tourism minister bahrain

Fatima Jaafar Al-Sairafi inducted new Tourism Minister of Bahrain

TDT | Manama       

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

In a Royal decree issued by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa inducting new members into the Cabinet, Fatima Jaafar Al-Sairafi has been announced as the new Tourism Minister. Here is a brief profile on her:-

Fatima Jaafar Al-Sairafi is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Higher Education Council.

Before joining the BTEA, Ms. Al Sairafi was at the National Communication Centre (NCC) where she held the position of Director of the Strategic Planning and the Director of Communication and Media Relations in which she supervised the development and implementation of the governments communication strategy and facilitated communication between different government bodies with regional and international media.

Ms. Al Sairafi also headed the Government Communication Department at the Ministry of Information Affairs prior to joining the NCC where she managed strategic communication and media projects. She previously worked there as a Senior Researcher.

Prior to joining the government sector, Ms. Fatima Al-Sairafi worked in the banking sector in areas related to private equity and investment portfolio management in Ibdaar Bank and The Family Office in Bahrain as well as Wells Fargo in the United States of America.

Ms. Fatima Al-Sairafi holds a bachelor’s degree of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing (second Class Honors) from the University of Sunderland in the United Kingdom, a master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and Managing Change from DePaul University in the United States of America and an Executive Business Fellowship Program Certificate – Wharton Business School from the University of Pennsylvania in the United States of America.

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Fatima Jaafar Al Sairafi Minister of Tourism Interview

Bahrain | Tourism

Fatima Jaafar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism: Interview

Interview: fatima jaafar al sairafi.

Where do you identify the main priorities of the 2022-26 tourism strategy?

FATIMA JAAFAR AL SAIRAFI: The new tourism strategy forms part of the national Economic Recovery Plan following the Covid-19 pandemic. The strategy was developed by the government as a roadmap to enhance a sector that has significant potential to diversify revenue streams and contribute to the national economy.

The latest tourism strategy is an expansion of the 2016-19 strategy, which helped to increase the sector’s contribution to GDP from 4.6% to more than 6%. The strategy focuses on aesthetic improvement while also targeting the strategic segments of business, sport, leisure, medical and cultural tourism. Its main objectives are to increase the number of tourists visiting the kingdom to 14.1m by 2026; boost the average daily spending by visitors to BD74.80 ($198); raise the average amount of time spent in the country to 3.5 days; and grow the sector’s contribution to GDP to 11.4% by 2026.

To achieve these goals, the ministry is engaged in efforts to facilitate entry, diversify and develop attractions, enhance accommodations, and improve marketing and promotion. This final element will be achieved in partnership with private sector partners and the national carrier, Gulf Air.

What steps can be taken to ensure small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) benefit from international events in Bahrain?

AL SAIRAFI: Local SMEs can benefit significantly from international events held in the country. For example, destination management companies cater to the thousands of tourists that come to Bahrain for events by creating excursions and itineraries, while other companies provide transport and tour services. The national tourism strategy can only be successful if the ministry and the private sector collaborate on its implementation. To illustrate this point, plans developed in partnership with the private sector have fuelled the 30% recovery achieved by the hospitality industry in 2022.

To what extent will greater collaboration among tourism stakeholders enhance Bahrain’s attractiveness as a tourist destination?

AL SAIRAFI: Companies need to be empowered and supported in order to succeed and contribute to the sector’s growth. The Ministry of Tourism is working hand in hand with stakeholders across all projects, whether collaborating with government stakeholders to build key infrastructure projects – as was the case for the newly launched Exhibition World Bahrain – or tapping into new markets by working with the national carrier and tour operators.

Collaboration with other countries in the region is also important. As such, we are holding meetings, signing memoranda of understanding, exchanging ideas and drawing up joint tourism programmes with our neighbours. The November 2022 meeting between the GCC ministers of tourism saw discussions about the Gulf Tourism Strategy, the Capital of Gulf Tourism, the GCC tourism guide and the GCC tourism platform, as well as an array of other topics.

How do you view the role of tourism in generating new investment opportunities?

AL SAIRAFI: The growth of tourism also means growth in spending and investment capacity in the market. This is directly linked to Bahrain’s business-friendly status. Our objective to increase tourism’s contribution to GDP underscores the significant investment opportunities in the sector.

