Manama, Bahrain - Thursday 21 November 2013:

Tamkeen today (Thursday Nov 21) presented its 2014 Operational Plan, which details Tamkeen's existing projects and future plans, to stakeholders, which included partners, government representatives, business owners, entrepreneurs, legislators and the media.

Tamkeen Chairman and Acting Chief Executive H.E Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa delivered a keynote speech at the event in which he discussed Tamkeen's vision in the next stage and the aspects on which Tamkeen will focus on to realise its objectives and play a more effective role in the country's reform efforts. He also discussed Tamkeen's achievements so far and the general budget for Tamkeen projects in 2014.

In a press conference following the conclusion of the presentation, H.E Tamkeen Chairman and Acting Chief Executive Shaikh Mohammed said :" Tamkeen will continue to enhance its role and contributions towards the private sector and providing it with the services that it needs, and we will continue to focus on pooling our efforts to supervise applications and limit exploitation, which will be implemented through our operational plan, which is a dynamic document that can be adjusted to match the constantly changing needs of the market"

Tamkeen projects and programmes for 2014 focus on three main aspects.

Firstly, quality enhancement through improved products, services, processes, and programme regulations, and secondly, customer focus through consultations, surveys, and customer satisfaction standards. And thirdly, a results oriented approach through improved performance follow-up and impact assessments.

Budgets of Tamkeen projects for 2014 were also detailed at the event. Expenses are expected to reach BD 98.3 million, 62% of which is allocated to projects in 2014, divided relatively equally between Human Capital Development and Private Sector Support.  20% of the budget will cover operational expenses while the remaining 18% will go toward unemployment insurance which Tamkeen pays on behalf of companies.

Total income is estimated to be BD 39.6 million, 55% of which are from work permit issue and renewal fees, and the remaining 45% from the monthly LMRA fees, which were changed this year to BD5 for the first 5 non-Bahraini employees.

Yousif Ali, Senior Manager - Customer Engagement Support Senior Manager, detailed the various programmes included in the operational plan and the steps that will be taken to provide better services to customers.

Mr. Ali discussed two types of support programmes: Human Capital Development programmes, which includes work ethics and corporate culture, employability and short-term internships, career guidance, youth capacity building, support for existing workforce, support for market entrants, customized employment, and apprenticeship programmes; and Private Sector Support programmes, which include business financing, support for startups, support for investments, and promotion of businesses in Bahrain.

At the end of the presentation, which was attended by around 420 people, Tamkeen management answered audience questions and collected their feedback on its programmes and the 2014 Operational Plan.

Prior to the event, Tamkeen held several consultation workshops with the public at the beginning of October. The results of those consultations were incorporated into the operational plan that was presented. The workshops were attended by business owners, experts, and representative of the private sector.

The Operational Plan for 2014 is available to the public on Tamkeen's website (www.tamkeen.bh).

-Ends-

About Tamkeen
Tamkeen is an initiative funded by the private sector for the private sector, tasked with developing Bahrain's private sector and positioning it as the key driver of economic development. Established in August 2006, Tamkeen is one of the cornerstones of Bahrain's national reform initiatives and Bahrain Economic Vision.

Tamkeen has two primary objectives: Firstly, fostering the creation and development of enterprises, and secondly, providing support to enhance the productivity and growth of enterprises and individuals.

Under each of those objectives, certain mechanisms and innovative support initiatives have been put in place by Tamkeen to address current and future gaps for individuals and enterprises in the private sector that have been identified by thorough studies of the labour market landscape.

For Bahrainis, Tamkeen's programmes range from developing the skills and capabilities of Bahrain's human capital, to promoting sound workplace ethics and training on leadership and management best practices, among others. For enterprises, Tamkeen provides programmes which offer enterprises with subsidised business support services, facilitate access to financing to bridge the enterprise financing gap, and enable entrepreneurship, to name a few.

Tamkeen's programmes have benefited 98,000 Bahrainis and enterprises in the private sector as of end of August, and more than 150,000 beneficiaries are expected to benefit from these support programmes.

In parallel, Tamkeen's programmes have played a key role in institutionalising new concepts within Bahrain's private sector, including SME and micro-financing, entrepreneurship as a viable career path, women empowerment, modern accounting and auditing systems within SMEs, and many other paradigms needed for a vibrant sustainable private sector.

Tamkeen's funds come from fees collected from the Labour Market Regulatory Authority.

For more information about our programmes, please call:
Tamkeen
Telephone 17 383333
Fax 17 382352
Email support@tamkeen.bh
Website www.tamkeen.bh
www.facebook.com/TamkeenBahrain
http://twitter.com/TamkeenBahrain
http://www.youtube.com/TamkeenBahrain
http://www.linkedin.com/company/tamkeen
http://instagram.com/TamkeenBahrain

© Press Release 2013