On the sidelines of Gateway Gulf 2025 with the aim of enhancing Bahraini SMEs financial and digital readiness Tamkeen and Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth Collaborate to Launch Mastercard Strive in Bahrain
Today, on the sidelines of the Gateway Gulf Investment Forum, the Bahrain Labour Fund (Tamkeen) and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth announced the launch of the first Mastercard Strive Program, a global small business program, in Bahrain.
Through this partnership, Bahraini small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will have the opportunity to enhance their financial and digital readiness, enabling them to improve operational efficiency and ensure the sustainability and growth of their business.
This collaboration aims to support SMEs in their growth, while encouraging the adoption of digital tools and technologies that can help expand their operations, reach new markets and ensure long-term sustainability for these enterprises.
This program aligns with Tamkeen’s strategic priorities for 2025, which focus on enhancing the position and competitiveness of Bahrainis in the private sector, equipping Bahrainis with suitable skills for career development in the private sector, and prioritizing enterprise growth, digitization and sustainability.
On this occasion, Ms. Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, Tamkeen Chief Executive said: “This collaboration comes as part of our ongoing efforts to support the ecosystem of small and medium enterprises, which serves as a key pillar of the national economy and plays a vital role in creating quality employment opportunities for Bahraini talent. Through the launch of the first-of-its-kind Mastercard Strive program in the region, we aim to provide more tailored solutions designed to meet the specific needs of these enterprises, enabling them to access the necessary resources to ensure the sustainability of their operations and enhance their positive contribution to national economic growth.”
Saud Swar, Senior Vice President and Country Manager for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and other Levant Mastercard commented: “This partnership highlights the importance of leveraging innovative financial and digital solutions to empower SMEs across various sectors. We have seen great success with Mastercard Strive in other markets, and alongside Tamkeen and the Kingdom of Bahrain, we look forward to helping enhance operational efficiency and productivity for Bahraini small businesses, enabling them to achieve their development goals.”
Since its launch in 2020, the Mastercard Strive program has reached millions of small businesses around the world with digital solutions, access to capital and networks and know-how. As of 2024, Mastercard Strive has reached more than 19 million micro, small and medium-sized enterprises globally.
This announcement was made on the sidelines of the Gateway Gulf Investment Forum, hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain in its third edition with the participation of senior executives, government officials, and business leaders from around the world.