The ministry’s ongoing efforts to position Bahrain as a global tourism destination has also piqued the interest of investors. Thanks to these developments, investors from the Middle East and East Asia are expected to enter the market in the coming years.

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New Law Empowers Bahrain Tourism Minister To Impose Temporary Shutdowns And Fines Up To BD30,000

Revolutionising the landscape of Bahrain’s tourism sector, the Services Committee of the Parliament has given the nod for groundbreaking legislation, amplifying the authority of the Minister of Tourism.

Under the new law, the minister gains unprecedented power to enact temporary shutdowns and impose fines of up to BD30,000 on tourism facilities found violating regulations, marking a pivotal move to fortify industry standards and ensure a robust tourism environment.

The new legislation is expected to reshape the landscape of the tourism sector in the Kingdom and result in the introduction of robust measures to safeguard the industry. Under the amended legislation, the Minister of Tourism gains the power to impose restrictions or conditions on licenced services, ensuring the protection and vitality of the tourism sector.

The expanded authority encompasses a range of measures, including the ability to downgrade the classification of a tourism facility, temporarily suspend its licence or activities for up to three months, and even partially or completely close the facility until violations are rectified. Notably, the minister can now levy daily administrative fines for non-compliance and violation removal.

The fines are structured, with a first-time offence incurring a daily fine of up to BD100, while repeated violations within three years may result in a daily fine of up to BD200. The total administrative fines are capped at BD20,000, with an additional discretionary fine not exceeding BD30,000, considering the severity of the violation.

The minister, armed with the authority granted by the legislation, can issue a decree specifying violations, corresponding fine amounts, and additional penalties as deemed necessary.

This move is part of ongoing efforts to regulate the tourism sector, foster its development, and ensure a dependable tourism environment. These amendments, targeting three key articles of the tourism law, aim to diversify income sources and align with Bahrain’s overarching tourism strategy.

The introduction of graduated administrative penalties fills a legislative gap, which is crucial for maintaining national tourism standards and reputation. The urgency of issuing this legislative decree as a law underscores its significance in addressing offences in line with their severity.

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Ministry of Information | وزارة الاعلام | Kingdom of Bahrain

Tourism and Culture

Bahrain enjoys a long and diversified historical and cultural legacy. Manama was nominated as the Capital of Arab Culture in 2012, the Capital of Arab Tourism in 2013 and the Capital of Asian Tourism in 2014. In 2013, the headquarters of the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage under the auspices of UNESCO was founded in Bahrain. Bahrain Pearling Trail and Qal’at Al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort) were two properties inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list for the years 2005 and 2012, respectively.

According to The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2013 of the World Economic Forum, Bahrain ranked 3rd among Arab states and 55th globally. The number of arrivals via sea, air and land reached 12.4 million in 2013, and the number of hotel guests was 1.069 million for 1.99 million tourist nights.

Bahrain has many remarkable archeological and historical sites which reflect its rich history and civilization; the most important of which are:

