Manama: Swati Mandela, Vice President of the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) Global Women Leaders Committee, praised Bahrain's commitment to supporting youth-led start-ups and entrepreneurship, describing the Kingdom's efforts as a model to learn from. Speaking to Bahrain News Agency (BNA) on the sidelines of the two-day WBAF 2024, the WBAF High Commissioner in South Africa highlighted the data presented during the forum, which showed a notable increase in the number of government-awarded tenders secured by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bahrain. According to Bahrain News Agency, Mandela described this as clear evidence of the Kingdom's dedication to supporting young entrepreneurs and fostering a vibrant start-up ecosystem. She also commended the keynote address by Bahrain's Minister of Finance, which reaffirmed the Kingdom's commitment to ensuring the growth and success of small and young businesses. "Our communities are only as strong as the support systems we build for them," Mandel a said. "I am deeply impressed by what I have observed here in Bahrain and hope we can bridge gaps by learning from one another. As Africans, and South Africans in particular, we have much to learn from Bahrain's example." Mandela further reflected on Bahrain's hosting of the forum, describing the event as an impressive platform. She expressed enthusiasm for learning from the participants, business leaders, and delegates representing various societal levels. Additionally, Mandela emphasised the importance of promoting inclusivity and entrepreneurship among young start-ups, highlighting the need to empower women and build a supportive ecosystem that fosters women leaders. She noted the instrumental role of business leaders in providing financial and mentorship support to ensure women can complement and uplift each other in their entrepreneurial journeys. She also underscored the importance of collaboration between Africa and the Middle East, describing the two regions as emerging hubs for start-ups. "Develo ping nations have lagged behind, but we are catching up. Together, we can achieve amazing things by working across regions and learning from each other's success stories," she added.
Menu