Manama: His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Isa bin Salman Educational Charitable Trust and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), met with Khalid Hobballah, J.P. Morgan's MENA Region Chief Executive.
According to Bahrain News Agency, HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman highlighted the Kingdom of Bahrain's ongoing efforts to enhance its appeal as a premier investment destination. These efforts are driven by a competitive business environment and a skilled national workforce, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the commitment of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman pointed out Bahrain's success in attracting investment and establishing strategic partnerships with leading international institutions. This approach contributes to advancing the Kingdom's comprehensive development and strengthening its global competitiveness. His Highness stressed that investing in national talent and providing high-quality opportunities is a strategic priority aimed at enhancing the competencies of Bahraini talent and empowering their contribution to Bahrain's national development.
During the meeting, HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman was briefed on the progress of joint initiatives between Tamkeen and J.P. Morgan, including the launch of the Technology Centre of Excellence in Bahrain. This initiative aims to support the development of Bahraini talent in the ICT sector by offering advanced training and high-quality employment opportunities, reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a regional FinTech hub.
HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman emphasized the importance of aligning training programs with labor market needs to ensure Bahrainis are the first and preferred choice of employment in the market, in line with Tamkeen's mission. His Highness also highlighted the role of the private sector in driving workforce competitiveness by expanding access to meaningful training and career opportunities across industries.
Khaled Hobballah, J.P. Morgan's MENA Region Senior Country Officer, expressed his appreciation for the Kingdom of Bahrain's strong support for innovation and digital transformation across sectors. He commended Tamkeen's efforts, led by HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman, in fostering specialized initiatives that drive technological progress. Hobballah noted that this strong support and recognition provide a powerful incentive for J.P. Morgan to continue expanding its presence in Bahrain in alignment with the Kingdom's long-term development objectives.