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Taking forward its promise to rejuvenate and support Bahrain's SMEs and entrepreneurs, the Labour Fund (LF)_held talks with Bahrain Young Entrepreneurs Association (BYEA) members on the prospect of hosting a roadshow for this segment of the business scene in Bahrain.
The talks were held during a visit of a BYEA delegation led by president Tarek Khalaf to the LF.
According to the fund's acting chief executive Abdulellah Al Qassimi, the roadshow would address SMEs and entrepreneurs in the kingdom and offer insights into free business practices and programmes provided by parties working closely with entrepreneurs and financing institutions.
It would highlight the attractive support, training and funding options offered by the Labour Fund and the support offered by the BYEA.
"With the business climate in Bahrain on the upswing and a strong infrastructure of support for SMEs and entrepreneurial efforts, we feel the time is right to highlight these advantages," Mr Al Qassimi said. "The BYEA is an apt platform for this since we can reach out to people who are already in entrepreneurial mode."
Mr Al Qassimi also suggested that the BYEA should facilitate the bringing together of SMEs with similar business activities so that they can together benefit from the various programmes offered by the government's private sector support initiatives and the LF.
LF acting vice-president for private sector support, Mohammed Bucheery said: "The roadshow will involve coordinating with the governorates and other institutions concerned to introduce and educate them about the LF's objectives and programmes in the field of training, development and private sector support."
Also on the calendar are LF and BYEA-backed training programmes, to train and develop current entrepreneurs wishing to practice free business.
These will be internationally accredited.
Mr Khalaf also suggested that the LF should support the association's initiative to establish a company where a number of the association members can participate in building businesses.
The Labour Fund will also look into new initiatives in the future to support start-up businesses and entrepreneurs as opposed to established companies
The BYEA delegation also comprised association members Ibtisam Abdul Rahman Hijris and Abdul Khaliq Milad.
Bahrain has taken vital steps towards a labour market reform which is an essential stride to ensure that the human capital of the country is developed and that employment is made more attractive for localisation as well as to improve performances of businesses.
