Bahrain Prioritizes Citizens in Development Plans, Says Shaikh Isa bin Salman

His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Court and Chairman of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), affirmed that Bahrain’s unwavering commitment to placing its citizens at the forefront of national development plans and programs reflects the visions of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

HH Shaikh Isa stressed that the Kingdom’s national workforce, through its dedication and determination, remains the cornerstone of Bahrain’s progress, consistently proving its capability to contribute effectively across various sectors and supporting the Kingdom’s growth and development.

The remarks came as HH chaired the third-quarter meeting of the Tamkeen Board of Directors for 2025. During the session, he directed the development of Tamkeen’s new strategic plan for 2026–2030, aimed at sustaining economic growth by focusing on two primary objectives: enhancing the skills of Bahraini talent to ensure they remain the top choice in the labor market, and supporting the growth and innovation of private sector enterprises as key drivers of the national economy.

The meeting also reviewed Tamkeen’s key achievements up to the end of the third quarter of 2025, measured against strategic priorities and performance indicators. Updates were also provided on the fund’s three core initiatives: supporting new entrants to the labor market, enabling career development, and advancing private sector enterprises.

Tamkeen Chief Executive, Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, presented the results, highlighting that more than 14,100 Bahrainis have benefited from programs facilitating entry into the labor market, while over 17,800 nationals received support for upskilling and career growth. Additionally, more than 5,900 enterprises across various sectors received assistance in areas such as growth, digital transformation, and productivity enhancement.

The past quarter also saw the launch of the “Digital Enablement Program,” designed to help enterprises adopt innovative digital solutions. The program provides two tracks: one in which businesses can access certified digital service providers offering tailored solutions, and another that allows enterprises the flexibility to choose their own providers to meet specific operational needs.

This year marks the final year of Tamkeen’s 2020–2025 strategy cycle, which has focused on strengthening the competitiveness of Bahrainis in the private sector, equipping them with skills for career progression, and prioritizing the growth, digitization, and sustainability of enterprises. The strategy also emphasized fostering an enabling ecosystem to boost labor market efficiency and private sector productivity, thereby supporting sustainable economic development.