Hawar Islands will witness a multi-million dinar development over the coming years, an official said. The Southern Area Development Company (SDC) is funding the development of tourist and leisure facilities in Hawar.

Among projects being considered are a luxury marina complex, a new five-star resort hotel, extensive leisure facilities, and a resort village, said SDC chairman Isa Sultan Al Dhawadi.

The proposed Danaat Hawar development, now in the advanced planning stage, aims to provide a unique and exclusive real estate opportunity for those seeking a marine-oriented lifestyle.

Danaat Hawar, said Al Dhawadi, would offer investors the opportunity of owning their own island. A cluster of reclaimed islands, each offering its own unique setting with exclusive beach and jetty facilities, is being planned and will be offered for sale in the near future.

But Al Dhawadi said the continued development of Hawar for tourism and leisure required improvement of transportation. In order to address this issue, a new company has recently been formed under the chairmanship of Housing, Municipalities and Environment Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.

Among the objectives of this company is the improvement and development of regular, high-quality ferry services for passengers, consumables and construction materials.

SDC's initial project was the construction in 1996-97 of the Hawar Resort Hotel, its apartments and other facilities, which are currently operated under a lease agreement by the Baisan Group.