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Bahrain Seeks to Become Research Leader with $1B Science and Technology Park

November 20, 2006

The Economic Development Board of Bahrain and Kuwait Finance House have begun planning a $1 billion (US) Science and Technology Park in Bahrain. The park will be modeled on the Sophia Antipolis Technology Park in France, which is the largest of its kind in Europe and the second-largest technology park in the world, according to the European Commission’s PAXIS innovation program. The Kuwait Finance House has appointed Philippe Mariani, former director of the French park to oversee the new project.

 

Bahrain Science and Technology Park has already announced several partnerships with Middle Eastern and European universities to attract research in clean technology, renewable energy, environmental technology, IT, and communications. The two million square meter campus will host small, medium and large companies in these and other emerging industries.

 

The project will be executed in three phases, though a final timeline has not yet been announced. The first phase will concentrate on the initial infrastructure for the park, while the later stages will introduce additional laboratories, university partnerships, and quality of life improvements. Project leaders believe that the park will attract international companies and build up the local knowledge base, and establish Bahrain as the science and technology hub of the region.

International