Projects & Initiatives

In 2022, the Chamber launched the "Try to Work" program. The idea of this program revolves around targeting 12 students of the age group between 14 and 18 years from the various regions of Bahrain to train them and develop their professional skills by providing them with a training opportunity in a private company for two weeks. During this period, students experience a professional job they look forward to do in the future. The program aims to train young people and teach them technical skills. The Chamber will provide vocational guidance to the participants, promote the idea of youth engaging in professional jobs in the future, and give young people an opportunity to train and gain experience to qualify them for the labor market. More than 60 students applied for this program.

The Chamber, in collaboration with Tamkeen and Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance, launched the “Tijjar” program. This program aims to promote the growth of the commercial sectors in the Kingdom of Bahrain, particularly the sector of small and medium-sized enterprises sector. It also seeks to provide the necessary support to develop skills and provide merchants with the best practices required in the labor market, raise the efficiency of the various sectors, and enhance their competitiveness and sustainability in the local labor market. About 180 business owners have benefited from the program.

In implementation of the royal directives for the concerned authorities to work to enhance their capabilities in the effective application of Law No. (18) of 2017 with respect to Alternative Penalties and Measures, without prejudice to the rights of the victims and those affected by the crime, and based on the responsibility of the private sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain and its active participation in the implementation of the provisions of this law through providing temporary jobs to those sentenced to work in community service. It can also provide rehabilitation and training programs commensurate with the personal circumstances of the convicts with the aim of reform and reintegrating them in the community to preserve family and societal stability, in a way that would ensure the creation of the means to implement more effective alternative punishments.   

The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in response to the directives of the government, and based on its role, responsibilities and constant keenness on the interest of the country and the citizens, has collaborated with the National Institute for Human Rights and the General Directorate of Verdict Enforcement and Alternative Sentencing at the Ministry of Interior to implement the program through providing job opportunities in private sector companies and institutions for the convicts. The program aims to ensure the involvement of the beneficiaries of the program in the community and achieving family stability. The number of companies registered in this program has amounted to more than (70).  

Within the framework of the strategy set within the directives and objectives of the Board of Directors for the 30^th session, which aims to enhance the contribution of the private sector in the development of the local economy through raising awareness, and based on the Chamber’s role through community partnership to support and develop the national economy, the Chamber held on 6-7 September 2022 sessions of the economic impact incubator directed to those wishing to run for the 2022 parliamentary elections, with the participation of more than (60) parliamentary candidates. The sessions included workshops and awareness and educational lectures in the legislative aspects related to economic work.  The sessions also shed light on the Chamber’s achievements in relation to the legislation it proposed and amended during the previous parliamentary session.

Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry prepared a booklet to educate entrepreneurs and introduce them to all programs and governmental and private agencies that provide services they can benefit from. This contributes to the enrichment of their businesses, and helps them overcome any obstacles they may face through finding proposed solutions and methods to achieve development and growth.
Additionally, this booklet facilitates the creation of a work environment with the appropriate conditions that enable entrepreneurs to build their institutions on strong foundations and rules, which is crucial since entrepreneurs play a prominent role in economic development, enhancing the competitive capabilities of countries, and providing the youth with job opportunities.

 13 private universities signed MoU’s with BCCI with the presence of BCCI president Mr. Sameer Nass as well as the secretary general of the higher education council Dr. Sh. Rana Alkhalifa, as well as the presence of higher education institutes founders and presidents. This initiative is the first of its kind to bridge the gap between industry and academia by engaging students in the industry through research projects, conferences, and internships. Opening a knowledge sharing channel with higher education institutes by sharing BCCI’s research publications and getting access to universities libraries.