Mubasher: Bahrain awarded 769 tenders worth a total of $1.7 billion in the first half (H1) of 2020, according to recent data released by Bahrain’s Tender Board, the kingdom's government procurement regulator.

The construction and engineering sector contributed the highest share of contracts in H1 of the year with awarded tenders totalling around $588.3 million, according to a press release on Tuesday.

The oil and gas sector came next with a total of $416.3 million of awarded tenders, followed by the materials and equipment sector and the services sector with $292.6 million and $202.4 million, respectively. The aviation sector registered $172.2 million worth of awards.  

Meanwhile, Chairman of Tender Board Shaikh Nayef bin Khalid Al Khalifa, said: “Bahrain awarded a total of 47 public tenders worth a combined $21.8 million to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as per the cabinet decision to assign some public spending to the SME sector.”

In terms of tenders’ value, Tatweer Petroleum topped the list with $396.5 million, followed by the Electricity and Water Authority with $305.3 million, and subsequently the Ministry of Housing with $238.6 million.

Some of the key service projects settled by the board include wrapping up several tenders to implement construction and maintenance works at residential units worth a combined $238 million, as well as $297 million worth of awarded bids in the fields of sewage works, infrastructure, and electricity and water services.