Tamkeen signs UK skills deal

07/01/2016 08:46 AST

: Tamkeen has signed an agreement with UK-based Mowgli Foundation to launch entrepreneurial mentoring services under the umbrella of Tamkeen's advisory services.

Under the agreement, Mowgli will train and match mentors with Bahraini entrepreneurs to support them in developing their businesses further and making the best of various Tamkeen programmes.

It will also co-ordinate the mentoring programme and process, selecting and training mentors and entrepreneurs in line with specific international standards. Fifteen institutions will be serviced in the pilot phase, during which Tamkeen will monitor the entrepreneurs' progress and level of development.

Tamkeen chairman Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa said the initiative is expected to contribute to the creation of a progressive environment for entrepreneurship in Bahrain, giving an opportunity to small and medium-sized enterprises to gain the experience and knowledge needed to achieve growth and development.

The mentoring is expected to help entrepreneurs innovate more services and products to expand and develop their businesses. "Mowgli Foundation is known for its leading role in mentoring businesses as well as its work with major companies and institutions in Europe and the Middle East," he added.

Shaikh Mohammed also said Tamkeen is planning to expand its advisory services, which offer mentoring as well as career and professional guidance to individuals and enterprises, in partnership with a number of stakeholders, experts and professionals.

Mowgli chief executive Kathleen Bury said she was "glad to begin operations in Bahrain with Tamkeen to support Bahraini entrepreneurs".

"Our organisations share the same goals of developing the private sector and positioning it as the key driver of economic development."

Gulf Daily News