A proposal to set up traditional markets in the Northern Governorate to showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage and create employment opportunities for locals is set for debate in Parliament on Tuesday.
It aims to promote traditional crafts and trades while boosting Bahrain’s tourism appeal.
The proposal highlights several key benefits:
- Job creation: Encouraging Bahrainis to engage in traditional crafts and professions, thereby fostering economic sustainability.
- Boosting local production: Supporting local industries such as pottery and textiles to reduce dependence on imported goods.
- Strengthening social and cultural stability: Providing artisans and their families with stable income sources while preserving Bahrain’s cultural legacy.
Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak noted that similar initiatives already exist, citing the pottery factory in A’ali, the Pottery Products Market in Hamad Town, the weaving workshop in Bani Jamra and the Farmers’ Market.
Additionally, he said, traditional crafts like shipbuilding, salt extraction and metalwork are still practised in specific areas across the country.
Tourism Minister Fatima Al Sairafi highlighted Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority’s (BTEA) efforts to support artisans through Bahrain’s National Tourism Strategy.
She added that BTEA has played a key role in revitalising the Manama Suq and has supported the Farmers’ Market through digital marketing campaigns.
Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities president Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa affirmed that Bahrain’s existing traditional markets, such as the old Manama Suq and old Muharraq Suq, already serve as cultural and historical landmarks.
However, he expressed willingness to establish new traditional markets in the Northern Governorate, depending on the funding.
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