A proposal to set up kiosks and shacks in public places for Bahrain’s productive families has been presented.
The initiative is aimed at providing permanent venues for the families to sell homemade good, such as food, handicraft and artwork.
Spearheaded by the Strategic Thinking Bloc in Parliament, the proposal seeks to integrate the sales presence in parks, walkways, gardens and coastal areas.
Bloc chairman Ahmed Al Salloom, who also chairs Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee, said the endeavour will not only provide productive families with permanent selling points but it will also reduce their reliance on temporary markets and seasonal events.
“This stability can lead to consistent income streams, allowing families to plan and invest in their futures.
“Encouraging the sale of traditional handicraft and artwork ensures that Bahrain’s cultural practices are preserved and passed down through generations.”
A pilot phase has been proposed in Umm Al Shaoum Park in Mahooz to assess the operational logistics, public reception and overall impact on the community.
Mr Al Salloom, who is also Small and Medium Enterprises Development Society chairman and Better Life Society president, has offered to shoulder the initial costs in selected facilities.
The idea has garnered support from various quarters, notably the Capital Trustees Board whose vice-chairwoman Khulood Al Qattan is collaborating with the Social Development Ministry to compile a list of productive families who could benefit from this project.
Ms Al Qattan, who is also Small and Medium Enterprises Development Society vice-chairwoman for financial and administrative affairs and Better Life Society vice-chairwoman, stressed the importance of the initiative.
“By providing permanent venues for sales, the kiosks can alleviate some of the financial pressures faced by these families, offering them a stable platform to reach customers and sustain their businesses.
“The proposed kiosks can serve as physical extensions of state-run productive families’ programmes, offering participants tangible platforms to market their products.”
She added that if the pilot phase proved successful, there was potential for a nationwide roll-out, transforming Bahrain’s public spaces into vibrant marketplaces that celebrate local talent and heritage.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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