• Historic Forts such as: The Qal’at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort), the center of the Dilmun civilization, resides on an archeological hill built more than 4000 years ago; Arad Fort, one of Bahrain’s most important fortified castles, overlooks various sea passages of Muharraq’s shallow seashores. In the past, there was an inaccessible marine channel which was controlled by the local people to prevent ships from breaking through to the island where the fort is located.  It was built in the style of Islamic forts at the end of the 15th and early 16th centuries; Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al Fateh Fort, commonly known as Riffa Fort due to its location, was built by Shaikh Ahmed Al Fateh on the ruins of an old fort in 1812. The fort was later converted into a residence and then became the government’s office in 1869. Since the seventies of the last century, it has become an important historical site.
• National Museums such as:  Bahrain Fort Museum, located along the northern waterfront of the Fort, was opened on the 18th of February 2008 as a witness on the importance of archeological sites. With 500 artefacts showcased, the long settlement history of the site is evoked to the unique backdrop of the wall, which recreates the different archaeological layers uncovered at the site; Bahrain National Museum, the first museum to open in the Arab Gulf region in 1988, is the crowning achievement of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s ongoing efforts to preserve the nation’s heritage and history; The Heritage Centre and Museum of Pearl Diving commemorates Bahrain’s culture of pearl diving.
• Religious Sites such as: Al Khamis Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the Arab world and was built during the Umayyad period in 692; Al Fateh Mosque, built in 1987 and named after Shaikh Ahmed Al Fateh, is considered the biggest mosque in Bahrain. It has the capacity to accommodate over 7,000 worshippers at a time; Beit Al-Quran as well as churches and other temples.
• The Bahrain pearling trail is a 3.5 km trail located in the island of Muharraq. The pathway consists of 17 buildings in Murharraq, 3 oyster beds located in the nearby sea, a segment of the coast and the seafront of Bu Mahir fortress in the southern tip of Muharraq. The buildings listed were the residences and majlises of rich pearl merchants and includes the home of Bahrain’s ruler between 1869 to 1932, Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, along with shopping establishments, storage houses and the Siyadi family mosque.
• Bahrain has many touristic places and more than one hundred elegant hotels. There is a wide range of entertainment and environmental and sports activities, many historical houses to visit, as well as gardens, parks, resorts and elegant malls.
• Gardens and parks such as: Al Areen Wildlife Park, Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Park in Hidd, and lots of beaches, water parks, sports and entertainment clubs.
• National Theatre of Bahrain, the 3rd largest theatre in the Arab world and can seat 1001 people, and lots of cinemas, national theatres, historic and cultural houses.
• Bahrain International Circuit: the home of motorsport in the Middle East, and it has been hosting Formula 1 World Championship since 2004.
• An Arab and international centre for exhibitions and conferences. Bahrain hosts more than 139 events annually, of which 43 are international exhibitions ranging between economic, commercial, industrial, cultural and environmental exhibitions, including the Bahrain International Air Show, Bahrain Garden Show, Bahrain International Book Fair and Fine Arts Exhibition.
• Hosting many events and festivals such as the Spring of Culture, Bahrain Summer Festival and Ta2 AlShabab.

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Bahrain completes largest Cabinet reshuffle, adding four women

New members to take oath of office after exercise that changed 17 out of 22 ministers.

Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa chairs a session with the departing Cabinet. Bahrain News Agency

Bahrain ’s new Cabinet will take the oath of office on Wednesday, after King Hamad ordered the country's largest reshuffle.

The reshuffle changed 17 out of 22 ministers and included the appointment of new ministers for the oil, tourism and industry portfolios.

Many of the incoming Cabinet ministers are from the younger generation and there are four women.

Mohammed bin Mubarak, who was the country's envoy for climate affairs, was named Minister of Oil and Environment, replacing Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa.

The reshuffle, announced on Monday, also included the appointment of Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah as sole Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure, Zayed Al Zayani as Industry and Commerce Minister and Fatima Al Sairafi as Tourism Minister.

“We look forward with optimism, determination and responsibility to the coming days to achieve more gains and accomplishments in various sectors, to enhance Bahrain's advanced position at all levels,” said Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Salman bin Hamad.

The reshuffle includes the creation of four new ministries, plus the separation of some ministries to become separate entities and also the transfer of some sectors into new ministries.

The new ministries include a Ministry of Sustainable Development, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Legal Affairs and Ministry of Infrastructure.

The municipalities and agriculture ministry has been separated from the Ministry of Works.

The social development sector has been separated from the Ministry of Labour to become two separate ministries. The urban planning sector has been added to the Ministry of Housing, while the environment portfolio has been added to the Ministry of Oil.

The kingdom's economy is expected to grow by 3 per cent this year on the back of higher oil prices and output, and a rebound from the Covid-19 pandemic, a report by the National Bank of Kuwait released last month said.

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Tourism Minister recognises 14 elite hotels for exceptional contribution to “Celebrate Bahrain” success

Fatima Al Sairafi, the Minister of Tourism in Bahrain, emphasised the crucial role of hotels in the success of the Bahrain Festive season, and commended their efforts in hosting hundreds of thousands of visitors and tourists, providing exceptional accommodation packages, and strategically promoting their services and facilities to attract a diverse global audience.

