Bahrain’s Ministry of Housing has awarded the main construction contract for the first phase of its Al-Ramli housing project, according to a statement released on the Bahrain News Agency (BNA).

The contract for the $150m housing scheme was awarded to a local joint venture made up of Al-Mezeal Construction and Services, Al-Haddad Construction Company, Mohammed Saif Ajlan al-Mannai and Al-Nisr Construction company.

The scope of the work involves the construction of 1,265 housing units and all associated facilities.

The 1 million square metre Al-Ramli housing project is among five major cities being developed by the ministry. Other housing developments include projects in the Northern City, Al Hidd City, East Sitra City and the Southern City to address the shortage of affordable houses across Bahrain.

The project is being funded by the Saudi Development Fund (SFD) while many schemes under the housing ministry are being supported by GCC funding.

In 2016 MEED reported that Kuwait Finance House (KFH) will finance the construction of 3,000 residential units in Bahrain. KFH said it would fund the Deerat al-Oyoun project in Diyar al-Muharraq.