Registration begins for ‘Mashroo3i’

Manama : Registration for the fourth edition of ‘Mashroo3i’, a youth business award competition kicks off today, its organisers, Tamkeen, announced yesterday. 

The competition which aims to support Bahraini youth in transforming their business ideas into feasible business plans, is open for Bahraini nationals aged between 18 to 30 years old. The registration runs until January 28.

“Entrepreneurship is considered the backbone of sustainable modern economies and plays a major role in driving innovation and growth within the business sector. One of the main pillars of Tamkeen’s strategy is to develop the entrepreneurial sector in the Kingdom by launching several initiatives and services aimed at supporting the growth and development of this sector,” said Tamkeen’s Chief Operating Officer Amal Al Kooheji.

Manager of Youth Schemes at Tamkeen, Mohammed Ahmadi, said: “This competition targets Bahraini youth who have a business idea and would like to convert their dream into a reality. During the first phase of the competition, all business ideas will be evaluated by a panel. Shortlisted ideas will then be introduced to their mentors who will be guiding each team to develop their idea into feasible business plans. The mentors represent some of the most successful Bahraini entrepreneurs,” he said. “Once the business plan is finalised, the teams will present to a panel of judges. The shortlisted team will then have to develop the business prototype and get ready to showcase their business idea in a public exhibition held at one of the main shopping malls,” he added.

Ahmadi further said,  “During the exhibition, the judges will assess and select the winners while the public will have the opportunity to vote for the coveted ‘People’s Choice Awards’.” 

Over 450 youngsters benefited

482 Bahraini youth representing a total of 199 business ideas have benefited from the competition since its launch 2012, a Tamkeen spokesperson told DT News.

“482 Bahrainis benefitted from the previous three editions. They were able to further develop their business ideas with our help. A number of them have already started their own businesses. We know at least nine businesses that has become successful thanks to the competition,” the spokesperson said.

“The main objective of the project is awareness, not immediate business success of the participants. For instance, in previous editions we were even working with participants who were as young as 15, they were in school level, but we wanted to give them the knowledge of entrepreneurship and to develop their talents,” she said.

“Ten years back entrepreneurship was not something that the youth aimed for. They had no idea how to start a business and most of them did not ever consider it. However things have changed so much, now there is more awareness about entrepreneurship and we are trying to help them and guide them. Bahrainis really have good business ideas, all they need is the support and guidance to build on those,” she added.