MANAMA: Women’s Crisis Care International (WCCI), a Bahrain-based non-governmental organisation, has won the most innovative application contest at the fifth Manama Entrepreneurship Week (MEW).
This was announced during the launch of the fifth consecutive edition of the entrepreneurship development platform held under the patronage of Capital Governor Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa at The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain yesterday.
WCCI was founded in Bahrain in 2015 and began full-scale operations in January 2016.
The organisation operates the first and only victims’ crisis advocacy programme in the Arabian Gulf, providing emotional and informational support for women who have experienced domestic and sexual violence.
The award programme was held in partnership with EBW2020 (Empowering a Billion Women by 2020) and Batelco.
MEW was launched in 2015 by the Capital Governorate in partnership with Tamkeen with support from the United Nations office in Bahrain, as a platform that connects and enables entrepreneurs and start-ups through showcasing leading regional and international success stories and highlighting the various support and business acceleration mediums available in Bahrain.
This year, the week-long event will comprise 15 workshops featuring 30 local and international speakers, aimed at further promoting and optimising the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Shaikh Hisham had deputised Hassan Al Madani, deputy governor, to preside over the opening of the forum as he was away on an official visit abroad.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, Mr Al Madani said, “Year after year, ambitious young individuals use this platform to meet a selection of experts, specialists and entrepreneurs that share their expertise to enhance the participants’ abilities and to help them realise their dreams and translate their ideas into reality.”
The support of the government for entrepreneurship comes from its aspiration to develop this sector, which is a key driver of the national economy and plays an essential role in driving development, he added.
“The government has adopted several initiatives to improve this vital and growing sector. The most prominent of these initiatives is His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister’s development of the small- and medium-sized enterprises development council.
This council aims to enhance the competitiveness of emerging small and medium-sized enterprises in local, regional and global markets, as well as increase their contribution to the gross domestic product.
“The past editions have received a high turnout from youth and keen entrepreneurs. Today, we can proudly say that this event has become an important forum for young entrepreneurs, both existing ones who desire to raise their projects to wider horizons, as well as ambitious young people seeking to enter the entrepreneurship field,” he said.
Seminars, workshops and panel discussions will highlight many different aspects related to entrepreneurship, such as the future of sustainability in Bahrain and the innovation in modern technology.
They also aim to assist entrepreneurs on how to enter the global market.
“We strive in every edition to keep pace with latest advancements in the entrepreneurship sector in order to enable participants to benefit from modern experiences, and for them themselves to strive for innovation and excellence in their own practices,” added Mr Al Madani.
The 4th ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum will be held at the University of Bahrain’s Sakhir Campus today from 9am to 1pm and a seminar on Women as Leaders and Entrepreneurs: The Secret Sauce to Global Business Success will take place from 5pm to 8.30pm at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, in partnership with Bahrain Entrepreneurship Organisation.
avinash@gdn.com.bh
&uuid=(email))