The Labour Fund (Tamkeen) has launched its 2026 Annual Plan, marking the beginning of a five-year strategic cycle (2026–2030) focused on data-driven support and high-value economic growth.
The new roadmap, approved by the Tamkeen board chaired by Minister of the Prime Minister's Court Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, signals a pivot from broad assistance to a 'surgical' investment model aimed at strengthening the private sector's role as the kingdom's primary economic engine.
The strategy follows a record 2025, in which Tamkeen facilitated more than 52,900 economic opportunities, including the placement of 20,800 Bahrainis into the labour market and 23,500 specialised training placements. The fund also processed 8,600 enterprise applications aimed at scaling private sector productivity.
"Our focus is squarely on directing resources towards sectors that generate the highest economic value," Tamkeen chief executive Maha Mofeez told a Press conference at the Isa Cultural Centre today.
The plan is supported by a resilient national economy, with Bahrain's real GDP growing four per cent year-on-year as of Q3 2025. The non-oil sector now represents 85pc of total GDP, led by financial services (17.8pc) and manufacturing (16.1pc). Notably, inward foreign direct investment (FDI) in manufacturing surged 82pc over the past year.
More details in tomorrow's GDN.
&uuid=(email))