Manama: The Labour Fund 'Tamkeen' has announced that three Bahrainis will be trained in video game development at the renowned Japanese company NatsumeAtari. This initiative is part of the Global Ready Talent Program. It aims to empower Bahrainis by enhancing their skills and accelerating their professional growth in emerging fields through international training experiences with leading global companies.
According to Bahrain News Agency, this support aligns with Tamkeen's strategic priorities for 2025, which focus on enhancing the position and competitiveness of Bahrainis in the private sector, equipping Bahrainis with suitable skills for career development in the private sector, and prioritizing enterprise growth, digitization, and sustainability, and supporting the development of the ecosystem surrounding the labor market and private sector.
Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, Chief Executive of Tamkeen, underscored Tamkeen's commitment to equipping Bahraini talent with training opportunities in innovative and globally sought-after domains. She highlighted that the initiative to train Bahrainis at NatsumeAtari marks a key step in developing their expertise in the rapidly expanding video game industry, which is valued at approximately USD 821 million in the GCC region alone.
She noted that the Global Ready Talent Program offers participants hands-on experience with international companies, accelerating their professional development while aligning with Tamkeen's 2025 strategic goals to enhance Bahraini competitiveness and support the growth and sustainability of local enterprises.
Hiro Koide, CEO of NatsumeAtari, emphasized that this initiative offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen ties between Japan and Bahrain. Through the year-long program, he hopes to share Japan's expertise with young Bahraini developers, contribute to the Kingdom's gaming industry, and foster stronger connections between the gaming sectors in Japan and the Middle East.
As part of the program, participants will gain hands-on experience in video game development and project management based on Japanese methodologies. They will also learn the Japanese language and culture, developing cultural exchange between Japan and Bahrain. Additionally, the trainees will work on projects that allow them to leverage their cultural understanding of the Middle East's market's unique needs.
Founded in Osaka, Japan, NatsumeAtari has been a pioneering company in the video game development industry for over three decades. The company is known for its innovative contributions to both the local and global gaming sectors.
Tamkeen has introduced various programs designed to support employment and career development for Bahraini professionals, ensuring they remain the first choice of employment in the labor market. Additionally, Tamkeen offers multiple enterprise support programs to strengthen the private sector, positioning it as the main driver of economic growth in the Kingdom.