Talented Bahraini youth and young professionals are set to develop their skills internationally, with the signing of a new agreement between the Youth Affairs Ministry’s Masari Association and the US-based New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).
This was among the key highlights of the first-ever trip to the kingdom by a New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy, who visited Bahrain as part of a three-country economic mission to the region, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
“We are proud to witness the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Masari Association and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority – an important milestone in advancing our shared commitment to youth empowerment,” said Youth Affairs Minister Rawan Tawfiqi.
“This strategic partnership marks a significant step toward fostering meaningful collaboration that will open new doors for Bahraini youth to engage with and learn from a leading global economic environment.
“By gaining practical experience and developing key professional skills, our young people will be better equipped to thrive in today’s dynamic world.”
The MoU, which was signed by NJEDA chief executive Tim Sullivan and witnessed by Mr Murphy, creates internship opportunities in the US state of New Jersey for highly-skilled Bahraini youth, including information sessions, direct engagement with hiring organisations and co-ordination of intern placement and onboarding.
At the signing of the MoU are, from left, Masari chairman Bassam Abdulrahman Al Tattan, Mr Murphy, Ms Tawfiqi, Mr Sullivan and US Ambassador Steven C Bondy
The Masari Association, which operates under the Youth Affairs Ministry, offers young people local and international programmes promoting professional development and workforce preparedness.
Masari and NJEDA will connect Bahraini youth with New Jersey-based companies, enabling real-world internships that align with Bahrain’s economic vision and priorities.
Ahead of the signing of the MoU, Mr Murphy also met other key government officials including Industry and Commerce Minister Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, as well as members of the media during a Press roundtable.
He highlighted that the US state’s economic focus on pharmaceuticals, life sciences, technology, fintech, artificial intelligence and the green economy could provide opportunities for collaboration with Bahraini firms and open up new avenues of bilateral investment.
“Bahrain and New Jersey’s bilateral trade is currently valued at $82.5 million, which is a good number, but it should be bigger,” he told the GDN.
“The basic fact set about the relationship between Bahrain and the US, and New Jersey in particular, is so strong this relationship will prosper.
“Despite the volatility in the world, the Bahrain-US relationship is rock solid.”
He went on to note that when national relationships around the world can be volatile, “the sub national relationship, in other words, the state, becomes even more important,” noting that as yet another reason the 42-member New Jersey delegation was in Bahrain.
He also revealed that an invitation to visit New Jersey had been extended to selected ministers and key members of the private sector in Bahrain, as part of a delegation exploring further economic opportunities for the two parties.
Mr Murphy also noted that he had received a positive response to his visit in both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, signalling a growing partnership between the US state and the GCC region.
“The fact that the US has a free trade agreement with Bahrain is a good thing,” he added.
“The fact that Bahrain is such a strategic ally, particularly but not only with our military, and Navy in particular, is a good thing.
“President Trump wants more manufacturing in America. So do I. We want more of that in New Jersey.
“In fact, I’m working with the legislature to get a massive bill passed that would incentivise multinationals to make products in New Jersey so they wouldn’t have to worry about tariffs.
“I think New Jersey’s got a unique proposition, particularly in the parts of the economy that we’re really good.”
As a former banker, Mr Murphy highlighted fintech as a particularly lucrative sector for collaboration between Bahrain and New Jersey.
“New York City continues to be a significant home of finance internationally, but the middle and back office, including technology operations, accounting, compliance, etc, has historically been in New Jersey.
“This makes us a natural, big player in financial technology.”
According to Mr Murphy, New Jersey is emerging as the East Coast equivalent of the San Francisco Bay Area’s Silicon Valley.
He highlighted the New Jersey-based Princeton University’s establishment of an AI hub with Microsoft as a founding partner, in partnership with CoreWeave.
During the trip, Mr Murphy also met US service members from New Jersey at the Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain) – home to US Naval Forces Central Command and the US Fifth Fleet.
Mr Murphy also visited the Jewish synagogue in Manama.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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