Al Naseem” and “Northern Islands,” noting that the company’s performance in these projects is fully consistent with the timetables and plans set, as the completion of the construction of villas in the Al Naseem project was recently celebrated in the presence of His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, and the start of handing over the villas of the third and final phase.

During an interview conducted by Al-Watan with Al-Emadi, he pointed out that the Northern Islands project, including the Al-Wasam project and the Suhail project, reflects Diyar Al-Muharraq’s vision of balanced expansion and completion of all stages of the master plan.

Al Emadi highlighted the role of waterfront projects in enhancing Diyar Al Muharraq’s identity, and the company’s interest in meeting the needs of different groups, especially the middle class, in addition to the sustainability and innovation strategies that the company adopts at all stages of development.

Below is the text of the dialogue:

We have recently witnessed an acceleration in the pace of work on projects such as “Al Naseem” and “Northern Islands.” How do you evaluate the company’s performance in implementing it compared to the timetable and established plans?

– We are proceeding according to a precise implementation plan that is fully consistent with the established timetables.

In the Al Naseem project, for example, we recently celebrated the presence of His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa to witness the completion of construction work on the project’s villas. We have begun delivering the villas of the third and final phase.

This achievement reflects our commitment to high standards of quality and precise planning, and the success of the work teams in achieving the project objectives on time.

As for the northern islands, we have begun implementing the secondary infrastructure for the Al Wasm project, which is considered one of the promising residential projects. We also recently launched the Suhail project, which provides new investment opportunities in land plots. These projects reflect Diyar Al Muharraq’s vision of balanced expansion and completion of all phases of the master plan at a sustainable and deliberate pace.

What role do waterfront projects play in shaping Diyar Al Muharraq’s identity as a leading developer in the Bahraini market?

The waterfronts are considered the cornerstone of Diyar Al Muharraq’s identity, as they are not just an aesthetic element, but rather part of an integrated urban vision that aims to provide an upscale and interconnected living experience.

Through our success story in the Al Bareh residential project, which is considered one of the finest and most luxurious residential projects in the Kingdom, Al Naseem Villas, the Muzoon project, Al Wasm and now Suhail, we were able to integrate the coastal environment and lifestyle on the waterfronts into urban design to be part of the residents’ daily lifestyle. These projects reflect the spirit of modern Bahrain, and enhance Diyar Al Muharraq’s position as a leading developer that combines quality planning, space innovation, and sustainability in implementation.

With the high demand for quality housing, is Diyar Al Muharraq considering launching projects targeting the middle class at more competitive prices?

– Yes, we pay special attention to expanding the scope of residential projects to meet the needs of various segments, including the middle class.

The Al Wasm project is a clear example of this, as it provides flexible residential lands at competitive prices that allow citizens to build their homes within their capabilities and according to their needs.

We also work in cooperation with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and local banks to provide flexible financing solutions within programs such as TasHeel+, which contributes to raising the rates of citizens owning their homes within a city with integrated services and infrastructure.

What are the most prominent lessons that you learned from during the implementation of previous projects, and are you working to apply them in the next stages of development?

One of the most prominent lessons we have gained is the importance of flexibility in planning, design and implementation, especially in light of local and global economic variables. We also learned that sustainability must be a basic principle from the early stages of design, and not just a later element in the project.

Also, experience has demonstrated the importance of creating a collaborative environment with partners, including contractors, consultants, and regulatory bodies, to ensure speed of completion and quality of implementation. These principles have become part of our development philosophy, and we are keen to apply them in all future stages of work.

How does Diyar Al Muharraq translate the concept of sustainability from just a slogan into actual practice in its projects, especially with regard to energy, water and infrastructure management?

Sustainability for us is not a slogan, but rather a real practice on the ground. An example of this is in the Al Naseem project, where we installed solar-powered lighting poles, which greatly reduced operational energy consumption.

We also developed a gravity-based sewerage network that reduces electricity consumption and increases efficiency, and we connected the city to the wastewater treatment plant in Muharraq to reuse the treated water to irrigate green areas.

These are some examples of initiatives that aim to build an integrated, environmentally friendly urban environment, and establish the concept of a smart, sustainable city at the level of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The work team continues to search for the latest and most appropriate modern methods of sustainability that will enable us to build a comprehensive future city that will be passed down for generations.

Is there a trend to adopt smart building technologies or sustainable city solutions within the next stages of development?

– Certainly, we clearly adopt the trend of smart cities and modern technologies in construction. This year, we signed an agreement with the Chinese company CNEEC to study the use of 3D printing technology in developing residential projects, including implementing a pilot unit to measure the effectiveness of the technology in terms of cost, time and construction quality.

We have also begun implementing smart electricity meters in a number of communities, and we are working to create an integrated digital infrastructure that supports smart control of resource consumption. These steps put us on an advanced path towards achieving the sustainable city model in Bahrain.

In light of the global trend towards reducing the carbon footprint, what measures has Deyaar taken to reduce the environmental impact of its projects?

We are committed to responsible environmental management that includes all stages of development. We launched the first solar-powered irrigation system in Bahrain that uses treated water to irrigate green spaces, reducing fresh water and electricity consumption, and preserving the coastal environment.

Also out of our concern for the carbon footprint, we signed an agreement in November 2023 with Clenergize to provide consulting services in the field of solar energy. The agreement stipulates that Clenergize will evaluate Diyar Al Muharraq’s performance with regard to alternative energy fields. Environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG), sustainability and energy efficiency, then providing recommendations and monitoring progress with a focus on sustainability.

