Manama, Oct. 8 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hosted senior members of the royal family, His Majesty’s advisors, several ministers, business executives, residents from various governorates, and accomplished members of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce at Al Sakhir Palace. His sons were present.
HM King receives senior royals, officials, citizens, and achievers
The Holy Quran was recited to open the conference, and then His Majesty the King gave a speech.
His Majesty the King greeted the guests and conveyed his pleasure at meeting eminent Bahraini experts in a range of professional and scientific fields. According to His Majesty, the purpose of the meeting was to honor Bahraini business owners and entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to the country’s economy through innovative ideas, wise investments, and long-lasting effects, going beyond mere financial success.
His Majesty the King praised Bahraini businesspeople’s perseverance in overcoming market obstacles in order to succeed and grow globally. His Majesty emphasized the solid underpinnings of Bahrain’s private enterprise sector, which are based on contemporary procedures and historical business customs founded by early Bahraini merchants who proved capable of creating a vibrant and dynamic economy, which His Majesty characterized as a pillar of the country’s progress and aspirations for the future.
According to His Majesty, the successful operation of this crucial sector bolsters trust in Bahrain’s strong economy and welcoming investment climate, which are bolstered by a wide range of services, cutting-edge initiatives, and productive institutional collaboration, especially with the Labour Fund (Tamkeen). According to His Majesty, these combined efforts make Bahrain a great place to invest and a hub for business in the region.
His Majesty the King expressed gratitude to the Chairman and members of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as to Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, and the ministry’s staff, for their efforts in strengthening the Kingdom’s standing as a center for innovation and entrepreneurship, which are boosting productivity and diversifying the country’s economy in accordance with Bahrain’s vision for development and prosperity. In closing, His Majesty wished everyone more success.
The achievers from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce had the privilege of greeting His Majesty after his speech, and he congratulated them on their achievements that helped Bahrain’s commercial and industrial sectors grow. His Majesty hoped they would continue to serve their country with success.
In a speech, Minister of Industry and Commerce Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro thanked His Majesty the King for the ongoing assistance that has greatly strengthened the Kingdom’s standing as a major and prosperous center for industry and commerce.
According to Minister Fakhro, the industry has experienced tremendous growth thanks to the King’s vision and the government’s implementation, which is headed by Prime Minister and Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
With more than 800 industrial establishments and a growing number of domestically skilled workers, the industrial sector is currently the second-largest contributor to the GDP, according to the Industry Minister, who also emphasized the implementation of the Industrial Sector Strategy (2022–2026) based on advanced and sustainable manufacturing.
He described initiatives under the “Takamul” program to increase the visibility of Bahraini goods both domestically and abroad by giving them priority status in government procurement in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. He also mentioned Bahrain’s involvement in the Integrated Industrial Partnership, which has produced supply deals worth more than USD 3 billion, with more than seven nations.
According to him, the ministry is still creating industrial and economic zones to draw in high-value investments. Examples include the American Trade Zone, the Aluminum Downstream Industries Zone, and the recently constructed Hafeera Industrial Zone, which is over 3 million square meters in size. In order to provide Bahraini goods with market access to around four billion consumers globally, he continued, Bahrain is negotiating over 10 free trade agreements under the GCC framework.
In accordance with His Majesty’s orders to stay in touch with business executives, Bahraini traders, entrepreneurs, and family-run businesses have been instrumental in assisting the ministry in enhancing the investment climate and the investor experience, Minister Fakhro emphasized. According to him, the ministry has already begun working on the fourth improved version of the Commercial Registration System (Sijilat), which makes it easier for business owners to run their operations. The third version was introduced.
He also described legislative measures to enhance market access and financing, such as the establishment of a corporate credit rating platform to facilitate business financing and the Secured Transactions Law to govern movable asset rights.
Fakhro went on to say that the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Development Board has launched a number of programs that have helped this industry flourish in accordance with His Majesty’s directions to empower Bahraini youth and promote entrepreneurship. These include the introduction of the virtual commercial register “Sijli,” the establishment of the SME Development Fund, which is valued at over BD 100 million and was created in collaboration with private financial institutions, and the distribution of 20% of government procurement to small and medium-sized businesses in order to support their ongoing expansion and economic integration.
He added that the National Innovation Strategy (2025–2035) was introduced to strengthen Bahrain’s standing as a regional hub for innovation, creativity, and research with the backing of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The minister took pride in the presence of business owners, startup founders, and innovators who had the privilege of meeting His Majesty the King and receiving his inspirational vision and guidance, which encourages them to keep up their innovative and creative journeys for the benefit of the country.
Fakhro reaffirmed the ministry’s resolve to go on working under His Majesty’s direction and in accordance with Team Bahrain’s strategy.
His Majesty the King was then given a commemorative gift by the Minister of Industry and Commerce.
The participants, for their part, conveyed their appreciation for the chance to meet His Majesty the King and praised His Majesty’s dedication to open communication with the public and continuous consideration of their welfare and interests. They hoped that under His Majesty’s direction, the Kingdom would continue to advance and prosper.
The following small and startup business owners, innovators, and entrepreneurs had the privilege of meeting His Majesty the King:
1. Mumtalakat invested in Ali Mohammed Ibrahim Dhaif Ahmed’s Parcel Delivery, a Bahraini company that specializes in all-inclusive digital delivery solutions and has won StartUp contests.
2. The Bahrain Award for Entrepreneurship was won by Nahla Mahmood Yousef Mahmood Al Mahmood of Lalabella, an event management and planning firm.
3. Mumtalakat invested in Aida Aref Mohammed Al Mudaifa, an early riser who specializes in organic and healthful food products and has won StartUp competitions.
4. Abdulla Ahmed Abdulla Al Nuaimi – Trading AGORA Food, which is entering the Saudi market and providing premium food items from Europe.
5. Amina Abduljabbar Mohammed Al Abbasi, the Bahrain Award for Entrepreneurship winner, is the owner of Amina Gallery, which transforms creative designs into clothing and accessories.
6. Alaa Mohammed Abdulrahim Mahmoud-Butterfly Technology, a Bahraini business that helps entrepreneurs and innovators by converting creative concepts into workable technological solutions and offering technical and consulting support.
7. Khalifa Abdulla Khalifa Al Mannai, the Bahrain Award laureate for Entrepreneurship, is the founder of Mannai Tech, which provides integrated IT and healthcare solutions.
8. Abdulaziz Yasser The “Malaeb” app, the fastest-growing sports community platform in the Middle East and North Africa, was developed by Mohammed Rasheed Mohammed of Malaeb Online Services.
9. Through the “Beban” initiative, Hope Ventures invested in Mohammed Hussain Radhi Mahmood Mahdi’s Loje Patisserie, a Bahraini pastry company started by the group’s youngest entrepreneur.
10. Calo Cafe, which specializes in calorie-counted, healthful meals and is growing into regional markets, is owned by Ahmed Hesham Sharif Abdulatif Al Rawi.
11. Right Calories Healthy, which offers nutrient-balanced meals and is growing in the Saudi market, is owned by Abdulla Khalid Yousef Sulaibikh.
12. Mumtalakat invested in Auzair Mohammed Othman, the winner of StartUp competitions, who is the creator of Procural, a B2B cloud-based platform that is revolutionizing procurement by seamlessly integrating buyers and suppliers.
13. The Physiotherapy Mobilization and Rehabilitation Chair, a creative project promoting physical treatment and rehabilitation, was invented by Abrar Hassan Ammar Ali Al Shaikh.
