700 Business leaders and entrepreneurs attend first day of Tamkeen Expo 2013

The two-day event is part of Tamkeen's efforts to support private sector enterprises and develop the skills of Bahraini citizens to make them the employees of choice.

Tamkeen Expo 2013 consists of a conference, exhibition, and a series of workshops aimed at providing a knowledge-sharing platform for entrepreneurs in particular and the private sector in general and enabling the general public to learn about Tamkeen's various support programmes through the participation of entrepreneurs who have already benefited from these programmes.

In the inaugural speech, Tamkeen's Chairman HE Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa underlined the strength of the Bahraini economy. He added that the Kingdom is taking steady and sure steps toward further progress and prosperity under the reform initiatives of His Majesty the King and the astute guidance of HRH the Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Economic Development Board - with Tamkeen being one of the cornerstones of these economic reform initiatives

He highlighted the extensive efforts that the Tamkeen team takes to design various programmes to develop the capacity of Bahraini enterprises and individuals in line with the labour market requirements. He also noted Tamkeen's efforts in advocating business concepts such as microfinance, SME funding, entrepreneurship, continuous individual training, women economic empowerment, employment support, and best management practices. The aim is to build a prosperous and diversified economy by all Bahrainis in accordance with Bahrain's Economic Vision, he said.

He added: "Through its initiatives, Tamkeen helps accomplish a series of national missions to serve the coming Bahraini generations. These initiatives set specific goals and offer realistic and innovative solutions to fulfill the aspirations and ambitions of the Bahraini people. Tamkeen's success, therefore, is linked to the success of our citizens and our kingdom as a whole. This is the criterion against which we judge our success in accomplishing our missions, and this dictates that we provide every Bahraini with the tools that he/she needs to reach his/her potential."

More than 66,000 Bahraini individuals and enterprises in Bahrain have benefited from Tamkeen programmes to date, and the total number is expected to rise to more than 100,000.

Keynote speakers of Tamkeen Expo 2013 Dr. Saad Al Barrak, ILA Group Chairman, and Ms. Rama Chakaki, Co-founder and CEO of Dubai-based Baraka Ventures, discussed the role of entrepreneurship in economic development. Dr. Saad focused in his presentation on the art of leadership and change management, while Ms. Chakaki explained the importance of social entrepreneurship in addition to the challenges that businesses face within this field and the needed solutions to overcome them.

As part of the opening ceremony, Tamkeen's Chairman H.E. Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, Tamkeen Chairman, accompanied by senior officials and participants, toured the exhibition in at the Gulf International Conventions Center. Around 80 enterprises that benefited from Tamkeen's financing, advisory, and other programmes to develop their businesses are participating in the exhibition. A number of partners and certified service providers from various economic sectors are also participating in the exhibition to introduce Tamkeen programmes to the public and encourage them to benefit from these programmes.

The series of interactive workshops within the conference and exhibition also witnessed remarkable attendance on their first day. Led by prominent experts, the workshops addressed important business-related issues like: how to set real business objectives and priorities, how enhancing quality increases profitability, discovering your passion and skills to start your business, and marketing & beyond. During the second day, workshops will be held which are titled: Exhibitions - making the most of your participation, Social media toolkit - strategies for entrepreneurs, and e-tendering.