Tamkeen, Bahrain’s labour fund, has allocated a budget of BD4.4 million ($11.67 million) to support 1,100 the kingdom’s fishermen, and BD5.93 million to support 600 farmers.

The organisation has created two support programmes catering specifically to meet needs of Bahraini fishermen and farmers, which aim to enable this sector to acquire advanced technologies and adapt modern and effective methods.

The support comes as part of Tamkeen's objective to provide funding and advice to Bahraini private enterprises to enhance their capabilities.

Through Tamkeen's support, fishermen and farmers are able to improve their productivity and enhance the respective sectors while at the same time working towards food self-sufficiency.

The support also helps create rewarding jobs for Bahrainis in the two sectors.

To date, more than 1,140 Bahraini farmers and fishermen have benefited from the two programmes.

'Because of financial problems, my career was about to come to an end,' said fisherman Hamad Habib Al Tawq.

'But thanks to Tamkeen's support, I managed to obtain modern technologies and stay in the profession that I have always loved.

'In fact, the support helped me expand my business, which is the sole source of livelihood for me and my family,' he added.

'Tamkeen's support revived my project and put it on a solid track for success on the levels of management, financial obligations, and consultation,' said Lulwa Khalifa who runs an agricultural project.

Khalifa said work in her agricultural establishment is now moving faster as modern equipment and technology obtained through Tamkeen's support are being used to cultivate and irrigate land and package and market products.

'Our sales increased and our revenues soared,' she said.

Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Ghatam, who started his career in the agricultural and water sector, thanked Tamkeen for a financial grant that helped him expand his business.

He called for more support options to suit various needs of the Bahraini establishments and help them improve their performance.

'Tamkeen's support and encouragement motivated me to develop and expand my business in the area of protected agriculture and related water desalination,' Al Ghatam said.

'We now have more customers. And our products are distributed across the kingdom,' he added.

Tamkeen offers about 180 programmes to develop human capital and support the private sector in Bahrain.

About 53,000 Bahrainis and Bahrain-based enterprises have so far benefited from these programmes. – TradeArabia News Service