This was announced during a Press conference addressed by the State Minister for Information Affairs and Government’s Official Spokesperson, Sameera bin Rajab, Capital Governor Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, Najib Friji UNIC, Dr Hashim Hussain and Dr Sadiq Al Faqih.
The Minister underlined the importance of the initiative which she said would further bolster Bahrain’s position as a leading banking and financial sector.
The Capital Governor Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman lauded the vision of His Majesty the King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for spearheading major initiatives aimed at empowering Bahrainis with knowledge and necessary skills.
“This initiative is reflective of the leadership the
UNIDO in cooperation with the Arab International Center for Entrepreneurship & Investment (AICEI) and the Arab Thought Forum led by HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan; are embarking on a new initiative aimed at naming Manama as the Arab Capital for Entrepreneurship & Innovation for the year 2014. It is worth noting that Manama is the first capital to be named, next year another capital will be selected.
The initiative aims at developing and implementing a series of events, forums, workshops and programs that would expose Arab Youth in the region towards entrepreneurship, innovation and private sector initiatives. Thus, stimulating the spirit of entrepreneurship among youth and facilitating economic diversification; hence, leading to job creation.
Launch an Arab Strategy for Youth Economic Empowerment in cooperation with the Arab Union for Small Enterprises (League of Arab States); Develop Entrepreneurship & Innovation Centers in the Arab Countries in cooperation with the General Union for Arab Chambers and the Arab Union for Small Enterprises (league of Arab States); Promote and support the establishment of entrepreneurs businesses within the Capital Governorate; A series of 24 Entrepreneurship Workshops on various topics aimed at stimulating the growth of entrepreneurs and MSMEs. Organized by UNIDO AICEI and funded by Tamkeen.
Bahrain International Garden Show 2014 (Feb. 26th to March 1st) in cooperation with the National Initiative for Agricultural Development and the Islamic Development Bank; Bahrain Animal Production Show, Maraee (March 19th to 22nd); Bahrain Green Technology Expo and Forum (April 21st to 24th) organized by the Supreme Council for Environment in cooperation with UNIDO.
International Entrepreneurs Investment Forum (April 21st to 24th) in cooperation with the General Union for Arab Chambers of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture, Islamic Development Bank, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa; Arab Youth Conference (April 21st to 24th) in cooperation with the Arab Thought Forum; Bahrain International e-Government Forum 2014 (20th April); Launch “Entrepreneurs Economy” in cooperation with the Bahrain Television; Summer Youth Academy to be launched in April in cooperation with the Arab Thought Forum and Asian Entrepreneurs Platform to be officially launched in April.
Conduct the UNIDO Green Industry Training Program for young leaders in the Middle East and North Africa in cooperation with the University of Bahrain (June).
Co-organize the Bahrain Youth Innovation Competition “Eshabab” in cooperation with Work Smart for Event Management and Bahrain Technology Companies Society (June).
Promote and support the development of the “Entrepreneurs Gateway” in cooperation with the Southern Governorate, Gulf Future Business and Nadeem IT.
Organize the franchise Forum for entrepreneurs and MSMEs (Sept.) in cooperation with the MENA OECD Investment Center
Organize the Environmental Arab Youth Award in cooperation with the Arab Thought Forum
MENA OECD Business Plan Competition in cooperation with the MENA OECD Investment Center, Bahrain; Launching Bahrain as a regional center for excellence on project preparation and appraisal including Entrepreneurs COMFAR; innovation Workshop in cooperation with Ebtikar Association.
Official inauguration of the Agricultural Growth Pole in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipalities and Urban Planning and the Islamic Development bank
Launching of the Entrepreneurship & Innovation curriculum in cooperation with the Ministry of Education
Develop a national strategy for alleviating poverty through entrepreneurship & innovation in Sudan in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and the support of the Bank Al Khartoum
Qatar: Present the Bahrain-Arab Model experience at the First Arab Regional South-South Development Expo, Doha, Qatar Feb 19 2014
Jordan: Co-organize the Regional Conference for SMEs in Amman (April 28-29) in cooperation with the Jordan Chamber of
Lebanon: Co-Organize the Beirut International Franchise Expo (BIFEX) in Beirut (April 30-31) in cooperation with the Lebanese Franchise Association
Egypt: Institutionalize the Bahrain – Arab Model in Cairo and Alexandria in cooperation with the Social Fund for Development and the Alexandria Businessmen Association