Bahrain - MPs have approved a ban on expats owning homes in areas not considered tourism or investment zones.
It follows claims that Bahrainis were being priced out of the property market.
According to current law foreigners are able to buy property and land anywhere in Bahrain, but the government in 2003 imposed restrictions that limit this right to certain locations – such as Hoora, Abu Ghazal in Manama, Al Fateh District in Juffair, the Diplomatic Area, Reef Island and Seef.
Expats can also buy properties at designated investment projects, such as Amwaj Islands.
However, MP Shaikh Majid Al Majid claimed foreigners were inflating property prices because of their higher spending power.
“The real estate market in Bahrain went berserk because expatriates can afford paying more than Bahrainis for a home or plot and prices are being driven up insanely to unrealistic levels,” he argued during parliament’s session yesterday.
Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee vice-chairman Jalal Kadhem is leading the proposal.
“Expatriates shouldn’t get the chance to buy residential property in Bahrain because Bahrainis are facing difficulty getting a home, as they are expensive due to limited available space,” he said.
Parliament yesterday voted to amend a 2001 law that grants non-Bahrainis the right to own property, inserting a clause that restricts this right to only tourism and investment developments.
The amendment was presented by five MPs from the nine-member National Partnership Bloc and recommended for approval by parliament’s legislative and legal affairs committee.
It must now be drafted as an official legal amendment by the Cabinet within six months and referred back to the National Assembly for a vote.
MP Isa Al Kooheji said Bahrain urgently required a study on both the real estate sector and investment trends to determine the correct strategy.
“We don’t want to restrict the open market, but there has to be organisation that strikes a balance,” he said.
“An immediate government study is required to resolve the current situation of property shortages, with a residential or investment focus.”
Meanwhile, MP Mohammed Millad claimed the amendment would stabilise the property market and make homes more affordable for Bahrainis.
“We have inflated prices because there are two groups seeking the same service, one who can pay anything (expatriates) and Bahrainis with limited resources,” he said.
Meanwhile, MPs approved a proposed amendment to a 2015 law on civil and commercial legal disputes involving foreign entities.
It would apply Bahraini law as standard legal process for the case, with the law of the foreign entity’s country applied in general terms.
The proposed amendment, presented by five MPs led by parliament chairman Ahmed Al Mulla, aims to give judges clear direction on which law to apply.
Parliament also voted in favour of proposed amendments to the 2012 Child Law, which would make nursery education compulsory until the age of three.
The proposals will be formally drafted by the Cabinet within six months and resubmitted to the National Assembly.
However, parliament rejected the Shura Council’s proposed amendment to the Child Law that would have resulted in government action against those who use children for illegal acts, saying the crime was already covered by the justice system.
It follows claims that Bahrainis were being priced out of the property market.
According to current law foreigners are able to buy property and land anywhere in Bahrain, but the government in 2003 imposed restrictions that limit this right to certain locations – such as Hoora, Abu Ghazal in Manama, Al Fateh District in Juffair, the Diplomatic Area, Reef Island and Seef.
Expats can also buy properties at designated investment projects, such as Amwaj Islands.
However, MP Shaikh Majid Al Majid claimed foreigners were inflating property prices because of their higher spending power.
“The real estate market in Bahrain went berserk because expatriates can afford paying more than Bahrainis for a home or plot and prices are being driven up insanely to unrealistic levels,” he argued during parliament’s session yesterday.
Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee vice-chairman Jalal Kadhem is leading the proposal.
“Expatriates shouldn’t get the chance to buy residential property in Bahrain because Bahrainis are facing difficulty getting a home, as they are expensive due to limited available space,” he said.
Parliament yesterday voted to amend a 2001 law that grants non-Bahrainis the right to own property, inserting a clause that restricts this right to only tourism and investment developments.
The amendment was presented by five MPs from the nine-member National Partnership Bloc and recommended for approval by parliament’s legislative and legal affairs committee.
It must now be drafted as an official legal amendment by the Cabinet within six months and referred back to the National Assembly for a vote.
MP Isa Al Kooheji said Bahrain urgently required a study on both the real estate sector and investment trends to determine the correct strategy.
“We don’t want to restrict the open market, but there has to be organisation that strikes a balance,” he said.
“An immediate government study is required to resolve the current situation of property shortages, with a residential or investment focus.”
Meanwhile, MP Mohammed Millad claimed the amendment would stabilise the property market and make homes more affordable for Bahrainis.
“We have inflated prices because there are two groups seeking the same service, one who can pay anything (expatriates) and Bahrainis with limited resources,” he said.
Meanwhile, MPs approved a proposed amendment to a 2015 law on civil and commercial legal disputes involving foreign entities.
It would apply Bahraini law as standard legal process for the case, with the law of the foreign entity’s country applied in general terms.
The proposed amendment, presented by five MPs led by parliament chairman Ahmed Al Mulla, aims to give judges clear direction on which law to apply.
Parliament also voted in favour of proposed amendments to the 2012 Child Law, which would make nursery education compulsory until the age of three.
The proposals will be formally drafted by the Cabinet within six months and resubmitted to the National Assembly.
However, parliament rejected the Shura Council’s proposed amendment to the Child Law that would have resulted in government action against those who use children for illegal acts, saying the crime was already covered by the justice system.
Copyright 2017 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
