During the Opening at Seef Mall

Manama - 18 November, 2015:

As part of Tamkeen's Business Incubator Support Programme, Amina Gallery has opened its second new flagship store in Seef Mall. The programme aims to support start-ups and new enterprises as part of Tamkeen's continued efforts to position entrepreneurship as a driving catalyst to diversify Bahrain's economy.

After a successful reign as a vivacious art gallery in Riyadat Mall, Amina Alabbasi is taking her locally inspired gallery, Amina Gallery, to the next level. Amina Gallery, started by local entrepreneur Amina Al-Abbasi in Riyadat Mall, is supported by Tamkeen, Bahrain Development Bank and the Supreme Council for Women. The gallery has garnered interest locally and in the region by showcasing a variety of innovative pieces on canvas, portraits, phone covers, home décor and more.

Tamkeen in association with Bahrain Development Bank has launched the Tamkeen Business Incubator Support Programme in April 2011, to support start-up businesses as well as existing enterprises gain access to an appropriate environment in order to attain their stability level and targets.

Through this programme, Tamkeen provides newly formed businesses access to an adequate work environment through shops and units to operate in. It provides reasonable rent subsidies in various incubation centres or retail outlets across Bahrain to suit their business sector and activity. The rent will cover electricity & water, meeting room facilities, library, advisory unit and the cost of some entrepreneurial training courses. In addition to the support Tamkeen provides in the initial stages of starting up a business, Tamkeen also supports enterprises once their incubation period is completed and they move on to commercial malls or once all applications meet the selection criteria of the Incubator Centres Committee.

Six business incubators have already been launched under the umbrella of the Business Incubator Support programme which helped a large number of Bahrainis start their businesses in various sectors. These include Bahrain Business Incubator Centre (BBIC) in Hidd, Riyadat Incubator Centre (Riyadat Mall) in A'ali, Rukn Incubator Centre, in Central Manama, Bahrain Professional Women Club, Al Jasra Incubator Centre, in AlJasra, Retail Incubator Centre, in different Shopping Malls across Bahrain, and Tameer Incubator Centre in Hidd.

Commenting on the announcement, Shaikh Mohammed Bin Essa Al Khalifa, Tamkeen's Chairman and Acting Chief Executive said: "Business incubators are a catalyst for entrepreneurial innovation and encourage the establishment of new businesses, which is a prerequisite for developing a mature and sustainable private sector in modern economies. Tamkeen is working continuously to develop businesses throughout their development stages by providing customised programmes that match the needs of those businesses. Through the Tamkeen Incubator Support Programme, we have been able to assist passionate and talented individuals to realise their ideas and turn them into a reality and contribute to the development of Bahrain's economy."

Amina Alabbasi thanked all the parties who helped her business flourish throughout the years. "This store would not have been possible without the help and support from Tamkeen, the Bahrain Development Bank and the Supreme Council for Women," said Amina Alabbasi, the owner and artist of Amina Gallery. "Their constant encouragement and support has helped fuel my artistic passion. I feel this store is not just another milestone in my career, but it is also a sign of maturing as an artist. I would not have come this far without all of my supportive collaborations."

Tamkeen Business Incubator Support programme provides a number of customised services for up to three years to meet the needs of enterprises during their critical initial stages and helps them achieve stability and sustainability. In addition to incubation units, the programme offers strategic consultations, and conducts high-level entrepreneurship training courses. Since its launch, the programme has served over 264 Bahraini entrepreneurs.

For more information about this programme and other Tamkeen support programmes, please contact Tamkeen on telephone 17383333, email support@tamkeen.bh or visit Tamkeen's website on www.tamkeen.bh

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About Tamkeen ::
Tamkeen is a semi-government organisation in Bahrain established in 2006 under Law Number (57) as part of the country's national reform initiatives, with the task of making the private sector as the key driver of sustainable economic development.

Underpinned by its 3 strategic pillars - enhancing quality, serving customers, and achieving results - the organisation provides an integrated range of programmes to create a solid foundation for a modern economy - such as SME financing, skills training, and entrepreneurship.

At the same time, these programmes address key challenges facing Bahrainis and businesses in the private sector at various stages of their development - from start-ups to mature companies, and from students to senior executives.

To date, Tamkeen's programmes have served more than 120,000 Bahrainis and businesses.

More information available at www.tamkeen.bh

For media inquiries, please contact:
Tamkeen Marketing Communications Dept.
T:17-383333
F:17-382352
E:support@tamkeen.bh

About Amina Gallery
Amina Gallery has been created to spread art: to find the beauty of traditions and translate them into contemporary luxurious pieces and artworks. Amina's work is exhibited through galleries, home décor, fashion and paintings. Her work was auctioned off in Noor Dubai and her painting was used as a public monument in Bahrain. She was on the judging panel for NBH International Award and Baitkum Baitna. She also took part in solo exhibitions at Maison Bo M Galleries and Souq Waqif Art Centre. She won the e-Government e-Entrepreneur Award in 2014. Amina's work is now being sold at Harrods, London.

For press inquiries please contact basma@obaiandhill.com or call +973 17536092.

© Press Release 2015