Latest news with #BahrainEconomicDevelopmentBoard
Daily Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Champions New Economic Playbook
As major economies confront the fallout of global disruption, Bahrain is emerging as an assertive voice in shaping what comes next. At the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC) 2025 in Tianjin, China, the Kingdom took centre stage as a strategic thought partner in crafting new economic models grounded in innovation, investment connectivity, and regional collaboration. Global stage H.E. Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), co-chaired the summit, joining a select group of global leaders from government and business. More than 1,700 figures from across 80 nations attended the three-day event focused on economic resilience and transformation in a volatile world. Bahrain's participation, as both a contributor and convener, brought its long-standing themes of regulatory reform, human capital development, and sustainable diversification into high-level discussions spanning finance, technology, and policy. New order Among the panels H.E. joined was 'Contours of a New Economic Order', which examined how nations are seeking to diversify away from traditional sectors and realign policy through regional cooperation. Another session, 'MENA–China Trade and Investment Relations', highlighted Bahrain's pitch to position itself as an investment gateway linking Asia and the Middle East. The discussions reflected the Kingdom's deepening trade diplomacy with fast-growing Asian markets, aligning with China's own Belt and Road expansion across the Gulf. Skills and strategy In sessions on digital skills and inclusion, Bahrain's efforts to build a future-ready workforce were spotlighted, including the ongoing rollout of the Skills and Gender Parity Accelerator. Throughout the forum, Bahrain EDB teams also held bilateral meetings and private networking sessions to attract investors and reinforce Bahrain's credentials as an agile, reform-driven economy. Big signal The co-chair invitation underscores WEF's recognition of Bahrain's consistent participation in global dialogue, and the strategic relevance of its transformation agenda. It also signals that smaller but nimble economies like Bahrain are no longer just passive observers but active architects of global growth debates. Bahrain's presence in Tianjin reflects its broader diplomatic and economic ambition — to bridge regions, accelerate reform, and shape the narrative around sustainable development beyond oil.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Tamkeen, Zoho launch new programme for Bahraini SMEs
Bahrain's Labour Fund (Tamkeen) has announced the launch of a new programme to support digital transformation for the local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in partnership with Zoho, a leading global technology company. Unveiling the new programme, Tamkeen said it will provide enterprises with access to Zoho's solutions for a period of two years. This includes a licence to utilise Zoho's operating system for business, Zoho One, which offers over 50 integrated apps for business management, which will significantly enhance digital transformation efforts for these enterprises. The platform also offers a wide range of features including customer service management tools, sales automation, HR and finance management, marketing management, data analysis tools and more, said Tamkeen in a statement. This program is part of many initiatives that aim to facilitate local expansion for global organizations such as Zoho in the Kingdom of Bahrain in support from the Bahrain Economic Development Board as part of its role to attract investments to Bahrain to enhance economic diversification efforts in the Kingdom, it added. Speaking on the occasion, Tamkeen CEO Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez emphasized the importance of supporting Bahraini SMEs due to the vital role they play in boosting the national economy. "This agreement with Zoho is aligned with our commitment to empowering Bahraini SMEs to embrace technology and transform digitally to enhance their productivity and sustainability. We do that by partnering with large international and local entities that can enable digital transformation," she noted. "Furthermore, we believe that digital transformation in various enterprises across the Kingdom will provide quality opportunities for Bahrain's tech talent and enhance the Kingdom's position as a regional tech hub ready to attract investments from all over the world," she added. According to Tamkeen, the initiative is aligned with its strategic priorities for 2025, which focus on enhancing the position and competitiveness of Bahrainis in the private sector, equipping them with suitable skills for career development in the private sector and prioritizing enterprise growth, digitization as well as sustainability. It is also aimed at supporting the development of the ecosystem surrounding the labor market and private sector. "Our partnership with Tamkeen marks a significant step in our commitment to empowering Bahraini SMEs with world-class digital tools tailored to their unique needs,' said Hyther Nizam, President MEA at Zoho. "This collaboration reflects our broader regional expansion strategy and our commitment to transnational localism - investing locally and deeply integrating into the communities we serve," observed Nizam. Zoho said it has experienced a notable surge in demand for its product suite in the Middle East and Africa since 2020, making it one of the company's fastest-growing regions globally. Its top-selling products, including Zoho CRM, Zoho Books, and Zoho Creator, are available in multiple languages, such as Arabic, and English. Additionally, these Zoho products support Right-to-Left (RTL) functionality and integrate with both global and local payment gateway solutions. "By joining forces with Tamkeen, we are not only bringing global technology closer to local businesses but also contributing to the Kingdom's vision for economic diversification and digital innovation," he added. -TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain EDB boss steers summer Davos
TDT | Manama Bahrain's Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), H.E. Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, has taken centre stage this week as CoChair of the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2025, hosted in Tianjin, China. The prestigious role puts H.E. Alkhulaif among a select group of global figures shaping the agenda at the three-day forum, often dubbed 'Summer Davos', which gathers over 1,700 leaders from government, business, civil society, and academia to navigate fast-changing global trends. Leading role Bahrain's participation stands out not just for its economic pitch but for its leadership face. As one of the few Arab women co-chairing the event, H.E. Alkhulaif brings a distinctive voice to panels on emerging economies, workforce readiness, innovation, and female empowerment. Her inclusion also reflects the Kingdom's growing influence in global policy conversations around digital transformation and sustainability. This year's forum theme, 'Entrepreneurship for a New Era', aligns closely with Bahrain's diversification efforts, with sessions structured around key themes such as 'Deciphering the World Economy', 'Outlook on China', 'Industries Disrupted', and 'Investing in People and Planet'. Global ties H.E. Alkhulaif is joined by other high-level Co-Chairs including H.E. Faisal Alibrahim of Saudi Arabia, Egypt's Minister H.E. Rania Al-Mashat, Henadi Al Saleh of Agility, and Chinese energy giant CNPC's Chairman Dai Houliang, further amplifying MENA and Asia's influence at the global forum. As Co-Chair, H.E. Alkhulaif will take part in sessions including 'Contours of a New Economic Order', 'MENA-China Trade and Investment Relations', 'Skills That Matter', and 'Women Leaders - Shaping Tomorrow's Economy', offering Bahrain a global platform to showcase its reforms and ambitions. Strategic platform Alongside her engagements, Bahrain EDB officials are also set to participate in high-level bilateral meetings and networking events aimed at deepening investor ties and boosting the Kingdom's competitiveness. Bahrain's long-standing partnership with the World Economic Forum is a cornerstone of its international engagement strategy, and H.E. Alkhulaif 's selection as Co-Chair reflects both her leadership credentials and the Kingdom's aspirations to position itself as a high-value investment destination in an era defined by disruption. The forum runs until June 26th.