 This statement was made during a recognition ceremony hosted by the minister to honour 14 hotels that significantly contributed to the resounding success of the Bahrain Festive season.

 The recognised hotels included The Gulf Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, Regency Intercontinental Hotel, Sofitel Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa Resort, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Signature Hotel, The Grove Hotel, Wyndham Grand Manama Hotel, The Art Hotel & Resort, Vida Beach Resort Marassi, Address Beach Resort, Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort and Spa, The K Hotel and Novotel Al Dana Resort.

The Minister of Tourism highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, alongside various partners, sponsors, and supporters, which culminated in the Kingdom attracting approximately 100,000 visitors, both individuals and families, during the season.

She commented: “This achievement was made possible through the collaboration between these hotels and BTEA in launching premium tourism packages that cater to the diverse needs of tourists during Bahrain’s Festive season, along with the crucial support and endeavours of the private sector. The Ministry is committed to consistently elevating standards in excellence and innovation, meeting the aspirations of all stakeholders, diversifying the tourism product, enhancing tourist seasons, and orchestrating captivating events throughout the entire year.”

Fatima Al Sairafi emphasised that the successful models presented by supporting and contributing entities positively influenced the active role of collaboration throughout the season. This helped strengthen the frameworks of community partnership and communication between the Ministry of Tourism, BTEA and all partners. She specifically highlighted the successful partnership with the private hotel sector, which played a pivotal role in the success of the Bahrain Festive season, resulting in a substantial increase in the number of tourists and visitors to the Kingdom during the month of December.

 The Minister of Tourism conveyed her gratitude to the participating hotels, acknowledging their efforts in contributing to the celebrations of the national holidays in the Kingdom of Bahrain. She also appreciated the Ministry’s initiatives aimed at promoting the tourism sector and boosting tourist arrivals and hotel room occupancy.

 The Minister underscored the significance of intensifying effective collaboration between the public and private sectors, urging for their progression to more integrated levels, and emphasised that such advancements are crucial to align with desired aspirations, and ensure the sustained presence of Bahrain in the regional and international tourism markets.

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A High-Level Bahrain Delegation Wraps Up a Successful Visit to China

/ Press Release / A High-Level Bahrain Delegation Wraps Up a Successful Visit to China

Manama, Bahrain 28, October 2023. A high-level Bahrain delegation headed by H.E. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce and Acting Minister of Tourism, successfully concluded its official visit to China, which kicked off as of October 21 spanning across the three cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beijing.

Organised by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) with the support of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), the visit was designed to strengthen economic ties and attract high-impact investment projects to Bahrain, with a focus on priority industry sectors.

In addition to key officials from the MOIC and senior executives from Bahrain EDB, including its Chief Executive, H.E. Khalid Humaidan, the delegation comprised senior representatives from Bahrain’s public and private sectors, including representatives from the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry headed by its Second Vice Chairman, Mohamed Abduljabbar AlKooheji.

In addition to the site visits and meetings organised with government officials, the agenda included a series of investor meetings and two keynote economic forums focused on attracting leading investment projects with a focus on the manufacturing and information and communication technology (ICT) sectors.

The first, titled ‘China GCC Economic and Trade Forum’ was hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China in Guangzhou, and the second was hosted by Bahrain EDB with the support of the Chinese Overseas Development Association (CODA) in Beijing. Additionally, CODA hosted an exclusive session for the Bahrain business delegation held in honour of the 20th anniversary of CODA.

On the sidelines of the events, Gulf Air announced its two new direct routes to Guangzhou and Shanghai, in line with its plans to continue to expand its global network of destinations. The two routes, which are set to operate from January 2024 , will include direct flights from Bahrain International Airport (BIA) to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), are expected to enhance trade and tourism ties.

During the visit to Beijing, Bahrain signed four agreements to further strengthen ties with China, including the signing of a Letter of Intent of the Corporation Plan on the Belt and Road Initiative between Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Development and Reform Commission of China, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation in the field of Tourism, signed between Bahrain’s Ministry of Tourism and China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Additionally, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce signed two MOUs with China’s National Intellectual Property Administration in the field of Intellectual Property and on the Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program.

