Construction of a multi-million-dinar water and sports recreation site on the western shores of Bahrain is expected to begin as early as December.

The Economic Development Board (EDB) has said it will soon be accepting bids for the Al Jazair beach, recreation and watersports development.

EDB chief executive officer Jamal Al Hazeem said the EDB's vision was to develop Al Jazair as the "launching pad for Bahrain's tourism industry, transforming the country into the recreational and leisure destination of the Middle East."

"Al Jazair Beach is the only managed non-hotel-related public beach in Bahrain," he noted.

"Therefore, it is the most popular beach for both Bahrainis and visitors."

A lot of interest is expected for the project. "It is one of the very few beachfront properties left in Bahrain," he said.