New Parking Fees Introduced at Manama Central Market: Traders Warn of Rising Costs

Email: online@newsofbahrain.com

The Capital Trustees Authority has introduced a new fee structure for truck parking at the Manama Central Market to ease chronic congestion and improve the efficiency of loading operations. Under the new regulations, managed by the government-owned company Amakin, trucks are now charged BD 10 for the first 12 hours, followed by BD 2 for each additional hour, with a BD 50 penalty for lost tickets.

While officials frame the move as a necessary organisational step to ensure fair access and prevent the monopolisation of spaces, the decision has sparked significant concern among local merchants and traders.

Critics, supported by Strategic Thinking Bloc spokesman MP Khalid Bu Onk, argue that the sharp increase in logistics costs threatens the stability of the fruit and vegetable market, which typically operates on narrow profit margins. There are growing fears that these overheads will eventually lead to higher prices for consumers.

Despite these concerns, the Authority maintains that the measures were developed through prior consultation with stakeholders and has pledged to continue a dialogue with merchants to balance regulatory requirements with the market's commercial sustainability.