Bahrain awarded Golden Licenses to four projects carrying a combined stated value of $3.89 billion, including plans disclosed before the forum, but the announcement did not break down the total by project.
The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) said the awards cover aviation, real estate and technology. The aviation projects involve DHL and ventures with Capital A, AirAsia, cargo operator Teleport and Asia Digital Engineering. The package also includes a Meliá hotel and residences on Amwaj Islands with Infracorp, and Digital City Bahrain, a planned district focused on information and communications technology (ICT), innovation and education.
The EDB release did not say how much of the total represents new commitments and how much relates to projects announced earlier. A 2025 Gateway Gulf announcement listed four prior Golden License projects valued at $4.4 billion.
Bahrain introduced the license program in 2023 for projects expected to create more than 500 local jobs or involve more than $50 million in investment. Benefits include priority access to land, infrastructure and utilities, along with streamlined government services. EDB projected attendance above 200 at Gateway Gulf, drawing from public officials, business leaders and investors.
DHL announced its planned aircraft-maintenance hangar at Bahrain International Airport in November 2025, putting the investment at $85.1 million. At the time, the company targeted an October 2026 construction start and operations by August 2028.
AirAsia said Teleport has maintained a schedule of two cargo flights a week to Bahrain since February 2026. AirAsia passenger service is targeted to begin by March 2027, depending on conditions, while Asia Digital Engineering plans to build maintenance capabilities in the kingdom. Tony Fernandes, Capital A’s CEO and an adviser to AirAsia Group, said regional geopolitical developments had prompted changes to initial plans, but “our commitment to Bahrain has not changed.”
Amwaj Beachfront signed its Meliá Hotels and Resorts partnership in July 2025 and announced Meliá Residences sales in May 2026. Beyon described Digital City Bahrain as a $1.5 billion master plan in 2025. The project’s website now characterizes the plan as an early concept that may be revised.
Gateway Gulf is scheduled to conclude Nov. 2 at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay.
