Bahrain to host Global Entrepreneurship Congress

Manama : Bahrain will host the next edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) in April 2019, opening up new opportunities for regional and global businesses to boost cooperation.

GEC will bring together thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policymakers and other startup businesses from more than 170 countries to identify new ways of helping founders start and scale new ventures around the world. 

This was revealed during a transition ceremony held in Istanbul highlighting Bahrain’s preparations for the event. 

“This event comes in line with the country’s growing interest to expand investment in entrepreneurship, by facilitating specially designed initiatives to support the growth of a robust entrepreneurial eco-system,” Dr Ebrahim Mohammed Janahi Chief Executive of Labour Fund “Tamkeen,” said.

A panel discussion was held during the transition ceremony featuring the Bahraini delegation represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority, Bahrain Economic Development Board “EDB” and the Labour Fund “Tamkeen”. 

Discussions focused on entrepreneurship and the economic diversity, as well as the economic regulations in Bahrain which allow startups to launch, expand and maintain sustainability.

Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa participated in a panel discussion which revolved around the significance of the tourism sector and how it has become a major contributor to the national economy. 

“We are currently working on several plans to develop new beach fronts and public beaches including the development of Bahrain Bay, Diving Centre, the Hospitality and Culinary institutes, the Galali beach project and Al Muturith Island. The launch of the new exhibition and conference centre will positively impact various sectors, furthering strengthening the Kingdom’s position on the world tourism map,” Shaikh Khaled told the forum. 

“The Kingdom is also witnessing further enhancement to its tourism infrastructure, contributing 6.8% to the country’s non-oil GDP. Bahrain welcomed a total of 12.7 million tourists in 2017 which affirms the significant role of the sector in the Kingdom’s economic diversification efforts,” he added.