A NEW initiative by the UAE to implement year-long paid leave for government employees looking to start their own businesses is the first of its kind in the world and is truly path-breaking since it aims to empower national talents and motivate them to enter the world of entrepreneurship.
This bold move will not only encourage the people but also have a positive impact on the national economy since it will build citizens’ competencies and enhance their capabilities and skills in entrepreneurship.
We, in Bahrain, also need such decisions, especially for middle-income and low-income citizens who are desperate to improve their standard of living and since the average salary in the government sector is modest compared to the private sector.
There is no harm if the government employee combines his job with his self-employment, provided there is no conflict of interest.
Our purchasing power is very weak due to limited financial resources and population, and in spite of the presence of foreigners in large numbers, most incomes are weak and low. And, of course, these people spend very less in Bahrain choosing to remit home a bulk of what they earn.
These people also have rights and duties that must be respected since they stay away from their countries and families to achieve a decent life and improve their living conditions. It is we who have brought them here to help run our various businesses so we should be fair with them. To be honest, if it were not for visitors from Saudi Arabia, the situation in Bahrain would have been difficult.
We should, therefore, provide various types of benefits, financial and logistical facilities, as well as management consulting, to Bahraini entrepreneurs who deserve all the support and assistance, as they spend their money in the country and keep the market moving.
Bahrain’s leadership should help small and medium entrepreneurs with financial grants, including interest-free loans, and assist them with commercial registration fees, municipality fees, electricity, water bills and other services.
Some may say that my proposal is difficult to achieve but it is not impossible. I am confident the issue will be studied by the concerned authorities and we all hope that an appropriate mechanism will be found to support these people.
One just has to be optimistic and this can be achieved.
Zuhair A Tawfiqi
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