المنامة، 8 أكتوبر (BNA) - استضاف جلالة الملك حمد بن عيسى آل خليفة كبار أعضاء العائلة المالكة ومستشاري جلالته والعديد من الوزراء ورجال الأعمال والمقيمين من مختلف المحافظات وأعضاء بارزين من وزارة الصناعة والتجارة في قصر الصخير. وكان أبناؤه حاضرين.
الملك يستقبل كبار أفراد العائلة المالكة والمسؤولين والمواطنين والمحققين
تلا القرآن الكريم لافتتاح المؤتمر، ثم ألقى جلالة الملك كلمة.
ورحب جلالة الملك بالضيوف وأعرب عن سعادته بلقاء خبراء بحرينيين بارزين في مجموعة من المجالات المهنية والعلمية. ووفقاً لصاحب الجلالة، كان الغرض من الاجتماع هو تكريم أصحاب الأعمال ورجال الأعمال البحرينيين الذين قدموا مساهمات كبيرة في اقتصاد البلاد من خلال الأفكار المبتكرة والاستثمارات الحكيمة والآثار طويلة الأمد، التي تتجاوز مجرد النجاح المالي.
وأشاد جلالة الملك بمثابرة رجال الأعمال البحرينيين في التغلب على عقبات السوق من أجل النجاح والنمو على مستوى العالم. وأكد جلالته على الأسس الصلبة التي يقوم عليها قطاع المشاريع الخاصة في البحرين، والتي تستند إلى الإجراءات المعاصرة والعادات التجارية التاريخية التي أسسها التجار البحرينيون الأوائل الذين أثبتوا قدرتهم على خلق اقتصاد حيوي وديناميكي، والذي وصفه جلالته بأنه ركيزة لتقدم البلاد وتطلعاتها للمستقبل.
وقال جلالته إن نجاح هذا القطاع الحيوي يعزز الثقة في اقتصاد البحرين القوي ومناخ الاستثمار المرحب به، والذي تدعمه مجموعة واسعة من الخدمات والمبادرات المتطورة والتعاون المؤسسي المنتج، وخاصة مع صندوق العمل (تمكين). ووفقا لصاحب الجلالة، فإن هذه الجهود المشتركة تجعل البحرين مكانا رائعا للاستثمار ومركزا للأعمال التجارية في المنطقة.
وأعرب جلالة الملك عن امتنانه لرئيس وأعضاء غرفة تجارة وصناعة البحرين، وكذلك عبدالله بن عادل فخرو، وزير الصناعة والتجارة، وموظفي الوزارة، على جهودهم في تعزيز مكانة المملكة كمركز للابتكار وريادة الأعمال، والتي تعزز الإنتاجية وتنويع اقتصاد البلاد وفقا لرؤية البحرين للتنمية والازدهار. وفي الختام، تمنى جلالته للجميع المزيد من النجاح.
وقد حظي المنجزون من وزارة الصناعة والتجارة بشرف تحية جلالة الملك بعد كلمته، وهنأهم على إنجازاتهم التي ساعدت القطاعات التجارية والصناعية في البحرين على النمو. وأعرب جلالته عن أمله في أن يواصلوا خدمة بلدهم بنجاح.
وشكر وزير الصناعة والتجارة عبد الله بن عادل فخرو جلالة الملك على المساعدة المستمرة التي عززت بشكل كبير مكانة المملكة كمركز رئيسي ومزدهر للصناعة والتجارة.
ووفقا للوزير فخرو، فقد شهدت الصناعة نموا هائلا بفضل رؤية الملك وتنفيذ الحكومة، التي يرأسها رئيس الوزراء وولي العهد الأمير سلمان بن حمد آل خليفة.
مع وجود أكثر من 800 منشأة صناعية وعدد متزايد من العمال المهرة محليًا ، يعد القطاع الصناعي حاليًا ثاني أكبر مساهم في الناتج المحلي الإجمالي ، وفقًا لوزير الصناعة ، الذي أكد أيضًا على تنفيذ استراتيجية القطاع الصناعي (2022-2026) على أساس التصنيع المتقدم والمستدام.
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 الملك 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 منصة 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.
