289 Spaces Set for Food Trucks

TDT | Manama

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New regulation drive gives operators until January to complete requirements and secure approved locations

The Northern Municipal Council reviewed new measures to regulate Bahrain’s food truck sector, giving operators until January 2027 to meet the required conditions.

Northern Area Municipality Director General Eng. Mohammed Saad Al Sahli said 289 designated spaces have been allocated nationwide for food trucks, with applications for locations handled online.

The sector expanded rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with around 400 commercial registrations issued by January 2022, compared with about 150 trucks registered with the General Directorate of Traffic.

Authorities said the new system will use existing health, Civil Defence, Traffic and municipal requirements rather than introduce additional regulations. Health and Civil Defence inspections will be followed by vehicle checks from Traffic, while municipalities will approve locations after the requirements are completed.

A six-month grace period and awareness campaign are currently under way; compliance will become mandatory afterward.

Competition

Northern Municipal Council members have raised concerns about competition between established restaurants and independent food truck operators as Bahrain moves to regulate the sector.

Council member Basem Ali Abuidrees questioned the policy allowing some businesses with existing restaurant commercial registrations to operate food trucks.

He argued that small independent operators could face difficulties competing with larger restaurants with significantly higher revenues and established operations.

Director General confirmed that some commercial registrations currently allow their holders to operate food trucks, noting that the issue of fair competition was separate from the regulatory process.

Members also called for more designated food truck locations, including in Saar and Hamad Town, to reduce the need for operators to travel to locations such as Malkiya and Abu Subh.