His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa issued decree 77 of 2017 establishing the High Committee for the Development of Hawar Islands. Supreme Council for the Environment (SCE) President His Highness Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa will chair the newly-established panel which includes as members, the Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and urban Planning, the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, the Economic Development Board (EDB) Chief Executive Officer, in addition to a number of businessmen who shall be appointed by the committee president.

The committee is tasked to develop Hawar Islands with the aim of creating a model of sustainable tourism and optimize its exploitation as a premium tourism hub – in line with Bahrain’ development plans and general policy. 

The decree mandates the committee to propose strategies to optimize the touristic exploitation of the islands, develop infrastructure, provide transportation, set the terms and conditions for tourism investment, suggest promotional programmes to mark the milestone and attract tourism projects – without infringing upon the marine resources or compromising the protection of the environment or wildlife. 

The decree stipulated the establishment of an executive committee, chaired by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority (BTEA) Chief Executive Officer. The panel includes as members the SCE Chief Executive, The Undersecretary for Works, the Coastguard Commander, the Electricity and Water Authority Deputy CEO and the Military Works director.