Tamkeen supports the expansion project of Gulf Closures: a joint venture between Al Zayani Industries and Aptar Group Within efforts to create training and employment opportunities for Bahrainis

In line with its 2024 strategic priorities, Labour Fund (Tamkeen) supported the expansion project of Gulf Closures – a joint venture between Aptar Group, one of the world’s largest providers of packaging solutions for beverages, food commodities, cosmetics, household cleaning products and medicines and Al Zayani Industries, a leading Bahrain-based industrial conglomerate. The initiative supports the expansion of manufacturing plant, Gulf Closures, aimed at producing high quality packaging products in the Kingdom of Bahrain to serve the Middle East and North Africa region.  

In light of this agreement and with Tamkeen’s support, the expertise of both institutions will be harnessed to expand the manufacturing facility – Gulf Closures – and further develop its activities.  

Tamkeen’s support to the project includes training for Bahraini talents in the company – representing 78% of the workforce – as well as supporting the partial acquisition of state-of-the-art machinery and equipment for the factory, contributing to the expected creation of approximately 20 new job opportunities for local talent.  Tamkeen will also support the participation of five Bahrainis in a specialized training program at Aptar’s European headquarters through its “Global Ready Talent Program” to ensure they are equipped with the required technical skills in operating the cutting-edge equipment provided for the factory.   

“We are proud of our pivotal role in supporting the expansion of Gulf Closures through this impactful partnership between two regional and global industry leaders,” said Labour Fund (Tamkeen) Chief Executive Maha Mofeez on the occasion.  

“This collaboration embodies our dedication to fostering innovation and stimulating the growth of the Bahraini manufacturing sector as it is among the prominent sectors and one of the most important tributaries to the national economy.  

“Aptar Group’s decision to invest in expanding a manufacturing facility in Bahrain reflects the Kingdom’s favourable business and investment environment which includes various support packages, a skilled national workforce, and competitive operational costs in addition to government policies and regulatory frameworks that attract business.  

“Bahrain’s strategic location in the region, in close proximity to the largest regional consumer markets, adds to its attractiveness to businesses.”  

Gulf Closures is a leading manufacturer of beverage caps in the region, catering to several major players in the beverage manufacturing industry. This agreement aims to expand Gulf Closures’ operations to increase productivity, introduce new products and develop additional production lines.  

This initiative benefits from the available opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa market, and accordingly, Aptar products will be manufactured locally in the Kingdom of Bahrain and exported, thereby further enhancing operational efficiency, and fortifying the supply chain while driving the growth of the manufacturing sector in Bahrain.  

This sector is a vital driver of the national economy, contributing 14% to Bahrain’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022, making it the second-largest non-oil contributor, with an annual growth rate of 4.9%. 

Supporting this project contributes to creating new jobs in the sector, attracting modern technologies and refining the skills of the national workforce through an exchange of experience and knowledge.   

“Through our local expertise and the capabilities of Aptar Group and its global leadership, we will be able to expand the scope of activities at Gulf Closures from 1.5 billion caps to reach 2.5 billion caps annually,” said Al Zayani Industries Managing Director, Mr. Rashid Al Zayani.  

“This partnership will propel innovation, sustainability and overall economic growth in Bahrain in addition to fortifying the Kingdom’s standing as a prominent regional manufacturing hub which presents Bahrain with excellent prospects for the substitution of imports with locally manufactured goods, particularly in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector.” 

Tamkeen’s support is aligned with its 2024 strategic priorities, which are focused on economic impact and the private sector under three pillars: increasing economic participation through new employment opportunities for new entrants, expanding career development opportunities available to Bahraini workforce, and lastly further developing the private sector by supporting enterprises and boosting productivity and adoption of technology.