Bahrain will today (August 23) sign contracts to carry out housing projects worth more than $395 million funded by the Gulf Development Programme.

The signing will take place under the patronage of Deputy Prime Minister and head of the ministerial committee for construction and infrastructure Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, a BNA report said.

Seven contracts will be concluded by the Housing Ministry, represented by Housing Minister Bassim bin Yaqoob Al Hamar, and Bahraini, Kuwaiti, Emirati and international contracting companies.

The signing ceremony, at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, will be attended by representatives from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development ((KFAED), ministers, senior officials and invitees.

Al Hamar said the $293 million Kuwait-funded projects will include 1,247 housing units in East Hidd and the construction of another 1,645 housing units and implementing infrastructure work in Hidd.

Meanwhile, three contracts will be signed to carry out housing and infrastructure projects worth more than $102 million funded by the UAE.

The Housing Minister praised the Gulf Development Programme and its role in fast-tracking projects and reducing the waiting period for housing, in line with the Royal order to provide 40,000 homes for citizens by implementing housing projects nationwide.