Pinoy contractors eyed for Bahrain projects

If talks between Philippine and Bahrain officials prove successful, Filipino contractors may get opportunities to work on Bahrain's ongoing social housing project, a news release of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday.   Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Ma. Corazon Bahjin discussed the matter during a courtesy call to Housing Minister Basim Yacoub Al Hamer in Manama last February 16. Under the social housing project, Bahrain's government plans to build 4,100 housing units in various places in the country for its citizens in three years.   It is the Bahraini government's top-priority infrastructure plan under its Public-Private Partnership program.   The project was awarded to a consortium led by Naseej, a major real estate developer in the Middle East.   "(Bahjin) discussed with (Basim) how Filipino contractors could participate in the housing projects and possibly be part of the consortium," the DFA said. "She emphasized that the Philippines boasts of highly qualified real estate developers and construction companies, architectural and engineering service providers that could partner with Bahraini companies in exploring business and investment opportunities in the real estate development and construction projects," the DFA added.   The DFA said Bahrain's housing minister "expressed gratitude for the Embassy officials' visit and looks forward for a more active engagement in the near future."   During her call, Bahjin had exchanged views with the Minister on Bahrain's social housing project and other issues of common concern.   Meanwhile, Bahjin invited the Minister to visit the Philippines and see for himself the development of social housing project in the country, including the Gawad Kalinga project.   With Bahjin at her courtesy call were Consul Raquel Solano and Attaché Lazaro Villalobos. - VVP, GMA News