BSS to hold a forum to empower small and medium business

Article by- Suad Hamada

Five per cent of government annual purchases would be allocated to buy products from small and medium organisations in Bahrain, according to a proposal to be deliberated during a forum to be held next week.

Organised by the Bahrain Businesswomen Society (BBS), the forum will be held from November 2 to 3 at Movenpick Hotel, with the participation of H.H. Dr. Sh. Hussa  Saad Al Abdulla Al -Salem Al- Sabah, The President of the Council of Arab Business Women.

Business Exchange For um: Bahraini and American Experiences” will discuss the proposal in the point views of experts such as economists, businessmen and businesswomen and lawmakers.

The proposal is an effort to enhance the profitability of those organisations and their contributions to the economy,”

“Similar system is being implemented in the United States of America and Dubai and it proved its success in both countries,” Afnan R Al Zayani  Board Member &  Head of Coordination & Follow up committee of BBS told a press conference on Sunday.

She explained that according to Bahrain, organisations with less than 10 employees are considered as small businesses and those with less than 50 workers are medium businesses. She said that the proposal would ensure the continuity of their operations.

The event is “A Corporate Ambassadors Programme” and brings a delegation of the US, CEOs and Senior Executives to share their experience in relation to critical business topics of interest in the region.

Al Zayani said that the forum’s dimensions were selected to meet the development needs of the commercial sector in Bahrain and it was part of Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).

Three American women, including Julie Kirk who are famous for promoting small and medium businesses and economic empowerment of females will share their views in the conference. Women leadership and the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US and their influences on small and medium business are part of the forum’s dimensions.

“Through the forum, we want to explore opportunities of small and medium business during the full implementation of the FTA with the US, as most of them think that only large companies could benefit,” Al Zayani explained. “Only 100 to 150 participants will take part in ensure better interactions between them and leading speakers.”

Khariya Abdulla Al Dashti General Secretary of the Council of Arab Business Women said that leading businesswomen from all member states in the council would participate to exchange experience and improve their position in the regional business operations.

She said that the participation of Shaikha Hessa was a great indication of the importance of the event and her support to the empowerment of small and medium businesses run by women.

Ahlam Yousif  Janahi   Head of Information & Public Relation Committee of BBS said that the society had been organising for the event for the last nine months. She said that the forum was turned to a reality through the support of the council and leading local companies.

The sponsors are MEPI, Bahrain Economic Development Board, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bahrain Holding Company (Mumtalakat), Ethmar Bank, Venture Capital Bank, Al Ayam Newspaper, Bahrain Tribune Newspaper, Infinity Cars, Nissan Construction and Investment, Women Gateway and Vital Voice.   
 
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