Tender Issuing Authorities and Government Buyers in Bahrain
Complete List of Tender Issuing Authorities & Government Buyers in Bahrain
Discover all major tender issuing authorities in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This comprehensive directory covers the Bahrain Tender Board, government ministries, state owned enterprises, municipalities and international organisations actively issuing tenders, RFPs, contract awards and procurement opportunities.
Bahrain offers a highly transparent and business friendly procurement environment in the GCC with centralised oversight through the BTB. The country continues to invest heavily in infrastructure, energy, housing, healthcare and digital transformation under Vision 2030.
Major Tender Issuing Authorities in Bahrain
Key Ministries- Ministry of Works - Infrastructure, roads, bridges, government buildings, drainage projects
- Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning - Housing projects, urban development, real estate
- Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications - Airports, ports, roads, telecom infrastructure
- Ministry of Health / Supreme Council of Health - Medical equipment, hospitals, healthcare services
- Ministry of Education - Schools, universities, educational technology, training programs
- Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs - Municipal services, waste management, agriculture projects
- Ministry of Interior (including Customs Affairs) - Security systems, vehicles, logistics, border infrastructure
- Ministry of Oil and Environment - Energy and environmental projects
- Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) - Refining, Upstream & Gas Expansion - One of the largest tender issuers in energy sector (refinery upgrades, oil & gas services, maintenance, EPC contracts)
- Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) - Power generation, desalination plants, electricity & water distribution, renewable energy projects
- Gulf Air Group - Aviation, aircraft maintenance, airport services, catering
- Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company - Sovereign wealth investments and related procurements
- Bahrain Development Bank (BDB) - SME financing and development projects
- Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) - Telecom and digital infrastructure
- Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA)
- Bahrain International Circuit
- Bahrain Polytechnic & Bahrain Institute of Public Administration
- National Health Regulatory Authority
- Tamkeen (Labour Fund)
- Muharraq Municipality
- Eskan Bank
- Bahrain Bourse & Bahrain Clear
- Supreme Council for Youth and Sports
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
- International Labour Organization (ILO)
- Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
- U.S. Embassy in Bahrain (for specific projects)
Bahrain Tender Board (BTB)
- Type: Central Independent Regulator
- Role: Oversees all government tenders, auctions and procurements above BHD 10,000
- Key Function: Ensures transparency, fairness and compliance across all ministries and entities
Ministry of Finance and National Economy
- Type: Central Government Ministry
- Procurement Focus: Budget-related contracts, financial systems, central procurement initiatives
Bahrain Public Procurement Legal Framework
Key Governing Law: Legislative Decree No. 36 of 2002 (as amended) Regulating Government Tenders, Bids, Procurement and Sales, along with Implementing Decree No. 37 of 2002.
Core Principles:
- Transparency and equal opportunity for all qualified bidders
- Preference for local and GCC companies
- Competitive bidding through public, limited and international tenders
- Strong anticorruption safeguards and clear evaluation criteria
- Mandatory e-tendering for most government procurements
Official E-Procurement Platforms in Bahrain
Primary Platform: Bahrain Tender Board - eTendering System
All government tenders above BHD 10,000 are published through the centralised Tender Board portal. Suppliers must register on the eTendering system to view documents, submit bids and participate.
Supporting Resources:
- Live Bid Opening Section
- Awarded Tenders Database
- Official Gazette Publications
How to Find and Bid on Tenders in Bahrain
Step by Step Guide:
- Register on the eTendering portal (etendering.tenderboard.gov.bh)
- Obtain Commercial Registration in Bahrain or GCC (preferred)
- Prepare Bid Bond - Usually 1-5% of tender value
- Submit bids electronically before deadline
- Monitor Awarded Tenders and Live Openings on the Tender Board website
Special Features of Bahrain Procurement
- Strong preference for Bahraini and GCC companies
- Multiple tender types: Public (Local/GCC/International), Limited, Two-Stage and Competitive Negotiation
- Clear timelines and transparent bid opening process (live online)
- Opportunities in energy transition, smart cities, tourism and healthcare
How TendersArabia Helps You Win in Bahrain
TendersArabia provides the following:
- Centralized access to all Bahrain Tender Board notices
- Daily alerts for specific authorities (BAPCO, EWA, Ministry of Works, etc.)
