Manama, Feb. 11 (BNA): Below the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the World Entrepreneurs Funding Discussion board (WEIF) 2026, hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain opened as we speak on the Bahrain Worldwide Exhibition and Conference Centre. The opening was attended by Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and Nationwide Financial system.
Additionally current on the opening had been Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary Common of the Arab League; Gerd Müller, Director Common of the United Nations Industrial Improvement Organisation (UNIDO), and senior officers. The discussion board brings collectively policymakers, traders and entrepreneurs to advance entrepreneurship and innovation as drivers of sustainable financial development.
The Minister of Finance and Nationwide Financial system mentioned the Kingdom of Bahrain, underneath the management of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, continues to strengthen an built-in nationwide ecosystem that helps entrepreneurship and innovation, serving to remodel high-quality concepts into sustainable funding alternatives.
He famous that authorities initiatives and programmes, led by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, have enhanced the competitiveness of the nationwide financial system and contributed to creating an atmosphere supportive of entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small and medium-sized enterprises.
He additionally highlighted the function of the UNIDO Funding and Know-how Promotion Workplace in Bahrain, stressing the significance of investing in human capital via abilities improvement, steady studying and sensible coaching.
He mentioned these efforts contribute to getting ready a nationwide workforce able to preserving tempo with world financial shifts and strengthening the resilience of Bahrain’s labour market.
As a part of the discussion board programme, the Minister toured the accompanying exhibition, which incorporates three sections: the Faculty Olympiad, a productive households part showcasing home-based enterprises, and an innovation and expertise part for individuals with disabilities.
He reviewed initiatives and programmes on show that replicate creativity and innovation, noting their contribution to supporting nationwide expertise and selling inclusion and group empowerment.
In his speech, Arab League Secretary Common Ahmed Aboul Gheit recommended Bahrain’s efforts in organising and internet hosting the discussion board and famous the extent of cooperation amongst collaborating entities.
He thanked the Kingdom of Bahrain, its management, authorities and folks for the hospitality, and expressed appreciation to HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for his patronage of the occasion. He underscored the function of entrepreneurship and innovation in attaining sustainable improvement, stressing the significance of strengthening Arab financial integration and funding to contribute to complete improvement necessities.
UNIDO Director Common Gerd Müller mentioned the world has the capabilities, information and assets wanted to confront improvement and financial challenges, however that the present stage requires robust will, renewed worldwide cooperation and broader funding momentum.
He famous that entrepreneurship and innovation are central to industrial improvement, including that supporting entrepreneurs, significantly girls and youth, represents a direct funding in constructing extra resilient and inclusive societies.
In his remarks, Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Trade and Commerce, outlined the Nationwide Innovation Technique (2025–2035), which focuses on supporting analysis and improvement, enabling innovation-driven start-ups, creating nationwide expertise and abilities, and advancing digital transformation.
He mentioned the target was to contribute to constructing a knowledge-based econom capable of generate sustainable development alternatives.
He referred to the efforts of the Small and Medium Enterprises Improvement Board to strengthen the financing ecosystem via initiatives resembling a credit standing system and the secured transactions regulation, geared toward facilitating entry to regional and worldwide markets and reinforcing Bahrain’s place as a regional hub for entrepreneurship and funding.
Moreover, Dr Hashem Hussain, Head of UNIDO’s Funding and Know-how Promotion Workplace in Bahrain, mentioned the discussion board displays years of labor to assist entrepreneurs worldwide.
He famous that entry to abilities, funding and alternatives is important for financial improvement, including that governments, improvement companions and the non-public sector share accountability for eradicating limitations, empowering girls, youth and individuals with disabilities, and supporting inventive home-based entrepreneurs.
The sixth version of the World Entrepreneurs Funding Discussion board is a global platform that brings collectively decision-makers, traders and entrepreneurs from around the globe.
It’s organised by UNIDO’s Funding and Know-how Promotion Workplace in Bahrain, in partnership with the Arab League, the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, the Union of Arab Chambers, and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Trade, with a deal with advancing the Sustainable Improvement Objectives via entrepreneurship and innovation.