We also designed our residential neighborhoods so that basic facilities and services are close to residents, reducing the need to use vehicles and carbon emissions.

We cooperate with local environmental institutions to protect natural systems and marine life in the region. These efforts come in line with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s national goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

Does Diyar Al Muharraq have plans to attract investment partners or developers involved in some of the upcoming major projects?

– Of course, we always welcome investment partnerships and developers who share the same vision. We are currently working to expand joint development opportunities in waterfront and northern island projects, providing investors with opportunities to contribute to the construction, marketing and operation phases.

These partnerships open the way for exchanging experiences and expanding the investment base within the city. They also contribute to accelerating the pace of implementation and achieving greater economic returns for the Kingdom. We look forward to meeting various real estate investors and developers soon at Cityscape, Bahrain.

We have witnessed frequent cooperation with local banks to provide flexible financing solutions. Is there a trend to expand these partnerships or introduce new financing models such as real estate bonds?

Our partnerships with local banks are among the basic pillars of our strategy. We have recently concluded agreements with several local banks to provide flexible financing solutions for projects such as Al Wasem and S’hail.

At the same time, we are considering introducing innovative financing models such as real estate sukuk, which will allow us to attract new investors from local, regional and international capital markets. This trend enhances our financing flexibility and supports our sustainable expansion plans.

How do you view the level of confidence of individual and institutional investors in Diyar Al Muharraq projects currently, especially after the increase in demand for real estate in Bahrain in the past two years?

– Investor confidence in Diyar Al Muharraq projects is constantly increasing.

According to the Real Estate Regulatory Agency’s report for the year 2024, Diyar Al Muharraq topped the list of the most popular projects in Bahrain. This performance reflects the market’s confidence in the quality of our projects and the diversity of our products between residential, commercial and services.

The development of major infrastructure, such as the Muharraq Ring Road, has also contributed to enhancing ease of access to the city and increasing its attractiveness to investors and residents alike.

With the increasing competition between major projects in Bahrain, how does Deyaar maintain its distinction and leadership position in the market?

– What distinguishes Diyar Al Muharraq is that it is an integrated city that combines housing, work and entertainment in one integrated place. We do not just develop real estate projects, but rather a city with a cohesive identity and self-sufficient infrastructure.

We are also keen to implement design governance through the Technical Coordination Office, which ensures the preservation of the visual environment and the quality of architectural standards in all neighborhoods. This commitment maintains a higher value for real estate assets, and enhances the confidence of investors and residents in the long-term sustainability of the project.

What is your assessment of the impact of Bahraini government initiatives, such as real estate financing facilities, on the sales movement in your projects?

– Government initiatives had a direct and clear impact on the real estate market as a whole, and on our projects in particular. Real estate financing facilities helped enhance the purchasing power of citizens and increase the demand for ownership, especially the programs of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, most notably the TasHeel+ program.

The golden residency visa also contributed to attracting foreign investors wishing to own property, while the opening of the new Muharraq Ring Road enhanced ease of access to the city. All of these factors combined contributed to the increase in our sales and the continued strong demand for Diyar Al Muharraq projects.

How are Diyar Al Muharraq’s plans in line with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030?

Diyar Al Muharraq is considered one of the real models for embodying Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, because it combines sustainable urban development with balanced economic growth. We contribute to achieving the vision by developing an integrated city that offers residential, investment and commercial opportunities in a smart urban planning environment.

Our strategy is based on supporting economic diversification by attracting local and foreign investments, and providing a modern business environment that creates new opportunities in the fields of contracting, engineering, retail, and services.

At the same time, we preserve the authentic Bahraini identity in every detail of urban design and planning. The city’s master plan also includes advanced educational, health and entertainment facilities.

Sustainability in energy, water, and infrastructure, fully consistent with the three pillars of the vision: sustainability, competitiveness, and justice. What image do you aspire for Diyar Al Muharraq to be during the next five years? – During the next five years, we aspire for Diyar Al Muharraq to be a model city in the region, embodying the concept of integrated life in terms of housing, work and entertainment.

We plan to complete the delivery of all residential projects under development such as Al Wasm and Suhail, in addition to launching new communities that adopt digital and smart solutions in management and services.

We are also working to strengthen our position as a premier investment destination in Bahrain, not only in terms of trading volume, but also in terms of real estate value and the distinguished lifestyle that we offer. Our goal is to establish Diyar Al Muharraq as a symbol of quality life in the Kingdom, and a major attraction for investors and families looking for an upscale and sustainable environment that combines modernity and Bahraini privacy.

What message would you like to deliver to investors and visitors during “Cityscape” this year?

My message to investors and visitors is that Diyar Al Muharraq today represents the most distinguished and diverse investment destination in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

We have built a model that combines investment security, rewarding returns, and integrated long-term planning. We offer various opportunities, including residential and commercial land plots, and integrated projects that combine housing, hospitality, and entertainment, within a regulated investment environment governed by precise development controls that maintain the quality of the projects in the long term.

We believe that investing in Diyar Al Muharraq is an investment in Bahrain’s real estate future, and in a city that represents one of the most important tributaries of sustainable growth in the Kingdom.

We invite everyone to visit our booth at Cityscape this year to discover the new projects we are launching and the upcoming partnership opportunities that we are proud to present to investors.