Small and Medium Industries

The strategic effects that have been created by the small and medium industries are well reflected in the direct contribution of such industries to the volume of exports, capital investments, employment opportunities and the number of small and medium enterprises. The exports of these industries constitute 8% of the State's total industrial employment of 22,000 employees. The industrial investment is estimated to form 10% of the total investments.

By the number of employed persons, the small and medium enterprises form 76% of the approximate total 400 industries. The engineering, metal, food and chemical industries form up to 70% of the total small and medium industries in Bahrain.

Through the Ministry of Industry, the Government of Bahrain has created a special administrative that is entrusted with the task of developing and supporting the existing small and medium enterprises and of guiding new entrepreneurs to potential industries and technical expertise. The Small & Medium Enterprises Unit provides three programs by which the Unit shares the new entrepreneurs in the cost of feasibility studies through the Industrial Investor Development Program (IIDP). The Unit also provides support to industries carrying out marketing research with the aim of promoting their export capabilities and of targeting international markets. This support is provided through the Industrial Marketing Development Program (IMDP). In connection with the encouragement of Bahraini skills, innovations and patents, the Unit, through the Industrial Talents Development Programs (ITDP) embraces and converts certain ideas into industrial projects that can contribute to national capabilities.

Additionally, the Ministry of Industry, in co-operation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), provides a program designed for the development of businessmen, Within this program, ongoing workshops are conducted, aiming at developing the ability of new entrepreneurs. In co-operation with the Bahrain Development bank, the Ministry has also established the Business Incubator Center for embracing small industrial ideas skill and investments under globally controlled management.