CEO Message

Darin and Tarout Islands are not a new site that we are beginning to shape; they are living places that carry a deep and enduring civilizational, maritime, and social memory. Our responsibility, therefore, goes beyond implementing projects; it also encompasses protecting what gives the islands their meaning and translating that meaning into a better quality of life and broader opportunities for their people.

In 2025, the Foundation transitioned from establishment to activating its statutory roles, working with the Eastern Province Development Authority and our partners on the island’s master and detailed plans. These plans set out a clear path forward: restored heritage sites, better-protected mangroves and coastlines, more vibrant public waterfronts, more efficient urban mobility, and a local economy that benefits from culture, tourism, and the sea without losing its authenticity.

We will continue to work transparently, listen to residents, empower investors and developers with clearer information, and build partnerships that create long-term value. The success of Darin and Tarout Islands is not measured by the number of projects alone, but by what these projects protect, how they improve people’s lives, and what they leave for future generations.

Eng. Ahmed Salman Al-Badr
Chief Executive Officer of the Darin and Tarout Island Development Foundation