ICT sector in focus at BIM

Manama : The ICT sector is of strategic importance to Bahrain’s vision to make the private sector the primary driver of economic growth and build a robust knowledge-based economy, said a top Bahrain Bourse official, yesterday.  

Speaking during an orientation session, CEO of the Bahrain Bourse Shaikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said that this sectory not only is a key facilitator for business, but it is also as “a major area of economic potential in terms of innovation and job creation”.

The session, held for members of the Bahrain Technology Companies Society (BTECH), highlighted ICT as an emerging player to Bahrain’s economy, with transport and communications sector - which includes ICT - contributing more than 7 per cent to the country’s GDP, a number that is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade.

The sector is a key target for the recently-launched Bahrain Investment Market (BIM), an equity market for growing business ventures in Bahrain and the wider MENA region. 

In this regard, Shaikh Ebrahim bin Khalifa added that the Bahrain Investment Market is an ideal platform, which connects business owners looking to raise capital with serious investors looking to be part of those companies’ long-term future.

Chairman of BTECH Ubaidly Al-Ubaidly said it was both interesting and encouraging to see how the Bahrain Investment Market will enable more investment in this critical sector and increase its contribution to the national economy.