His Excellency Capital Governor Shaikh Khalid bin Humood bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, attended the ceremony organised by the Capital Governorate on the occasion of announcing of Manama as the Capital of Young Arab Entrepreneurs for 2026. The ceremony, featured dialogue sessions on innovation and entrepreneurship, convened with various officials, institutional representatives, and a group of entrepreneurs and other interested parties.
HE the Capital Governor extended his gratitude to His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, for inaugurating the ceremony, underscoring that HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad's steadfast support for Bahraini and Arab youth is pivotal in fostering an entrepreneurial culture. This encouragement, he noted, is essential for transforming innovation and creative concepts into impactful projects supporting sustainable development.
HE the Capital Governor affirmed the Capital Governorate's commitment to implementing high-quality initiatives that foster entrepreneurship, empower youth, and bolster the innovation ecosystem. He noted that Manama has evolved into a nexus for creative ideas and promising projects, attributable to its supportive regulatory environment and effective partnerships with various sectors.
He added that the ceremony embodies the practical realisation of the leadership's vision to invest in youth potential for a knowledge-based economy. He emphasised the governorate's commitment to expanding initiatives that enhance young entrepreneurs' capabilities, connect them with global expertise, and utilise the necessary tools to transform ideas into projects with sustainable impact.
The first day comprised two dialogue sessions. The initial session featured a keynote address by Dr. Thabet Al-Nabulsi, followed by a panel discussion with several distinguished entrepreneurs.
The second session, titled "Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurship," featured discussions with the CEOs of ila Bank, Waves, and Unipal, alongside other entrepreneurs, moderated by the Secretary General of the Union of Arab Chambers.
At the conclusion of the first day, HE the Capital Governor honoured the event's principal sponsors, Kuwait Finance House and GFH Financial Group, alongside the panelists and supporting entities, in recognition of their invaluable contributions to this pioneering initiative
The ceremony continues for a full week through a series of seminars and workshops held in collaboration with academic institutions, incubators, and professional associations. This programme is designed to cultivate the skills of young entrepreneurs, enhance their innovative capacity, and connect them with practical expertise within a supportive environment.
Manama as the Capital of Young Arab Entrepreneurs 2026 was approved by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) represents an important milestone in Bahrain’s path towards consolidating its leading position in supporting innovation and empowering youth.
