Bahrain

On a mission to Bahrain from 21 to 22 January 2007, Director-General Kandeh K. Yumkella participated in a High-Level Ministerial Meeting on the implementation of a joint UNIDO-AGFUND programme in the Mano River Union

During the meeting, discussions were focused on the timing of the activities, the major stakeholders involved in the project, and the location of the Enterprise Development Units. Bahraini senior government officials expressed their full appreciation of UNIDO programmes aimed at poverty reduction through developing productive capacities. Special appreciation was expressed for the application of the South-South mechanism used in transferring experience and knowledge compiled by Bahrain and other Arab countries when implementing the "Investment and Enterprise Development Programme". The constructive role of the UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office Bahrain was repeatedly underlined.

The UNIDO Director General was a keynote speaker at the Water Middle East 2007 Conference and Technology Exhibition. Following that event the UNIDO delegation visited the Kuwait Finance House (KFH) Science and Technology Park project being established with UNIDO assistance, and further cooperation between KFH and UNIDO in the development of the Technology Park was discussed.

When the UNIDO Director General travelled to Bahrain, he met with the Minister of Industry and Commerce, H. E. Dr. Hassan Fakhroo, as well as other high-ranking officials from the Islamic Development Bank, the Bahrain Development Bank, Kuwait Finance House, Venture Capital Bank and EMAAR Industries and Investments. The Bahrain Business Incubators Centre and the UNIDO/Kuwait Finance House and Technology Park were also visited.

In its continuous efforts to promote entrepreneurship in the private sector, the UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Bahrain through its Arab Regional Center initiated the Bahrain Model for Entrepreneurship and Investment Training (ARCEIT) whose approach to business management (known as the "Bahrain Model") provides capacity-building and training to young entrepreneurs seeking to set up their own businesses. The training is followed by an extensive period of counselling to develop and assess the viability of each project through a business plan. It is during this phase that joint ventures and/or partnerships are established and any technology connections are facilitated. Based on the viability of the business plan, linkages with financial institutions are arranged. The Bahrain Business Incubator Center is the first of its kind in the region and was developed through the joint initiative and efforts of the Bahrain Development Bank, the Ministry of Industry and UNIDO.