Programmes are being continuously launched to ensure that Bahrainis are the first choice in the labour market, it has been declared.
Deputy King His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa said the programmes aim to enable Bahrainis to improve their competitiveness by bolstering their skills and professionalism as he chaired a meeting of the board of directors of the Economic Development Board (EDB) at its headquarters in Bahrain Bay.
He commended the efforts of the EDB and the remarkable growth achieved in establishing investment projects in Bahrain, highlighting the importance of accelerating the pace of turning those projects into quality opportunities for citizens.
The meeting was briefed on the EDB’s key achievements by Chief Executive Khalid Humaidan, who noted that the EDB attracted $1.4 billion in direct local and international investment.
This came through investments in 64 projects, which will help in providing more than 4,500 employment opportunities over a three-year period.
The latest developments in the global economy were also discussed, including the expectations of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which indicated a decline in growth in the global economy in 2023-2024.
HRH Prince Salman highlighted the importance of His Majesty King Hamad’s address during the opening ceremony of the second session of the sixth legislative term of the Shura Council and Parliament, which set forth his far-reaching visions for the next phase of development and serves as a source of inspiration to enhance government workstreams in partnership with the private sector to achieve the kingdom’s aspirations.
He expressed eagerness to sustainably grow and diversify Bahrain’s economy in co-operation with the legislative authority by continuing to adopt and develop legislation and laws that benefit all.
The board reviewed the EDB’s efforts to attract direct investments in vital priority sectors, its contributions to strengthening Bahrain’s position as an attractive global destination for investment and discussed the most prominent regional and global economic developments.
Additionally, the board reviewed the kingdom’s economic indicators for the first half of 2023 which recorded an average GDP growth of two per cent, while the growth of the non-oil GDP reached 2.8pc which affirms the non-oil sector’s leading role in Bahrain’s economic growth.
His Majesty’s Personal Representative Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, several senior officials and board members attended the meeting.
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