Tamkeen Participates in UNIDO 50th Anniversary Celebrations

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, received an award on behalf of His Majesty the King by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation at a ceremony in Vienna marking UNIDO’s 50^th anniversary.

Themed “Together for a Sustainable Future”, the award was granted to Bahrain in recognition of the Kingdom’s development efforts, entrepreneurial success, and economic empowerment of women.

Tamkeen congratulates His Majesty for UNIDO’s global recognition of the role played by His Majesty and the Kingdom of Bahrain in establishing the country’s entrepreneurial model, which is currently adopted by 48 countries around the world.

Tamkeen’s participation in the ceremony and expo demonstrates the organisation’s role in developing entrepreneurship in the Kingdom of Bahrain by creating many programmes and initiatives, and forging partnerships with stakeholders supporting the sector in general, and women’s empowerment in particular, chiefly the Supreme Council for Women (SCW).

Since its 2006 inception, Tamkeen invested more than BHD 800 million, offering support for around 100,000 citizens and more than 35,000 enterprises in various fields.

On this occasion, Tamkeen Chief Executive Dr. Ebrahim Mohammed Janahi expressed Tamkeen’s pride in taking part in the ceremony, saying: “It is our honour to congratulate His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the wise leadership for UNIDO’s recognition of the role played by His Majesty and the Kingdom of Bahrain as well as for the success of the kingdom’s entrepreneurial model. We are proud that Bahrain was honoured at UNIDO’s ceremony and that Tamkeen was selected to participate in the Kingdom’s delegation to the UNIDO’s 50^th anniversary celebrations. Tamkeen’s participation underscores its efforts to support the private sector and turn it into the main engine for the national economy. Over the past years, Tamkeen’s programmes empowered many entrepreneurs — men and women — to achieve their aspirations and develop their businesses. Tamkeen provided those entrepreneurs with training, financial support, as well as the tools and resources necessary for success.”

Dr. Janahi praised the effective cooperation with all partners as well as private and public sector institutions in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He stressed that Tamkeen’s success was due to the integration and synergy with these organisations to advance the economy through many programmes and initiatives.

Since its founding, Tamkeen has launched many programmes and initiatives to support Bahraini youths by equipping them with training, skills, and knowledge to meet the ever-changing market needs.

Tamkeen seeks to promote entrepreneurship among Bahraini youths and encourage them to adopt it as a substitute for employment. It also backs the establishment of enterprises in the Kingdom of Bahrain to create good-paying jobs and improve living standards.

Tamkeen prioritises women’s empowerment, supporting Bahraini women to compete with men in advancing economic development. It has launched many dedicated initiatives which cater to the specific needs of women. Among these programmes was the Bahraini Women Development Portfolio Fund (Riyadat), launched in cooperation with the The Supreme Council of Women (SCW) and Bahrain Development Bank (BDB). The portfolio, singed in March 2006, is worth BHD 37.7 million, or around USD 100 million. The amount is secured by the BDB and supported by Tamkeen.