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H.E Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities (BACA) received at her office on 4 June 2017, the Minister of Works, Municipality Affairs and Urban Planning Dr. Esam Khalaf, in the presence of staff members of BACA and the Ministry of Works. H.E underlined the need for integrated roles and concerted efforts to preserve Bahrain's cultural and civilizational achievements through various projects. The meeting also discussed common cooperation measures aimed at promoting Bahrain as a pioneering regional and international destination for cultural tourism.

The meeting discussions focused on enhancing cooperation to preserve Bahrain's glorious urban architectural heritage, and the need for concerted efforts to promote the national identity through various projects. It also reviewed and followed up the progress of work on the Pearling: Testimony of an Island Economy”, a UNESCO World Heritage List propjet, an iconic route, which is scheduled to be complete in 2018, and a key milestone of Muharraq, celebrated as Capital of Islamic Culture in 2018. They also reviewed major developments with regard to Muharraq public parking lots, public spaces and the beautification of building facades over 3 kilometres in Muharraq. The area surrounding the National Theater and the works undergone stressed the importance of keeping the pace around the most iconic cultural aspect of Bahrain. Statues and art models installed in public places, photographing or otherwise reproducing the model of the sculpture to be showcased during next year’s Islamic Culture Capital, together with other projects in 2018, such as Zuha Hadid Modern Art Museum were also discussed during the meeting.

H.E Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammad Al- Khalifa stressed the need and importance of communication between the different sectors in order to help in promoting comprehensive coordination between Bahrain’s institutions. Such constructive work would lead to successful organization of all activities and events contributing to making Bahrain an exceptional and unique destination in the region. H.E lauded the strenuous efforts deployed by the Ministry of Works to implement and carry out Bahrain’s cultural infrastructure projects. H.E also praised the cooperation efforts between BACA and the Works Ministry in this respect, thanking the Minister of Works, Municipality Affairs and Urban Planning for his contribution to upgrading Bahrain's cultural infrastructure.

H.E Esam Khalaf, Minister of Works, for his part lauded the strenuous efforts deployed by BACA to make Bahrain a pioneering cultural hub and preferred destination, voicing his readiness to cooperate with the Authority with regard to future cultural projects. Then, the delegation made visit to the Pearling Path Exhibition, showcased at Bahrain National Museum, open daily from 8:00-am-2:00 pm. The exhibition showcases the built vision for the site through architectural models, images, studies and mock-ups of the different components of the project. From the conservation aspects to the new architectural interventions, the exhibition will give an indepth overview of this unique project that aims to spearhead the rehabilitation of the Old City of Muharraq.