Al sakhir: His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, accompanied by his sons, hosted a gathering at Al Sakhir Palace attended by senior members of the royal family, advisors, ministers, business leaders, and citizens from various governorates, including achievers from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the meeting commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran and a speech by His Majesty the King, who expressed his pleasure at meeting distinguished Bahraini professionals from multiple disciplines. His Majesty emphasized the purpose of the meeting was to recognize Bahraini entrepreneurs and owners of start-ups and small enterprises for their contributions that extend beyond commercial success to impactful national economic contributions through creativity and sustainable investments.
His Majesty praised the resilience of Bahraini entrepreneurs in overcoming market challenges and expanding internationally. He highlighted the strong foundation of Bahrain's private sector, built on modern systems and long-standing commercial traditions, which forms a cornerstone of national development and future aspirations. The positive performance of this sector, His Majesty noted, reinforces confidence in Bahrain's economic environment and investment climate, supported by diverse services and institutional cooperation, particularly with the Labour Fund (Tamkeen).
His Majesty expressed appreciation to Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, and the ministry's staff, as well as the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for their relentless efforts in positioning Bahrain as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. His Majesty concluded by wishing everyone continued success.
The achievers from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce were then invited to greet His Majesty, who congratulated them on their contributions to advancing Bahrain's industrial and commercial sectors. Minister Fakhro delivered a speech expressing gratitude for His Majesty's support, which has bolstered the Kingdom's standing as a leading industrial and commercial hub, driven by the vision of His Majesty and the government, led by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The Industry Minister outlined the implementation of the Industrial Sector Strategy (2022-2026), emphasizing sustainable manufacturing's role in making the sector the second-largest GDP contributor. Efforts to enhance the presence of Bahraini products regionally and internationally were discussed, including participation in the Integrated Industrial Partnership resulting in supply agreements exceeding USD 3 billion.
Minister Fakhro also highlighted ongoing development of economic and industrial zones to attract high-value investments, and negotiations for over ten free trade agreements to facilitate global market access for Bahraini products. Legislative initiatives, such as the Secured Transactions Law and a corporate credit rating platform, were also mentioned as part of efforts to improve market access and financing.
Bahraini entrepreneurs and innovators had the honour of meeting His Majesty, drawing motivation from his vision and guidance to continue their creative journeys. Fakhro reiterated the ministry's commitment to continue its work under His Majesty's leadership.
Finally, the Minister of Industry and Commerce presented a commemorative gift to His Majesty, and attendees expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet the King, commending his direct communication with citizens and ongoing dedication to their interests.
The entrepreneurs and innovators who met His Majesty included notable figures like Ali Mohammed Ibrahim Dhaif Ahmed of Parcel Delivery, Nahla Mahmood Yousef Mahmood Al Mahmood of Lalabella, and Amina Abduljabbar Mohammed Al Abbasi of Amina Gallery, among others, each contributing uniquely to Bahrain's economy and society.