H.E Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, the Minister of Industry and Commerce and Acting Minister of Tourism, said, “This trip was paramount in enabling us to demonstrate to leading manufacturers, technology companies, and tourism enterprises in China that are expanding globally the unique benefits of setting up in Bahrain, with the aim of further building upon existing commercial and trade ties for the mutual benefit of both countries.”

China remains one of Bahrain’s top five largest trading partners wherein as of 2022, the volume of non-oil bilateral trade between both nations reached approximately USD 2.4 billion. Beyond heavily contributing to the completion of large-scale construction and infrastructure projects, various China-based companies benefit from established operations in Bahrain which provides strategic access to the wider Gulf market.

This includes Huawei, which has its Middle East and Central Asia Headquarters based in Bahrain, CPIC Fiberglass, the largest leading fiberglass manufacturer in China which has a facility set up in Bahrain International Investment Park, and KKC Industries WLL (iCOOL), a Chinese manufacturer of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) products, where through its manufacturing facility in Bahrain produces and exports key products across the Middle East, United States, and European markets.

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Tourism Ministry promotes Bahrain-UAE-Israel vacation package

Tourism minister haim katz says a joint effort will be made to fulfill the potential of transforming the middle east into a leading tourism destination in the asian market.

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• Bahrain: New tourist levy on hotel accommodations

The Ministry of Tourism introduced a new tourist levy on hotel accommodations.

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The Ministry of Tourism introduced a new tourist levy of BHD 3 per room per day on hotel accommodations—effective 1 May 2024.

Read a  May 2024 report  prepared by the KPMG member firm in Bahrain

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UN forum in Bahrain: Innovation as the key to solving global problems

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A major UN forum opened on Tuesday in Bahrain. Its mission: to empower entrepreneurial leaders who can build a brighter future and achieve sustainable development for all.

Getting under way in Manama, the fifth World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum ( WEIF ), with a key focus on Arab and African regions, is being held under the theme of ‘Achieving the [ Sustainable Development Goals ] through Fostering Innovation and Economic Growth’.  

Over the next three days, the forum will weigh urgent issues such as poverty, inequality, and climate change, examined within the framework of the SDGs.

With a robust coalition of stakeholders driving the agenda, the WEIF sets the stage for transformative dialogue and action-oriented initiatives aimed at reshaping the global economic landscape while advancing sustainable development objectives.  

Under the stewardship of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization ( UNIDO ) Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Bahrain, the WEIF has garnered support from a consortium of influential partners. 

Collaborators include the League of Arab States, the Union of Arab Chambers, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, the Shenzhen Federation for Entrepreneurship Promotion, alongside various local, regional, and international entities.

Private sector’s critical role  

In an interview with UN News , Fatou Haidara, UNIDO Deputy Director-General, emphasized the pivotal role of the private sector in economic development, particularly in the developing world.  

She highlighted, “It shows the importance of [this] gathering, not only for the private sector but for all actors, policymakers, academia, investment, and financial institutions to come together and see how we can accelerate implementation of the SDGs.”

Highlighting the imperative of working together, Ms. Haidara asserted: “The challenges we are facing today cannot be tackled by one entity, one group. We need collective effort.”  

With a focus on fostering partnerships, WEIF aims to galvanize international cooperation, uniting Arab and African stakeholders to promote investment and entrepreneurship development.

Ms. Haidara also underscored the pivotal role of the private sector in driving investment, technology, and innovation, stressing that these key players will accelerate SDG implementation.

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Rethink, reshape development investing

During the opening session, Rola Dashti, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), articulated the forum’s commitment to translating the SDGs into tangible outcomes.  

“The theme of our Forum, Six Transition Investment Pathways to deliver the SDGs, challenges us to rethink and reshape our approaches across sectors such as energy and digital connectivity,” she explained.

Ms. Dashti urged stakeholders to leverage digital transformation and enhance education systems to combat climate change and create inclusive jobs, emphasizing the urgent need for strategic partnerships to address pressing global challenges.

‘Architects of the next revolution’  

Ms. Dashti went on to highlight the pivotal role of young leaders and entrepreneurs, stressing that they are “the architects of the next revolution in global development... Let us be inspired by the collaborative spirit of this forum and remember that our work does not end here.”

