Bahrain Pushes Ahead with Smarter Building Permits Through "Benayat" Platform

TDT | Manama

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The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture is ramping up its digital transformation efforts to improve user experience and streamline services, according to Undersecretary for Municipalities Affairs, Engineer Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.

Speaking during a workshop hosted in coordination with the Information & eGovernment Authority and the Bahrain Real Estate Development Association, Shaikh Mohammed highlighted the ongoing success of the "Benayat" platform — Bahrain’s national system for issuing building permits. He emphasized how the platform has positively impacted service efficiency and quality.

The workshop brought together real estate developers and investors to learn more about the technical and regulatory procedures for obtaining building licenses through the system. It also introduced new updates that aim to improve the experience for customers, engineering firms, and investors alike.

“Our goal is to simplify processes and provide faster, more reliable services,” said Shaikh Mohammed. “This requires strong cooperation between government institutions and private sector partners, especially as we continue to adapt to new technologies.”

Officials from the Information & eGovernment Authority gave a detailed presentation on how the "Benayat" system works. The platform allows property owners to apply for various building permits — including small-scale additions, renovations, fencing, property merging or division, and changes in land use. It also features tools to track application status and navigate Bahrain's interactive geographic map.

Engineer Arif Ahmed Hujairis, President of the Bahrain Real Estate Development Association, praised the Ministry’s efforts to streamline licensing and improve service quality for both citizens and residents. He stressed the importance of the ongoing partnership between the ministry and the association in strengthening Bahrain’s real estate and investment landscape.

The "Benayat" system is a unified platform for managing all types of building licenses in the Kingdom. It enables engineering offices and property owners to submit and track applications online, pay fees, and access regulatory requirements using a nationwide interactive map.

Notably, the platform is backed by a national geographic information database containing over 300 spatial data layers, supporting more than 30 public and private entities. This integration helps speed up procedures, enhance planning efforts, and improve the quality of public services in line with Bahrain’s sustainable development goals.