Manama, Oct.7 (BNA): The Labour Fund (Tamkeen) took part in the “Made in GCC 2026” Forum and Exhibition, held under the royal patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and organized by the Kingdom of Bahrain from October 6th to 8th at Exhibition World Bahrain.
Tamkeen highlights its role in developing national talent in the industrial sector at “Made in GCC 2026” Forum and Exhibition
The event gathered government officials, policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and experts from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to explore the future of industries in the region.
The discussions covered vital areas such as industrial integration, smart and sustainable manufacturing, innovation, financing, and the development of skills required for the future workforce.
During the forum, Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, Chief Executive of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), joined a panel discussion titled “GCC Talent: From Skills Development to Employment.” In her speech, she shared Bahrain’s experience in developing national talent and ensuring that Bahrainis are equipped with the necessary skills to match the rapid advancements in the industrial sector.
She also discussed Tamkeen’s efforts to support the training of Bahrainis and help them benefit from new job opportunities in the sector.
The Chief Executive highlighted the significance of the industrial sector as a major driver of economic growth, diversification, and innovation.
She explained how the sector contributes to boosting exports, improving productivity, attracting investment, and creating high-quality employment opportunities for national talent.Additionally, she noted its influence on various parts of the economy.
She pointed out that the manufacturing sector represented approximately 14.6% of the country’s GDP in the first quarter of 2026, making it the second-largest contributor among economic activities.
She also emphasized that the industrial sector is the largest in the Kingdom of Bahrain in terms of the number of enterprises, showcasing its significant role in the national economy.
She further explained that the Fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies, is transforming the nature of jobs and the skills needed in the industrial sector.
The Chief Executive stressed that investing in national talent is just as crucial as investing in technology and infrastructure.
She highlighted that the future of the industry depends on talent that can lead digital transformation, operate advanced technologies, analyze data, and develop innovative solutions that improve efficiency and productivity while enhancing the competitiveness of businesses.This underscores the need to continuously develop and upskill national talent to be ready for future jobs.
She also discussed the role of the Labour Fund “Tamkeen” in supporting this direction through various programs and initiatives for both individuals and enterprises.
These include support for digital transformation, financing, employment, and wages, as well as training, professional development, and apprenticeship programs.
These efforts help enterprises gain the necessary capabilities and expertise to meet modern industry demands, while also improving the competitiveness, employability, and career growth of Bahraini talent.
She mentioned that Tamkeen has a dedicated team that works directly with industrial enterprises to identify their needs and explore growth opportunities, ensuring the effectiveness of support provided and increasing the sector’s contribution to economic growth.This also helps in creating more high-quality job opportunities for Bahraini workers.
In conclusion, the Chief Executive noted that combining investment in technology, national talent, partnerships, and innovation is essential for building a more competitive and sustainable industrial sector that can keep up with future changes and contribute effectively to economic growth in the Kingdom.
The “Made in GCC 2026” Forum and Exhibition covered several major themes, including industrial policies, regional value chains and supply chain resilience, access to global markets, financing mechanisms, smart manufacturing and advanced technologies, sustainability, and national talent development.
The discussions took place across eight panel sessions, featuring over 40 speakers, including decision-makers and industry leaders from the GCC and beyond.
