*** ----> BD1.46bn tenders awarded in 2016 | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

BD1.46bn tenders awarded in 2016

Manama : The Tender Board of Bahrain yesterday released its Annual Report for 2016 announcing that it has awarded a total of 1661 tenders, worth around BD1.46 billion, during the year, with the number of bids received by the board reaching 5320. 

Gulf Air, the Ministry of Housing, the Bahrain Gas Company, Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, and the Electricity and Water Authority topped the list of government entities in tender value.

The total number of opened tenders, according to the report titled ‘Equal Opportunities with Full Transparency’, was 999, amounting to BD2.88 billion.

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The details were revealed during a press conference held to announce the board’s future strategies, which form part of the development plan approved by Cabinet, at its new headquarters in Arcapita building. 

“We are aiming to provide the best possible support to our partners and customers through simplifying procedures and seeking greater efficiencies,” said Basim bin Yacob Al Hamer, Minister of Housing and Chairman of Tender Board said, adding: “The approval of our development plan is another step forward for us in achieving this goal.”

He told the reporters that the board is looking forward to increasing its flexibility by employing “wider use of technology”. 

Explaining, Hayam Al Awadhi, Secretary General of the Tender Board said, “We will be launching our new website which will provide a new level of innovation and a digital window through which we will welcome our partners and clients.”

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This, Al Awadhi, said allows the board to provide the latest news, insights and updates in real-time.

When asked about other plans,  Al Hamer said works are in progress to respond to all correspondence received by the board as soon as possible.

“About 93% of these correspondences are answered within two weeks,” the minister said, adding that the board receives an average of 100 requests per week. 

“101 meetings were held during the sixth session starting from 6th October 2015 to 9th November 2017,” Alhamer said. 

The Tender Board is an independent body established by Royal Decree, 7 January 2003.