Tamkeen, EDB launch Skills and Gender Parity Accelerator
The Bahrain Skills and Gender Parity Accelerator initiative – signed earlier this year at the World Economic Forum at Davos – held its kick-off meeting today with the World Economic Forum, public sector Co-chairs, and the appointed private sectors Co-Chairs. The Accelerator, coordinated by Skills Bahrain and led jointly by the Bahrain Economic Development Board, and the Labor Fund (Tamkeen) through its initiative Skills Bahrain which aims to equip Bahrainis with future-ready skills while advancing gender parity in economic participation.
The meeting was attended by the public sector co-chairs - Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development, Chief Executive of Bahrain Economic Development Board and Her Excellency Maha Mofeez, Chief Executive of the Labour Fund, Tamkeen - along with the recently appointed private sector Co-Chairs:
• Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of Mumtalakat
• Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chairman of Alba
• Yaser Al Sharifi, Chairman of the Bahrain Association of Banks The meeting reviewed the Accelerator's strategic priorities and outlined key milestones.
These include addressing critical skills gaps, enhancing gender parity, and strengthening Bahrain's competitiveness in high-growth sectors. The appointed private sector co-chairs will work closely alongside Tamkeen, Skills Bahrain and the Bahrain Economic Development Board to develop a national action plan that strengthens public-private collaboration at the heart of the Accelerator's mission.
These industry leaders will help shape responsive future-oriented programs, including initiatives that expand opportunities for women across high-growth industries. 'As Bahrain remains committed to diversifying its economy and enhancing its global competitiveness, we take pride in our human capital, which remains one of our greatest strengths.
While the Kingdom has made significant progress in STEM training and female empowerment, achieving gender parity remains a priority,' said Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development, Chief Executive of Bahrain Economic Development Board, adding, 'The Bahrain Skills & Gender Parity Accelerator will enable us to drive further progress by increasing female participation and future-proofing our workforce.
Through a data-driven approach and strong public-private partnerships, we aim to build a more resilient economic future.' Maha Mofeez, Chief Executive of Labour Fund (Tamkeen) said: 'Bahrain remains steadfast in its investment in its human capital. Our focus is on creating tangible impact—empowering local talent, increasing opportunities for women, and ensuring our workforce is equipped for the demands of a dynamic global economy.'
Skills Bahrain is an initiative by Tamkeen and works in alignment with Tamkeen's strategic priorities, which focuses on enhancing the competitiveness of Bahrainis in the private sector, fostering enterprise growth, promoting digitization and sustainability, and advancing labor market and private sector development.
Saadia Zahidi, World Economic Forum Managing Director commented: 'Amid major technological and economic changes, Bahrain's Skills and Gender Parity Accelerator reflects the country's forward-looking vision and commitment to inclusive economic growth. This initiative builds on solid foundations to accelerate investment in human capital and expand opportunities for women to thrive across high-growth sectors.
By equipping its population with the skills needed for the future of work, Bahrain is preparing for a rapidly evolving global economy. We are pleased to support this important step and look forward to enabling this initiative to serve as a powerful example in the region and beyond.' With the Accelerator now moving into its implementation phase, Bahrain is taking concrete steps to bridge skill gaps and promote gender parity across the workforce.
This collaboration between government entities, private sector leaders, and international partners ensures a comprehensive approach that aligns with evolving market needs and future economic trends. The execution phase of the accelerator is expected to be completed by 2026.
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