Manama : The research team at the Royal University for Women (RUW) underscored that the results of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) – Bahrain report, along with the Women’s Entrepreneurship special report, represent a significant national achievement. These reports position the Kingdom of Bahrain among the world’s leading countries in fostering a supportive environment for innovation and entrepreneurial initiative, highlighting the Kingdom’s advanced standing both regionally and internationally in the field of entrepreneurship.
In a statement to Bahrain News Agency (BNA), the RUW research team said that the reports provide a strategic platform to showcase the role of Bahraini women in entrepreneurship, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to promoting a culture of entrepreneurship and empowering women, while enhancing their contribution to sustainable economic and social development. They emphasised that the results will encourage further research and the development of partnerships that support Bahrain’s progress in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Christelle Comair, Director of the Women’s Research Centre and lead researcher for the GEM Bahrain study and the Women’s Entrepreneurship report, said that this first national report places Bahrain among the leading countries globally in creating a supportive environment for entrepreneurship. She noted that the report demonstrates the Kingdom’s progress in innovation, infrastructure, and public policy, highlighting the role of entrepreneurship as a key driver of sustainable development.
Dr. Comair noted that Bahrain’s participation in the Women’s Entrepreneurship report provides a unique focus on female entrepreneurship, highlighting achievements, challenges, and opportunities, thereby enabling policymakers to develop more effective strategies to support and empower women in the national economy.
She emphasised that the Women’s Research Centre views this report as a strategic milestone to launch further studies and initiatives supporting women’s participation in entrepreneurship and enhancing their role in building an innovative and prosperous society.
The centre remains committed to translating the study’s findings into actionable policies and programs that strengthen Bahrain’s position as a leading hub for entrepreneurship and expand opportunities for female entrepreneurs, she added.
Dr. Comair also commended the efforts of Bahrain’s national institutions, including ministries, governmental authorities, educational and research institutions, and the private sector, for their role in cultivating an entrepreneurial culture and providing a supportive environment. She noted that the collaboration of these entities was essential to the success of the study and to projecting Bahrain’s distinguished image internationally.
Dr. Raed Alnimer, Dean of the College of Business and Law at RUW, said the GEM Bahrain report represents a major national achievement, placing the Kingdom in a leading position regionally and globally in entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly in women’s entrepreneurship.
He highlighted that the report is the first of its kind in Bahrain, resulting from joint efforts between government and private sector entities, reflecting a coordinated approach to creating an advanced entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Dr. Alnimer said that the report emphasises the pioneering role of Bahraini women and underscores the Kingdom’s high rate of female participation in business compared to other countries in the region.
He added that RUW considers women’s empowerment central to its mission and is committed to supporting research, building partnerships, and equipping students with the skills needed to succeed in entrepreneurship.
Dr. Alnimer also noted that the report contributes to consolidating Bahrain’s future vision as a global centre for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Additionally, Dr. Nehal El Naggar, Associate Professor and Acting OSL Manager at RUW, said the GEM report serves as a key reference for researchers by identifying priority areas and highlighting gaps in entrepreneurial ecosystems in other countries. She noted that RUW, through the Women’s Research Centre and the College of Business and Law, led the Bahrain study to highlight the overall entrepreneurship landscape and the specific role of women, showing the Kingdom’s progressive entrepreneurship environment.
Dr. El Naggar said Bahrain achieved a very high ranking on the Women in Entrepreneurship index, reflecting the strong performance of Bahraini women. She attributed this success to the integrated support system for entrepreneurship in Bahrain, including government initiatives, institutional backing, and the individual competitiveness and creativity of local entrepreneurs.
Jalal Naser, statistician and assistant researcher with the GEM team, said the report highlights government efforts to support entrepreneurship and identifies areas for improvement to ensure the sector’s sustainability. He noted that the report uses a comprehensive global framework covering government, academia, entrepreneurs, civil society, students, and researchers.
Naser added that the report supports Bahrain’s vision for a sustainable knowledge-based economy and showcases the Kingdom’s tangible achievements, ranking second or third among Gulf and global countries.
Dr. Fajer Danish, Assistant Professor at RUW, described the report as a critical tool for evaluating Bahrain’s entrepreneurship initiatives.
She emphasised that it not only documents achievements but also identifies areas requiring development to sustain this vital sector.
Dr. Danish said that the report’s globally applicable framework encompasses all key stakeholders, reflecting Bahrain’s commitment to promoting innovation and economic growth, and for the first time, includes Bahraini indicators in the global report, allowing precise performance comparisons over the years.
Dr. Danish also noted that the report will encourage new partnerships among universities, institutions, and professional associations, enabling knowledge exchange and benefiting from successful regional and international practices.
She said that it is expected to stimulate applied research and collaborative initiatives to further develop Bahrain’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Dr. Somaya Al Hashim, Assistant Professor at Jönköping International Business School, highlighted that the report underscores Bahrain’s global leadership in entrepreneurship, ranking seventh worldwide.
She emphasised the role of women in this achievement, noting that Bahraini women establish businesses faster than men, contrary to global trends, thanks to the Kingdom’s support and resources.
Dr. Al Hashim concluded that the high global ranking and strong entrepreneurial drive among Bahraini women demonstrate Bahrain’s progress and the effectiveness of its support system.
Shaikha Al Fadel, Director of SMEs Development Department at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, said that the GEM Bahrain 2024–2025 report ranked the Kingdom seventh globally among 56 economies, reflecting Bahrain’s creation of a favourable entrepreneurship environment.
She emphasised the importance of focusing on innovation and the digital economy, which form a core part of Bahrain’s entrepreneurship advancement. She concluded that the report presents a positive picture of the Kingdom’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
