The Capital Governorate has announced the launch of the third edition of Manama Entrepreneurship Week, a key event designed to bolster the Kingdom’s startup ecosystem. Held in strategic partnership with the Labour Fund “Tamkeen” and Ahli United Bank, the week-long event will operate under the theme “Towards Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” aligning with the United Nations’ 17 SDGs. The event is scheduled to run from October 28 to November 2, 2017, featuring a main forum and 14 specialized workshops and seminars.
Fostering Innovation Through Global Expertise
This year’s event will bring together approximately 30 expert speakers from Bahrain, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Russia. The lineup aims to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs by showcasing global success stories rooted in creativity and innovation. The sessions are tailored to help young founders and aspiring business leaders develop their skills, gain valuable insights, and translate their ideas into tangible projects.
The Governor of the Capital Governorate, Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, emphasized the event’s role in empowering youth. “We are confident that highlighting the entrepreneurship sector contributes to stimulating innovation and creating broad horizons for young people,” he stated. He added that the platform serves to inspire entrepreneurs to launch their ventures and provides an opportunity for SMEs to scale their operations, reinforcing the Kingdom’s commitment to economic diversification.
A Strategic Partnership To Drive Growth
The collaboration with Tamkeen is central to the event’s mission. Dr. Ebrahim Janahi, Chief Executive of Tamkeen, affirmed that the partnership aligns with the organization’s goals to develop the skills of Bahrainis and foster a vibrant private sector, a key pillar of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030. He noted that the initiative directly supports national plans to diversify income sources and encourage innovation.
“Tamkeen’s efforts in this field are in line with national plans aimed at diversifying sources of income, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, and encouraging young people to launch their own projects, which contributes to creating quality job opportunities in the labor market,” said Dr. Janahi. He highlighted that over its first decade, Tamkeen has supported over 35,000 young Bahrainis through grants, training, financing, and mentorship.
Building on Previous Success
Manama Entrepreneurship Week has demonstrated significant growth, underscoring its importance within the local ecosystem. Participation surged from 2,000 attendees in its inaugural edition to 5,000 in the second, with organizers anticipating an even larger turnout for the third installment. This sustained interest reflects the event’s positive impact and its alignment with the needs of the Kingdom’s youth and business community.
The Governor noted that the event’s continuity is a testament to its effectiveness in meeting the needs of young entrepreneurs. He said, “The establishment of this event for the third consecutive year translates the efforts of the Capital Governorate in the sustainability of its projects, which are characterized by their durability because they meet the needs of the youth category and express their actual presence.”
About Manama Entrepreneurship Week
Manama Entrepreneurship Week is an annual initiative by the Capital Governorate of Bahrain, organized in partnership with key public and private sector entities like Tamkeen and Ahli United Bank. It aims to inspire and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs by providing a platform for learning, networking, and mentorship. The event features a series of forums, workshops, and seminars led by local and international experts, focusing on innovation, sustainable development, and business growth to support Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.
Source: Al-Watan News