She encouraged the Forums’ participants to harness their ideas to bridge the ‘digital divide’, create sustainable environments, and forge pathways out of poverty.

Academia’s role

WEIF also underscores the importance of partnerships across sectors, including academia.  

In that context, Lydia Takyi from Ghana’s AAMUSTED University emphasized the forum’s timeliness in addressing employment challenges faced by graduates.

It was vital, she said, to provide students with entrepreneurship skills – the University’s core mandate – and access to smart finance and networking opportunities, underscoring the role of academic institutions in fostering innovation and economic growth.

The WEIF also calls for academic institutions to escalate investment in research and development, as such a strategic move can birth new technologies capable of addressing some of the world's most daunting challenges.  

The Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania is implementing that as it has found ways to empower its students even before they graduate. It has set up a Sokoine University Graduates Entrepreneurs Cooperative, SUGECO, which works as an incubator for graduates.  

Speaking to UN News on the margins of the forum, Revocatus Kimario, Executive Director of SUGECO, says, “We want to commercialize agriculture; we have the students; now we provide them with entrepreneurship skills as well as technology.”  

Currently, SUGECO has established a solar-powered irrigation system. The technology allows the Cooperative’s members to farm sustainably, and now they have even secured a market for sweet water lemon in Dubai, UAE.  

“We want to make farming the first choice and not the last choice for university graduates,” says Mr. Kimario, who attended the forum as an entrepreneur.

Financing and networking

Promoting entrepreneurship by providing access to smart finance and networking opportunities is another approach that UNIDO is citing to promote the SDGs.  

Olive Zaitun Kigongo, President of the Uganda Chamber of Commerce, notes that today, African countries “are giving away our resources to developed countries. We are exporting jobs and resources.”

“Lots of Ugandans are working abroad because they cannot be employed in Uganda,” she told a panel discussion on building sustainable partnerships.  

Ms. Kigongo added, “We must add value to our resources; without that, small and medium enterprises will never grow. Let’s join hands, as two heads are better than one. You have money, and we have resources.”

Bahrain and multilateralism

“The timing of...the WEIF this year coincides with the Arab League summit, where the Secretary-General António Guterres will be attending in person,” according to Khaled El Mekwad, UN Resident Coordinator in Bahrain.

“The sequence of the two events reflects the increasing role Bahrain is playing in the multilateral platform and positioning itself as a proactive player,” he explains.

“The holding of the WEIF this year coincides with the formulation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the period 2025 to 2029. And what we did this year, we held a series of consultations and negotiations with the government and national stakeholders at different levels to be able to formulate the new cooperation framework.”

Mr. El Mekwad said this year was the first-time civil society was included as part of the national stakeholders, in addition to the private sector and other development partners in Bahrain.  

“The national ownership was reflected in the discussions where the government of Bahrain embraced the consultations and the negotiations, and we came together with the main pillars of the new cooperation framework, which will be the cooperation framework for Bahrain,” he concluded.

‘Believe in yourself’

Reem Seyam, President of the Economic Businesswoman Council in the Federation of Egyptian Chamber of Commerce and a Board Member of the World Chamber Federation, is among the beneficiaries of UNIDO training programmes.  

Speaking to UN News, she had a message for women entrepreneurs:

“I received UNIDO training in 2015 here in Bahrain, through the UNIDO-ITPO office. I really benefited from this training. It helped me in my business and opened doors to financial institutions and banks. My message to women entrepreneurs is believe in yourself.”

‘Orange economy’

On Wednesday, WEIF 2024 will focus on, among other topics, harnessing agricultural technology for food security, and the role of the so-called ‘orange economy’ – made up of creative sectors that can help fast track the SDGs.  

Among the key speakers on the forum’s second day will be Mr. Felipe Buitrago, Former Minister of Culture, Colombia, who is known as the founding father of the Orange Economy.

According to the UN, the creative economy is an evolving concept based on the contribution and potential of creative assets to contribute to economic growth and development. It embraces economic, cultural and social aspects interacting with technology, intellectual property and tourism objectives: it is a set of knowledge-based, and thus more localized, economic activities with a development dimension and cross-cutting linkages at macro and micro levels to the overall economy. 

• entrepreneurship