Meliá Amwaj hotel among four Bahrain Golden Licence projects worth $3.89bn

Manama, Bahrain - A waterfront hotel and branded residences scheme by Meliá in Amwaj and a technology hub called Digital City Bahrain are among four projects granted Golden Licences at Gateway Gulf 2026, which Bahrain says represent $3.89 billion (approximately BHD 1.46 billion) of investment.

The licences were announced as the forum opened its fourth edition at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it ran on 1-2 November 2026, according to the official release from Gateway Gulf's host.

Between them, the four schemes span real estate, technology and aviation logistics. Officials at the event said they expect them to support Bahrain's long-term growth and the diversification of its economy, and to strengthen the kingdom's appeal to high-value international investors.

Infracorp is Meliá's partner on the Amwaj project, which will combine a five-star hotel with residences carrying the Meliá brand. Officials said the waterfront scheme will add further to the premium tourism and lifestyle offer in Bahrain.

Digital City Bahrain plans a next-generation centre for education, innovation and information and communications technology (ICT). The announcement said the hub will have high-quality infrastructure and is meant to bring clusters of tech companies together, speed up the sector's expansion and develop the country's digital economy further.

At Bahrain International Airport, DHL will open its first and only regional site for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) work. It will serve the logistics group's expanding fleet and add capacity for worldwide operations run from Bahrain, and the announcement tied it to DHL's commitment to its MENA hub in the country.

The fourth licence goes to Capital A, which owns AirAsia, for three major aviation ventures. These are intended to improve links with Europe and the Far East, expand air cargo capacity as freight grows in phases and build up local aircraft MRO capability, steps officials said would strengthen Bahrain's role as an aviation hub for the region.

Gateway Gulf is an invitation-only event hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB). This year it drew more than 200 ministerial and senior government officials, chief executives and investors from around the world to look at high-value opportunities and partnerships across the Gulf.

Bahrain EDB said the kingdom's investment climate rests on what it calls the Team Bahrain approach, under which the public and private sectors work as partners to create conditions in which investment and enterprise can thrive. The board described itself as the link between government and investors, helping to turn opportunities into long-term growth.

That model is backed by continued spending on progressive regulation, digital transformation and future-ready talent, the EDB added. Non-oil activity makes up around 86% of Bahrain's GDP, a figure the board called a resilient foundation for sustainable growth.