Bahrain's labour fund Tamkeen was lauded for its key programmes that have benefited more than 15,000 women entrepreneurs to date, including a BD1 million ($2.65 million) portfolio to facilitate micro-financing solutions for women.

The company has developed nearly 180 such programme for the Kingdom's women. Nearly half of the beneficiaries from Tamkeen's human capital development and private sector support programmes are Bahraini women.

Tamkeen said it has formulated a dedicated women empowerment strategy and formed its own women empowerment committee to specifically oversee all planning and co-ordinative efforts, as well as recommending the measures and initiatives required to empower Bahraini women.

'We sincerely appreciate Tamkeen's efforts in continuously developing and supporting Bahraini women entrepreneurs and for the opportunity given to us today to become more aware of its various programmes, from which our members can benefit,' said Bahrain Businesswomen Society president Ahlam Janahi.

She was speaking on Sunday at a presentation hosted by Tamkeen about its various programmes during a ceremony to mark the 12th anniversary of the Bahrain Businesswomen Society.

More than 150 Bahrain-based businesswomen attended the programme which highlighted Tamkeen's various initiatives.

'Tamkeen's initiatives offer solutions that help ensure the growth and development of business projects to enable the sustainability and success of these ventures,' explained Janahi.

The presentation was followed by an open question-and-answer session, followed by presentations by entrepreneurs Dalal Bucheeri and Alya Murad, who shared their experiences as women entrepreneurs in Bahrain.

'Tamkeen initiatives are visible and offer vast opportunities and advantages and I urge businesswomen in Bahrain to make use of them because they allow companies to enhance productivity and profitability as well as supporting human capital development,' said Golden Trust owner Dr Lulwa Al Mutlaq.

The evening concluded with a formal awards ceremony by the Bahrain Businesswomen Society to honour the society's members, strategic partners and affiliates.-TradeArabia News Service