Investors plan to pump more than BD1 billion ($2.65bn) into new industrial projects in Bahrain, according to new figures released by the Industry and Commerce Ministry. Applications to 295 projects, with a total investment value of BD844.8 million ($2.2 billion), were given primary approval by the ministry last year. The projects, which must meet environmental, health and municipal requirements before they get final approval, will provide around 4,650 jobs, out of which 1,692 for Bahrainis. A further 144 industrial projects received a final approval from the ministry after meeting the relevant requirements, with an estimated investment of BD242.1m ($640.6m). Of the primary-approved projects last year, 106 were in the engineering industry, 83 in aluminium, 46 in petrochemicals and plastics, and 34 in food items and medicine.