Project Details


WSIS Prizes Contest 2025 Nominee

Benayat System


Benayat System

Description

Benayat Building Permit Portal is the Kingdom of Bahrain’s official system used to issue building permits for all types of building projects whether Investment, Residential, Industrial, Commercial, etc. The system enables Engineering Offices licensed in the Kingdom of Bahrain to apply for building permits, enquire on application status, obtain consultation from concerned government entities regarding building permits, pay building permit related fees, as well as apply for other building related services. By utilizing an interactive map that provides key information for land parcels and by centralizing all the concerned regulations and requirements under one system, Benayat allows applicants to obtain all necessary information to prepare drawings and documents required to apply for a building permit. In addition, Benayat building permit portal is consider a one stop platform that streamlines the construction process in the Kingdom of Bahrain through Public Private Partnership and providing guided process services where applications move from the initial stage of applying for a building permit and until the construction is completed utility service is obtained and insurance deposit is refunded. Target stakeholders of the system are the Engineering Offices, Property Owners, Investors and Government entities.

Project website

https://www.benayat.bh


Action lines related to this project
  • AL C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
  • AL C2. Information and communication infrastructure
  • AL C3. Access to information and knowledge
  • AL C4. Capacity building
  • AL C5. Building confidence and security in use of ICTs
  • AL C6. Enabling environment
  • AL C7. E-government
  • AL C7. E-business
  • AL C7. E-employment
  • AL C7. E-environment
  • AL C7. E-agriculture
  • AL C7. E-science 2025
  • AL C8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content
  • AL C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
  • AL C11. International and regional cooperation
Sustainable development goals related to this project
  • Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
  • Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

Coverage
  • Bahrain, Bahrain

Status

Ongoing

Start date

11 January 2018

End date

2025


Target beneficiary group(s)
  • Youth
  • Older persons
  • Women
  • Indigenous and nomadic peoples
  • People with disabilities
  • The unemployed
  • The poor
  • Migrants
  • Refugees and internally displaced people
  • Remote and rural communities

Replicability

1. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries: Similar urban development challenges and regulatory environments make GCC countries ideal candidates for replicating Benayat.
2. Developing Countries: Regions with growing urbanization and a need for efficient building permit processes can benefit from implementing a system like Benayat.
3. Urban Centers Worldwide: Any urban center looking to modernize its building permit process and improve transparency and efficiency can adopt a similar system.

Steps for Implementation
1. Assessment: Conduct a thorough assessment of the existing building permit process and identify areas for improvement.
2. Stakeholder Consultation: Engage with all relevant stakeholders to gather input and ensure their needs are addressed.
3. System Development: Develop a customized digital platform based on the Benayat model, incorporating local regulations and requirements.
4. Training and Capacity Building: Provide training for users and stakeholders to ensure they can effectively use the new system.
5. Pilot Testing: Implement a pilot phase to test the system and make necessary adjustments before full-scale deployment.
By following these steps and leveraging the key features of Benayat, other regions can replicate this successful model to enhance their building permit processes and promote sustainable urban development.


Sustainability

The inter-ministerial team played a pivotal role in making this initiative Sustainable. The process started with presenting a sound business case to gain buy-in from Private and Government Stakeholders. Throughout the project, stakeholders were engaged at all levels to pave the way for a sustainable product.
The System has been developed as a modular structure considering the need for future scalability and extensibility and designed to easily adapt to external service modules and data components in future


WSIS values promotion

1. Inclusivity: Benayat ensures that all citizens and businesses have access to a streamlined and transparent building permit process. This inclusivity helps bridge the digital divide by making essential services accessible to everyone. 2. Sustainability: The system incorporates the Green Building Code, which promotes environmentally friendly construction practices. This aligns with WSIS's focus on sustainable development and environmental protection 3. Innovation: Benayat leverages advanced technologies to provide a user-friendly platform for managing building permits. This innovation simplifies the process and reduces bureaucratic hurdles, making it easier for users to comply with regulations 4. Collaboration: The platform facilitates collaboration between various government entities, ensuring that all necessary approvals and checks are conducted efficiently. This collaborative approach enhances the overall effectiveness of urban planning 5. Empowerment: By providing clear guidelines and easy access to information, Benayat empowers users to make informed decisions about their building projects. This empowerment is crucial for fostering a knowledgeable and proactive community 6. Transparency: The system offers transparency in the permit application process, allowing users to track the status of their applications and understand the requirements clearly. This transparency builds trust and accountability within the community By integrating these values, Benayat not only improves the efficiency of the building permit process but also contributes to the broader goals of sustainable and inclusive development in Bahrain.


Entity name

Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA )

Entity country—type

Bahrain Government

Entity website

https://www.iga.gov.bh/

Partners

Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture