Manama : Her Highness Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairperson of INJAZ Bahrain, inaugurated the fourth edition of the INJAZ Bahrain Youth Festival at Marassi Galleria, attended by Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi, Minister of Youth Affairs, and more than 10,000 visitors. The festival featured a marketplace showcasing local products and services developed by young Bahraini entrepreneurs from various schools and universities.
Held on February 20-21, the festival began with the Company Programme qualifiers, where participating student companies were assessed. On the second day, Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa formally inaugurated the event alongside officials, including Minister of Youth Affairs Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi, Shaikha Hessa bint Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and INJAZ Bahrain Board Members.
With more than 800 students participating, the festival showcased 73 student led companies, including 25 from universities and 48 from high schools. Supported by Tamkeen as a strategic partner and hosted by Marassi Galleria, the event highlighted Bahrain’s entrepreneurial spirit.
A panel of judges assessed the student companies on the first day, nominating the top teams for INJAZ Bahrain’s National Competition in April. The judges included Buthaina Amin (Bapco Refining), Latifa Mutaywea (Brinc), Sara Adel (Tamkeen), and Yasser Abdulaziz for the secondary school category, while Eyad Ebrahim (National Bank of Bahrain), Faten Mattar (Mattar Jewellers), Manaf Al Muhandis (Al Salam Bank), and Safa Sharif (WSI Consulting) evaluated university teams.
The first day featured a traditional Liwa performance, followed by student evaluations, an oud recital by Mansoor Faisal, and a performance by Abyooki and the Kushari band. The second day included a qanoon performance, stage activities, and concluded with a musical performance by the Mohammed Bin Faris Band.
Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa described the festival as a celebration of youth creativity and entrepreneurship, reinforcing INJAZ Bahrain’s 20-year commitment to empowering young minds. She expressed appreciation for Tamkeen’s strategic partnership and Marassi Galleria’s support in providing a platform for young entrepreneurs.
Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi, Minister of Youth Affairs, commended INJAZ Bahrain for fostering youth innovation and entrepreneurship, aligning with Bahrain’s vision to empower future leaders. She highlighted INJAZ Bahrain’s efforts in equipping young people with essential skills and high quality programmes that prepare them for active participation in national development.
Since its establishment in 2005 as part of Junior Achievement Worldwide, INJAZ Bahrain has worked to equip young people with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in the global economy. Guided by its core values of youth potential, hands-on learning, integrity, and collaboration, the organisation, under the leadership of Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, has impacted more than 680,000 students over 18 years, supported by over 11,000 volunteers, 290 schools, and 15 universities.
