UNIDO's Bahrain Model adopted in 48 countries

Manama : The Bahrain version of a United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) programme is going places. Taking a cue from “Bahrain Model,” which assists aspiring entrepreneurs and investors in setting up small and medium enterprises (SMEs), 48 countries have implemented it and 18 more countries are waiting in the wings.    

“The programme, “Bahrain Model,” has become huge success in Bahrain as well as in a number of other countries,” revealed Head of UNIDO- Investment and Technology Promotion Office (UNIDO-ITPO), Dr. Hashim Hussein. 

According to him, the model was designed to empower entrepreneurial talent by encouraging individuals to turn their innovative ideas into reality. 

“The credit for our success here goes to His Majesty the King, HRH the Prime Minister and HRH the Crown Prince. The strategy and vision of HM the King to invest in the human resources and focus on youth empowerment has helped UNIDO with this programme,” remarked Dr. Hashim during a press conference on the UN House premises in Hoora yesterday. 

“This model has been implemented in 48 countries. We have about 18 countries in the pipeline. Now we are covering most of the countries in the southern hemisphere,” he informed. 

“Next week we are going to launch it in one more African country. A team from Bahrain will be there for 10 days for the launch. In October, we will go to Central Asia and Uzbekistan,” Dr. Hashim added. 

UN Resident Coordinator Amin El Sharkawi, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Acting Director Samir Imtair Al Darabi and Undersecretary of International Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Shaikh Abdulla Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa were also present.

UNIDO’s 50th anniversary

In view of the 50th anniversary of UNIDO, an exhibition will be organised at UNIDO headquarters in Vienna from November 21 to 25. 

The event coincides with the 20th anniversary of the UNIDO-ITPO, established in Bahrain in 1996. 

The Bahrain Model will be highlighted during the event. The “Invest in Women and Girls” report, which will be launched there, will feature sixteen female entrepreneurs from nine countries namely Bahrain, China, Egypt, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone and Sudan.