Bahrain Works Minister inspects track floodlighting project at BIC
Suad Hamada (Bahrain Beat) / 9 February 2014
Minister of Works Eng. Essam bin Abdulla Khalaf visited Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir, accompanied by the Circuit chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa this week.
The purpose of the visit was to monitor progress on the track lighting project currently underway to provide full HDTV standard lighting to the Formula One track.
The minister said that work, commenced in September 2013, is being executed on priority basis to host the Grand Prix race at night to mark the tenth anniversary of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix due to be held on the April 16, 2014.
The project is being managed by the ministry of works. A total of 5,000 lights, ranging in height from 10 to 45 metres, will be installed. The lights are connected by over 400km of cabling with 20 new small sub-stations housing the switchgear and generators.
Other improvements include upgradation of existing spectator and vending area lighting, installation of new effect lighting to enhance the visual spectacle of night-time racing.
Conference on dialogue among civilisations
Bahrain will host a major conference on dialogue among civilisations and cultures in May.
The global event will be held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain.
Leading international organisations, foundations, think tanks and prominent intellectuals and scholars will converge on Manama to attend the conference.
Chaired by Shaikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the high organising committee is stepping up efforts to ensure the success of the event.
The sub-committee has already submitted a list of participants who are expected to take part in the event. The organising panel has also approved a series of events which will be held on the sidelines of the conference.
A collection of Arabic and English books highlighting Bahrain’s rich history as a beacon of civilisations and religion will hit the shelves.
A book enclosing all the conference research papers will also be published, in addition to another media book documenting the conference.
National Evangelical Church Reverend Priest Hani Aziz, also organising committee member, paid tributes to King Hamad for initiating such important human initiatives. He commended the positive response of different parties to attend the conference, adding that Bahrain has all the credentials to host such a global conference which seeks to disseminate peace and tolerance among peoples, religions, cultures and civilisations.
‘Manama… Capital of Asian Tourism’ to be launched
Preparations are underway to launch “Manama … Capital of Asian Tourism” this month.
Assistant Undersecretary for Tourism Shaikh Khalid bin Humood Al Khalifa has met Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) secretary-general Bundit Limschoon and discussed preparations to launch the continental event.
Foreign Ministry Assistant-Undersecretary for Arab and Afro-Asian Affairs and Organisations Shaikha Rana Al Khalifa attended the session. The ACD, which convened in Bahrain on November 26, had declared “Manama … Capital of Asian Tourism2014”. Culture Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa had then submitted a proposal in this regard, winning the approval of 33 states taking part in the (ACD) symposium.
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