Addressing the graduates on the occasion of the award of certificates to participants in the Bahrain-Arab Model scheme he lauded UNIDO and the BDB for providing a platform for such an invaluable training project which had already benefited thousands across the many continents.
“The first is a team of potential business counsellors from Mozambique, who have taken the time and effort to come to Bahrain in order to get acquainted with the Bahrain-Arab Model for Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion. The second group comprises a number of Bahrain Entrepreneurs, who have benefited from the Bahrain-Arab Model,” the Minister added.
“We take great pride in the knowledge that a country as small as Bahrain has become a center for some of the best practices on human development and entrepreneurship economic empowerment; and your presence here today, both as potential business counsellors and as Bahraini Entrepreneurs is a clear testimony to the relevance and effectiveness of the Bahrain-Arab Model,” he added.
“It has always been our belief that the route to sustainable development is based on economically empowering the people, and the level of its success is measured by how much support is provided to the human capital. Promoting investment and developing Small and Medium Enterprises requires well groomed entrepreneurs who seek opportunities and challenge themselves to succeed, coupled with a set of value added services; and this is exactly what the Bahrain – Arab Model methodology was able to do,” the Minister explained.
In developing this scheme, he said, the Government of Bahrain embarked on a strategic partnership with UNIDO in 1999 to provide full support to potential entrepreneurs, and all the relevant organs of Government have geared their efforts towards achieving this goal.
“Due to our success and achievements thus far, many countries have requested our support in developing the Bahrain Arab Model in their respective countries. Accordingly, the programme is currently being implemented in thirty two countries from Uruguay through Sierra Leone and all the way to China; and proudly in Mozambique,” he added.
The Minister thanked UNIDO for their relentless efforts in economically empowering the youth on entrepreneurship, both locally and internationally.
“I would also like to take this opportunity of reiterating the full commitment of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Bahrain to share its best practices and expertise for the smooth implementation of the Bahrain-Arab Model into Mozambique. For our Bahraini Entrepreneurs, rest assured that the Ministry together with its partners will do its utmost to ensure that you realize your dreams and expectations in economic development.”
The head of UNIDO in Bahrain Dr Hashim Hussain also highlighted the importance of these training workshops and interactive programmes aimed at transfer of knowledge to promising youths and mid-career business owners.