- Full tender document downloads
- Contract award intelligence and competitor analysis
- Bilingual support (English & Arabic)
Ready to explore opportunities in Bahrain? Register now or subscribe for premium access and daily alerts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Tender Board Bahrain (tenderboard.gov.bh) is the central regulatory authority overseeing all public procurement in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It was established under Legislative Decree No. 36 of 2002 and its Implementing Regulations issued by Decree No. 37 of 2002.
The Board is responsible for:
- Publishing all government tender opportunities on its unified e-tendering portal
- Reviewing and approving tender awards above specified thresholds
- Ensuring compliance with procurement laws and regulations
- Maintaining transparency and fair competition in public procurement
The Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) is responsible for major utility infrastructure projects in Bahrain.
Key ongoing procurements include:
- Sitra Independent Water and Power Production Plant (IWPP): A 1400-1500 MW power and 30 MIGD water project under BOO framework. Bids extended to 17 May 2026 with prequalified bidders including TAQA (UAE), ACWA (Saudi Arabia), JERA (Japan), KEPCO (South Korea), and a Chinese consortium.
- Bilaj Al Jazayer Solar IPP: A 100 MW solar photovoltaic project on BOO basis with 25-year contract. Bids received from ACWA and Yellow Door Energy.
- Hidd Independent Water Project (IWP): A 60 MIGD seawater reverse osmosis desalination project. Bids received from ACWA and GS Inima Environment.
- Sitra 400kV Grid Substation: Feeder cable works with three utility firms in race: Iljin Electric, Taihan Electric Wire, and LS Cable and System.
The Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning issues tenders across multiple sectors:
- Infrastructure Projects: Road construction, bridges, and drainage systems
- Sports Facilities: Quantity survey services for Isa Sports City (hostel, administration building, 400m running track, grandstand). Four bids received including Mohamed Salahuddin Consulting Engineering Bureau (BD 13,530) and AECOM Middle East (BD 42,649).
- Building Maintenance: Maintenance works at Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications headquarters in Muharraq.
- Animal Control Services: Tenders for catching and neutering stray dogs, with plans for a permanent shelter.
Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) manages procurement for Bahrain International Airport's modernization program.
Recent and current tenders include:
- Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) Cables Supply: Tender Number 3/2026/GFG (26/BAC/102024818/ITC) for supply of airfield ground lighting cables and accessories. Public international tender with bid bond BD 500 and tender fee BD 15.
- Old Terminal Building Demolition: Seven contractors submitted bids, with Poullaides Construction Company lowest at BD 1.135 million.
- Cargo Express Village Construction: Phase 1-A including 12,500 sqm warehouse zone, two power substations, access roads, and parking. Open to Grade A and AA building contractors.
The Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications issues tenders for maintenance and infrastructure projects.
An example includes:
- Maintenance Works at Ministry Headquarters Building in Muharraq (Bmd-25/0027): Includes replacing folding doors, providing internal signage, installing glass panels, painting (antifungal paint for interior walls, epoxy coating for floors), replacing damaged wooden planks and carpet tiles, and mechanical works.
The Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning issues tenders for municipal services, including:
- Stray Dog Management: Tenders for private veterinary clinics to provide neutering and treatment of stray dogs. The project includes trapping, neutering, releasing, and future establishment of a permanent shelter. All expenses for treatment and neutering are borne by the ministry.
- Public Health Services: Animal control and welfare services
- Urban Development: Municipal infrastructure and public space projects
The Ministry of Labour issues the Bahrainisation Certificate (compliance with employment percentages for Bahraini manpower). This certificate is a mandatory requirement for many government tenders. Bidders must enclose a valid copy of this certificate with their bid submission.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are eligible to obtain a 10% preference in the financial evaluation stage when submitting an "SMEs Classification Certificate" during bidding. This certificate is awarded by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to qualifying SMEs. SMEs can apply through the SMEs Registration System available at https://www.moic.gov.bh/en/eServices/sme.
All tenders in Bahrain are subject to the provisions of the Tender Law issued by Legislative Decree No. 36 of 2002, its amendments, and its Implementing Regulations issued by Decree No. 37 of 2002.
These laws establish:
- Rules for public procurement and competition
- Contractor registration and classification requirements
- Bid bond and performance bond regulations
- Dispute resolution mechanisms
- Transparency and anti-corruption measures
The Ministry of Works classifies building contractors into grades based on their capacity and experience:
- Grade AA: Highest classification for major construction projects
- Grade A: For large-scale building projects
- Grade B: For medium-scale building projects
- Grade C and below: For smaller projects