Manama: Bahrain has paid rich tribute to its young entrepreneurs, with Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa stressing that innovation and creativity were vital to increasing employment opportunities for Bahrainis.
Attending the annual Bahrain Award for Entrepreneurship, Prince Salman said the government’s efforts at facilitating entrepreneurship underlined Bahrain’s firm commitment to promoting hope and opportunity for all.
“Bahrain identified economic diversification as a key driver of growth and employment opportunities over a decade ago, and this recognition laid the groundwork for a new phase of economic reforms that prioritised the role of the private sector in driving economic growth and providing entrepreneurial opportunities,” Prince Salman said.
The Crown Prince, who is also the Chairman of the Economic Development Board (EDB), added that Bahrain recognised that its economic and fiscal reforms had to continue to progress at a swift pace in order to continue providing an economic environment that fostered opportunities and enabled sustainable growth.
The Chairman of Tamkeen, the organisation tasked with developing Bahrain’s private sector and positioning it as the key driver of economic development, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa, said that the Bahrain Award for Entrepreneurship highlighted the kingdom’s achievements in fostering entrepreneurial opportunities, and that the award winners would benefit from a range of development and funding programmes, business coaching schemes, office space and growth plans.
He added that the award was in line with Tamkeen’s and its partners’ efforts to foster a business environment within Bahrain that is beneficial to entrepreneurs and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Bahrain Award for Entrepreneurship winners:
- Aliah Al Moayed, Nutrition Consultancy - Micro-Enterprise of the Year Award
- Khalifa Al Mannai, Mannai Technological Facilitations - Startup of the Year Award
- Dr Lamya’s Laser Dental Centre - SME of the Year Award
- Mohammad Rafea, Midal Cables - Enterprise of the Year with International Footprint Award
- Hala Al Moayyed, Almoayyed Contracting Group — Sustainable Business Award
- Ahmad Mansour Al Aali Group - Lifetime Achievement Award
- Dr Sara Al Reefi, London Breast Care Centre — Female Entrepreneur of the Year
