Bahrain’s labour fund Tamkeen is taking part as a strategic partner in the 63rd World Congress of the World Association of Women Entrepreneurs (FCEM), which will conclude in Bahrain today (March 26).

The support for the event, which is being held under the slogan ‘Our Bridges to the World,’ comes as part of Tamkeen’s efforts to enhance the skills of Bahrainis and promote entrepreneurship to boost national economic development, said a statement.

More than 300 delegates from 40 countries are taking part in the event, which is being organised by the Bahrain Business and Professional Women International Federation (BPW) and Council of Arab Business Women (CABW).

Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, chairman and acting chief executive , underlined Tamkeen’s commitment to support initiatives which bolster sustainable development of the national economy, adding that women empowerment plays a key role in this regard.

Over the years, Tamkeen launched initiatives which cater specifically to women to complement the general support programmes it provides. These efforts were recognised with Tamkeen winning HRH Princess Sabeeka Award for Bahraini Women Empowerment three times in 2009, 2014, and 2015.

Among these programmes was Riyadat Mall, a joint initiative with the SCW and Bahrain Development Bank, which is the first business incubator in the region exclusively to businesswomen.

Other such initiatives include facilitating micro-loans for women-owned businesses and productive families, grants to set up business in a range of fields such as transportation, photography, and fashion, and training workshops designed to improve basic skills of Bahraini women to enable them to find gainful employment. - TradeArabia News Service