RCSI

are productive but also behaviors that can boost productivity within companies, such as the adoption of digital technology. With this in mind, Tamkeen is prioritizing spending on high-potential sectors and scalable projects that can create greater impact on the economy; digitization, innovation and market expansion. With the challenges imposed by the pandemic in the job market across major economies, creating high skill jobs and support of professional development to create also the needed leadership talent are top priorities of the coming phase in Tamkeen’s journey.

? How did the pandemic affect Tamkeen and how are you overcoming it? Of course, Tamkeen was actively involved in supporting the business community during the pandemic in order to mitigate economic disruptions where possible. But this extraordinary shock also delivered important lessons, above all the need to innovate, build nimbleness and resilience, and strengthen our readiness in the face of adversity. Digital technology was a lifeline to many businesses during the crisis and has helped trigger broader business model changes. By investing more in technology, companies can become both more productive and more nimble and resilient while cutting their traditional reliance on low cost labor. Perhaps even more importantly, the crisis taught companies to ask and answer questions. Businesses that evolve and grow are once that are constantly looking for new and better ways of working. One way of ensuring the optimal use and impact of the Tamkeen’s budget is to address the need of investing in sectors and projects that are ready to excel in the market, and to achieve broad growth opportunities at the level of the national economy and at the level of employment of Bahrainis. What we are looking for is a promising economy for the Kingdom, for the citizen and for the market.

? What are your achievements over the year please? A f t e r a d d r e s s i n g t h e n e e d s o f enterprises affected by the COVID-19 related disruptions, Tamkeen relaunched its standard programs. We recognize the need to support individuals and businesses at a challenging time of transition. However, we were also keen to understand how business behavior had changed as a result of the pandemic. We have taken these insights to enhance our program design going forward. In keeping with our new strategy and transition of the economy to the postpandemic era, we have dedicated most of 2021 to adapting our support solutions to better match the new economic realities. At the same time, the importance of the original vision of putting the private sector at the forefront of driving growth is greater than even. We are keen to channel more of our support to areas and activities where it can really make a difference while of course keeping in mind that there our programs that have to be inclusive. Human capital support is available to and through support to things like digitization, we want to help all willing companies to embrace technology to become more productive and nimbler. We are particularly keen to help accelerate the development of high-potential sectors that are underpinned by productivity, aligned with national priorities, have export potential, drive quality diversification, and offer intrinsic dynamism.