Biz Bahrain
13-06-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
Bahrain Economic Development Board Concludes High-Level Engagements in Japan to Promote Investment Opportunities in the Kingdom
A delegation from the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), led by H.E. Iain Lindsay OB OBE, Advisor to the Board, and Mr. Mohammed Al Alawi, Chief of Marketing and Communications, concluded a successful visit to Japan, aimed at deepening economic ties and introducing Japanese companies to Bahrain's competitive investment offering. The visit commenced in Tokyo, where the delegation held a series of strategic meetings with Japanese companies across priority sectors. These engagements highlighted Bahrain's pro-business environment, agile regulations, and its strategic location as a gateway to the $2.1 trillion GCC market. The delegation also visited Osaka to participate in activities at EXPO and host the Bahrain–Japan Investment Seminar, which brought together senior executives from over 45 leading Kansai-based companies. The seminar featured opening remarks by H.E. Ahmed Al Doseri, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to Japan, and a keynote by H.E. Iain Lindsay, followed by a detailed presentation on Bahrain's economic value proposition. A key highlight of the event was a fireside chat featuring representatives from Toyota and Daiki Aluminium, two Japanese companies with an established presence in Bahrain. The speakers shared their experience operating in the Kingdom, offering practical insights into the benefits of Bahrain's business environment, including access to talent, competitive costs, and ease of doing business. The programme concluded with a visit to the Bahrain Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, where the delegation hosted a series of majlis-style meetings with Japanese companies. These private sessions offered a platform for targeted discussions around regional expansion strategies, with Bahrain positioned as a strategic launchpad for accessing growth opportunities across the GCC and wider Middle East. Guests also received guided tours of the Pavilion, which highlights the Kingdom's cultural legacy and forward-looking economic vision under the national theme, 'Connecting Seas.' The visit forms part of the Bahrain EDB's broader efforts around Expo 2025 Osaka, where the Kingdom is participating to spotlight its unique economic offering and long-term vision for sustainable, innovation-led growth.
Biz Bahrain
04-06-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
Fintech Forward set to return to Bahrain and gather the most influential leaders in finance at its third edition in October 2025
The Kingdom of Bahrain is gearing up for its third edition of Fintech Forward, which will be hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) and programmed by Economist Impact. Bringing together the best and brightest minds in payments, fintech, and the broader financial ecosystem, Fintech Forward has cemented itself as a leading regional event, where industry trailblazers, investors, and financial players come to exchange knowledge, celebrate milestone successes, and level up connections. The upcoming edition of the region's flagship financial services event, Fintech Forward 2025 (FF25), will take place on October 8-9 at Exhibition World Bahrain, hosted in collaboration with the Central Bank of Bahrain and supported by Bahrain FinTech Bay. Featuring keynotes, panel discussions and interactive sessions, the two-day event will spotlight opportunities and challenges for fintechs and highlight notable successes to learn from. Held under the banner 'The era of integration: the maturing age of fintech', FF25 will bring together fintech experts, financial firms, governments and regulators from around the world to discuss trending themes, share insights, and exchange knowledge to further advance the industry. The event will cover a wide range of topics related to the industry, including the shift from rapid growth to sustainable maturity, the emergence of embedded infrastructure and advanced technologies, the focus on trust, regulation, and integration over disruption, as well as the lasting and increased collaboration between regulators, sovereign investors, and traditional banks. Bahrain, the host country for this global event, has a robust financial services sector that combines traditional banking with innovative fintech firms, including crypto assets, digital payments and open banking solutions. The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), which serves as the country's single regulator, has played a vital role in fostering fintech innovation through its dedicated Fintech Innovation Unit and pioneering regulatory frameworks. The CBB's onshore Regulatory Sandbox, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, provides a secure environment for local and international fintech companies to test and develop new technologies, supporting the growth of a resilient and compliant fintech ecosystem. Building on the success of previous editions, which drew participants from across the globe, Fintech Forward has established itself as a key platform for industry leaders to share insights, foster collaboration, and drive regional fintech advancement. For more information and to register interest in Fintech Forward 2025, please visit website. Media can register here for a partnership.
