Large-scale development projects across a wide range of sectors valued at $32 billion are in the pipeline, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication, citing a senior minister.

These include construction of a second causeway comprising a new road and rail link between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia that will connect to the proposed GCC rail network, said Zayed Al Zayani, the kingdom's Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister.

Work has already started on Bahrain International Airport (BIA) expansion project, aimed at boosting the airport's capacity to accommodate 14 million passengers a year, he added.