Gulf Daily News reported that USD 1.2 billion steel plant will go ahead in Bahrain, despite a council bid to block it.

The report cited Shaikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Khalifa assistant under secretary for Urban Planning in Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs Ministry as saying that the plant is consistent with the Economic Vision 2030 and national zoning map.

Shaikh Hamad said the zoning map was distributed to all the relevant authorities, including the council, before it was finalized.

Shaikh Hamad said “The map, which includes the new plant, was approved last year and ratified by minister Dr Juma Al Ka'abi and even published in the Official Gazette and our website www.urbanplanning.gov.bh.”

He added that “The plant will adhere to strict environmental guidelines as per the requirements set forth by the government. It is located in the southern most tip of the Industrial Area in Hidd and it has been zoned for industrial purposes since the establishment of the GIIC plant years ago. Therefore, as long as the investor complies with the official zoning list, there will not be a problem in issuing a building permit according to the law.”

Muharraq Municipal Council voted last month to refuse a building permit for the plant in Hidd, citing fears over the environmental impact.

The plant is being set up by the United Steel Company SULB, a joint venture between Bahrain based Gulf United Steel Holding Company (Foulath) and Japan's Yamato Kogyo Company. The factory will be situated adjacent to GIIC's pelletising plants and SULB's cold rolled stainless steel mill, both wholly owned subsidiaries of Foulath.

(Sourced from gulf-daily-news.com)