SMEs and entrepreneurship development in Bahrain

Abstract

This chapter analyses the impact of entrepreneurship development initiatives to the economic growth of the Kingdom of Bahrain. It briefly describes the economy of Bahrain and the policies and institutions in place to promote economic development. It shows how the Entrepreneurship Development and Enterprise Creation Programme initiated in Bahrain in 2000 contributed to the economic development of the Kingdom, and was instrumental in promoting productivity and competitiveness. It is argued that while an enabling operational environment is essential for the success of economic development initiatives, identifYing and encouraging local human resources and developing their capabilities to effectively contribute to the development process should be the prime objective for planning and implementing institutions. The experience of the Entrepreneurship Development Approach developed and implemented in Bahrain and its impact at the local as well as regional level in such a short span of time is concrete proof of this.