Bahrain pushes local factories into digital era

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Fast-tracking everything from aluminium smelters to textile mills into the new age, Ministry of Industry and Commerce is pushing through a raft of steps to bring local factories into the world of high-tech machinery, sharpen their edge in the marketplace, and cut dependence on imports.

The Minister, His Excellency Abdulla Fakhro, said these moves are part of the country’s Industrial Sector Strategy (2022–2026), linked to the Economic Recovery Plan.

Growth

He said his office has looked hard at current industry, marked out gaps, and found ways to keep more making at home instead of buying from abroad, all to ensure steadier growth.

In response to a Parliamentary question by MP Ahmed Al Salloom, Fakhro said there are seven key measures at play.

He noted these will raise output, make it easier to start and run factories, and draw more money into top-grade machines for automated work.

The government, he said, is joining forces with Tamkeen, to help factories embrace smart tools: “We are working with Tamkeen to back spending on fine digital systems and apply the Smart Industry Readiness Index to gauge how well factories take to Industry 4.0 ways.”

The Minister spoke of the “Made in Bahrain” badge, brought in two years ago, as a mark of home-grown quality that helps goods do well not only at home, but also in nearby and far-off markets.

“We give this mark to goods with at least 35 per cent home content,” said Fakhro. “This lets keen makers put their wares before buyers here and overseas, lifting sales and making their brand known far and wide.”

Takamul scheme

To give extra strength to home industry, Fakhro pointed to the Takamul scheme, which grants certain papers to firms that spend here, giving them an upper hand in future government orders. He said this helps local making, draws new funds, brings better standards, and lays the ground for new lines of trade.