BAHRAIN has approved 674 new infrastructure projects worth BD640 million ($1.6 billion) this year, it was revealed.

The projects are part of plans for major urban development with improved sustainable infrastructure, according to a report in the Gulf Daily News.

The projects include hotels, buildings and residential properties, Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Minister Dr Juma Al Ka’abi said.

The newspaper also reported that around 77 per cent of projects under Bahrain’s Government Action Plan stand completed at the end of June 2014, an increase of four per cent from 73 per cent at the end of December last year.

The report was based on a Cabinet review on the implementation of the plan in 38 ministries and government entities.

The report said the number of projects registered between 2011 and 2014 was 1,024, while 102 long-term projects would be completed as part of the plan for 2015 to 2018.

“The implementation of some projects was extended and would be completed as part of the plan,” said Minister of State for Information Affairs and official government spokeswoman Sameera Rajab.

“Twenty-five projects only were delayed and would be completed by mid-2014,” she said.

Meanwhile, Bahrain’s construction sector has grown by 40 per cent since January, a report said ahead of a major construction event. The figures were released as Bahrain steps up preparations for the annual GCC Construction Conference next month.

In another report, inspectors visited 14,532 sites and recorded 266 violations involving 652 workers since the summer work ban on construction between noon and 4 pm came into effect on July 1, said Labour Ministry labour inspections manager and trade union director Ahmed Al Hayki.