A call has gone out to set up a specialised centre for inventors to support innovation and technological advancement in the kingdom.
The proposal by a group of MPs, led by Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee chairman Ahmed Al Salloom, will be debated and voted on during the Parliament session on Tuesday.
The initiative aims to foster an environment that nurtures inventors and helps bring their ideas to fruition, ultimately contributing to Bahrain’s economic growth and global competitiveness.
The proposed centre would provide inventors with financial, administrative and legal support, transforming creative ideas into viable projects that benefit the economy.
“The world is moving rapidly towards knowledge-based economies, and Bahrain must keep pace,” said Mr Al Salloom.
“Our country has talented inventors, but without proper support, their ideas often go unrealised. This centre will provide the infrastructure to turn inventions into successful enterprises.”
The proposal outlines seven objectives for establishing the centre:
- Providing a structured process to help inventors develop their concepts into commercially viable projects.
- Creating a fund backed by companies and institutions in Bahrain to provide funding for promising inventions.
- Connecting inventors with potential investors and supporting them in marketing and promoting their products locally and internationally.
- Offering guidance on patents, intellectual property rights, and legal safeguards to protect inventors’ work.
- Conducting economic assessments to determine the commercial viability and potential impact of inventions.
- Organising workshops and courses to help inventors refine their skills and improve their entrepreneurial capabilities.
- Investing in projects emerging from universities and technical institutes to encourage research-driven innovation.
Mr Al Salloom claimed that many young Bahraini inventors struggle to find the resources or guidance needed to develop their ideas and end up abandoning their projects.
“This centre will act as an incubator, ensuring that no great idea goes to waste,” he said.
“If implemented, the centre will contribute to job creation and economic diversification,” he added.
“Providing young inventors with the tools they need will inspire future generations to pursue careers in science, technology, and engineering.
“A structured innovation hub could draw interest from regional and international investors looking for cutting-edge technologies,” he said.
“This is not just about supporting individual inventors; it is about investing in the future of Bahrain,” said Mr Al Salloom.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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