Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce has announced the upcoming launch of HQ Industrial, a new 53,000-square-meter industrial incubator set to open in September. The announcement was made by Minister Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro during the Global Entrepreneurship Investment Forum 2026, hosted by the Kingdom in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The initiative, developed in partnership with Hope Ventures, is designed to support Bahrain’s growing ecosystem of industrial entrepreneurs and SMEs.
Bridging The Gap Between Innovation and Production
HQ Industrial aims to address a critical gap in the ecosystem by providing a comprehensive platform for startups and SMEs to transition from research and development to full-scale manufacturing and commercialization. Dr. Khaled Fahd Al-Alawi, the Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Development, explained that the center will empower industrial innovators to transform their ideas into testable and manufacturable products, guiding them all the way to marketing and sales.
“Entrepreneurship is no longer an economic option, but a necessity and a key driver of growth amid the rapid transformations of the global economy,” stated Minister Fakhro, emphasizing that modern competitiveness relies on speed, adaptability, and the ability to turn ideas into tangible impact.
A Catalyst for Bahrain’s Economic Diversification
The launch of HQ Industrial aligns with Bahrain’s long-term vision to diversify its economy and empower the private sector. The Minister highlighted that non-oil sectors now constitute over 83% of the Kingdom’s GDP, with small and medium-sized enterprises representing more than 93% of all registered companies.
The incubator is a strategic step in building an ecosystem capable of not only generating new ideas but also scaling them into regionally and globally competitive industries, reinforcing Bahrain’s position as one of the most diversified economies in the region.
Fostering a Supportive Entrepreneurial Hub
HQ Industrial is the latest in a series of strategic initiatives by Bahrain to create a favorable environment for entrepreneurs. The government has already introduced measures to address funding challenges, including the SME Development Fund, an advanced credit assessment platform, and legislation allowing for the collateralization of non-traditional assets.
These efforts, combined with Bahrain’s strategic location, advanced logistics infrastructure, and over 24 free trade agreements, position the Kingdom as a launchpad for entrepreneurs seeking access to the Gulf, the wider Middle East, and global markets.
About HQ Industrial
HQ Industrial is the first industrial incubator in the Kingdom of Bahrain, established as a partnership between the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and Hope Ventures. Spanning 53,000 square meters, its mission is to create an integrated industrial ecosystem that helps startups and SMEs bridge the gap between innovation and production, enabling them to develop, manufacture, and market their products.
Source: Alayam
