Latest from Bahrain This Week
Bahrain This Week
5 days ago
- Business
- Bahrain This Week
stc successfully lands the first Bahraini submarine cable system; 2Africa Pearls in Bahrain
Marking a significant milestone in global connectivity, stc has announced that the 2Africa cable system – Pearls, the world's longest submarine cable, has successfully landed in Bahrain. With a US$ 205 million investments in 2Africa Pearls submarine cable system, this massive lift up in international connectivity toward Bahrain will reinforce the Kingdom as a powerful ICT hub, speeding up digital transformation across connected countries, attracting significant international investment opportunities, creating jobs and boosting innovation across sectors. The live landing of 2Africa Pearls submarine cable system next to Seef District on 4th of June was witnessed by H.E. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Telecommunications and Eng. Khalid Al Osaimi, Chief Executive Officer, stc Bahrain. The landing operation, which involved connecting the on-board cable to the ground infrastructure, was completed in record time. On this occasion, H.E. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, expressed pride in Bahrain's advanced telecommunications infrastructure, noting that this achievement reflects the Kingdom's commitment to strengthening its position as a regional and global digital hub, in line with the goals of Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030. He emphasized the Ministry's dedication to fostering fruitful partnerships with the private sector, especially the strategic collaboration with stc Bahrain, which stands as a successful model of public-private synergy in advancing digital transformation. H.E. added that the landing of the 2Africa Pearls submarine cable in Bahrain represents a qualitative leap that will enhance the Kingdom's global connectivity, support its digital economy, and open new horizons for innovation and investment. Eng. Khalid Al Osaimi, Chief Executive Officer of stc Bahrain said, 'We are thrilled to land the 2Africa Pearls submarine cable to Bahrain, this will increase Bahrain's current connectivity capacity by 10x, further scalable to accommodate future growth. This is in line with our commitment to advancing Bahrain's position as a leading communications and digital hub for the region, directly aligning with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, and its goals for the ICT sector to create a diversified, knowledge-based economy.' Spanning 45,000 km with a massive 180 terabits per second design capacity, the 2Africa submarine cable will enable faster adoption of new technologies and digital solutions. 2Africa Pearls is the only cable in GCC capable of meeting the growing demands of data-heavy applications, including content streaming, cloud computing, and gaming. With the landing of 2Africa Pearls submarine cable system, the cable's massive capacity and low latency will serve as a catalyst for innovation and growth in emerging technologies like 5G, AI, and IoT, providing the essential infrastructure needed to support data-intensive applications and services. The increased connectivity will empower businesses with improved communication, access to global markets, and enhanced operational efficiency. Moreover, for consumers, this transformative project will provide reliable internet services and richer digital experience.
Bahrain This Week
5 days ago
- Business
- Bahrain This Week
ILA's "Beat the Heat" Campaign: Bringing Relief to Bahrain's Workers
In a heartwarming demonstration of community spirit, the Indian Ladies Association (ILA) continued its impactful 'Beat the Heat' campaign, providing much-needed refreshment and relief to construction workers enduring Bahrain's summer temperatures. The weekly initiative saw ILA Executive Committee members and volunteers distribute fresh fruits and juices to 150 workers at a bustling construction site in Manama. This compassionate outreach underscores the ILA's unwavering dedication to worker welfare. Beyond simply offering hydration, the campaign serves as a powerful gesture of solidarity, acknowledging the vital contributions of the workforce that drives Bahrain's continuous development. A significant enabler of this week's drive was Ford Motors Bahrain, whose instrumental support ensured seamless logistics. Ford generously provided one of its iconic F-150 4×4 vehicles, which proved invaluable in efficiently transporting the supplies to the distribution site, making the operation remarkably smooth and hassle-free. 'We believe that small acts of kindness can make a big impact,' stated an ILA spokesperson. ''Beat the Heat' is a recurring effort that allows us to connect directly with the hardworking individuals who often go unnoticed in the daily grind.' The ILA is committed to expanding these efforts, with plans to continue bringing comfort and care to more workers across various sites in Bahrain on a weekly basis. Further activities and collaborations are already in the pipeline as part of this ongoing seasonal campaign.
Bahrain This Week
7 days ago
- Business
- Bahrain This Week
Enhanced interface redesign, AI-powered search, and statistical calendar launched
The Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) announced the launch of new features on the Bahrain Open Data Portal ( The new features come in line with the directives of His Excellency General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information Technology and Communication (MCICT), to streamline access to reliable data and enriching the user journey. iGA Deputy Chief Executive of Operations & Governance Dr. Khalid Ahmed Al-Mutawa stated that these enhancements support the national efforts to boost government performance and align with the Government Plan's goals, particularly in improving data systems and accessibility. The enhancements empower decision-makers in facilitating policy and strategy development while enabling researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, and institutions to access accurate and trusted data efficiently. Key enhancements include the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve data search functionality through AI-driven search, enabling users to find relevant data faster and with greater accuracy. The portal's interface has been redesigned to improve navigation and user experience. Moreover, the new 'Statistical Reports' page allows users to view and download previous statistics in their original formats (PDF, Excel), providing more accessibility for research and analysis while supporting transparency. iGA highlighted the new 'Statistical Calendar,' which provides a schedule of upcoming data releases to help users plan their research and analysis. A 'Keyboard Navigation' feature has also been introduced, allowing users, including those with special needs, to access all portal functions using keyboard controls. The homepage now includes a responsive top banner compatible with all smart devices, displaying dynamic data visuals and links to detailed content in both languages (Arabic and English). Reflecting the iGA's commitment to public engagement, a 'User Ratings and Feedback' feature allows users to rate datasets by usefulness, accuracy, and relevance, and submit general feedback to help continuously improve data quality. The Bahrain Open Data Portal, launched by the iGA, provides unrestricted, free access to a wide range of datasets, covering topics like population, consumer prices, and more, without the need for registration. According to the latest statistics, the open data portal hosts approximately 454 datasets. Among the most accessed are population data with over 36,000 downloads, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stock data with more than 9,000, Consumer Price Index (CPI) data with over 9,000, and both the quarterly Business Confidence Index and import data with over 8,000 downloads each.
Bahrain This Week
7 days ago
- Business
- Bahrain This Week
Alba Appoints Sohaila Rahman as Chief Legal and Governance Officer
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world's largest smelter on one site, announced the appointment of Sohaila Rahman as its new Chief Legal and Governance Officer effective 20 July 2025. Sohaila Rahman is a UK-qualified lawyer with over twenty years of experience. Her professional background includes significant roles in private practice and in-house legal departments across the UK, UAE, and Bahrain. She has advised financial institutions, real estate developers, and multinational companies on a wide range of legal matters, including M&A transactions, corporate governance, and real estate development. Sohaila has held senior positions at Al Tamimi & Company, The Bahrain Petroleum Company, Eagle Hills Diyar Company, KBH Kaanuun, Baker & McKenzie, Clifford Chance LLP, and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. 'We are delighted to welcome Sohaila to the Alba family,' said Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chairman of Alba's Board of Directors. 'Her deep understanding of the legal frameworks and strong advisory capabilities in diverse sectors will strengthen Alba's legal and governance functions, ensuring Alba's continued commitment to best practices.' Ali Al Baqali, Alba's Chief Executive Officer, added, 'Sohaila's appointment is a testament to Alba's commitment to attracting top-tier talent to our C-suite. Her leadership will bring invaluable perspectives, strengthening our collective ability to achieve our strategic objectives and drive Alba forward.' Expressing her enthusiasm for the new role, Sohaila Rahman stated: 'I am honoured to join the Alba Executive team and contribute to the Company's ongoing success. I look forward to leveraging my legal and governance expertise to support Alba's ambitious vision and further strengthen its position as a global industry leader.' Sohaila Rahman holds a 2:1 LLB Law degree from the University of Reading, UK, and completed her Legal Practice Course at the Oxford Institute of Legal Practice. She is an exclusive contributor to LexisNexis Middle East on Employment Law in Bahrain and was a winner of the Author Award in 2019
Bahrain This Week
7 days ago
- Business
- Bahrain This Week
Lumofy Wins Bahrain Digital Content Award
'Lumofy,' a leading provider of AI-driven talent management platform, was awarded the Bahrain Digital Content Award (BDCA) 2025 in the Learning and Education category. The recognition was announced during an official ceremony held under the patronage of H.E. Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, Chairman of the Shura Council, at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain. The award celebrates exceptional contributions to digital innovation and excellence within the Kingdom's digital content landscape. Lumofy's AI-powered Talent Management Platform was recognized for its role in driving digital transformation and workforce development in Bahrain. The award highlights the platform's innovative use of AI to enhance talent management by helping organizations identify, develop, and activate employee skills in line with evolving labour market needs. This recognition affirms Lumofy's contribution to digital innovation and its impact on advancing the Learning and Education sector in the Kingdom. Mr. Ahmed Faraj, Founder & CEO of Lumofy, said, 'Winning the Bahrain Digital Content Award (BDCA) 2025 in the Learning & Education category is a testament to the impact we are creating in the talent space. Through our AI-powered platform, we are reshaping how organizations identify, develop, and activate their employees' skills, while continuously enhancing the talent development experience to meet workforce expectations and drive meaningful change in the future of work.' Mr. Mahmood Malik, Co-founder & COO at Lumofy, commented, 'We are honored to receive the Bahrain Digital Content Award (BDCA) 2025. This recognition reflects the vision and dedication of the entire Lumofy team. It also reinforces the impact of our AI-powered talent management platform, which is built to unlock organizations' full potential. As we continue to evolve, we remain committed to pushing boundaries.'
