The Bahrain SME Council has announced its comprehensive 2026 strategy, focusing on enhanced financial support to strengthen small and medium enterprises amid economic diversification efforts.
SME Financial Resilience Programs: Sanad Initiative and Tamkeen Grants
Key components include the Sanad programme by Bahrain Development Bank (BDB), offering accessible liquidity to ease financial pressures on SMEs, alongside Tamkeen’s grants covering up to 50% of profit rates on Sharia-compliant financing from major banks like NBB, BBK, and Al Salam Bank. These measures align with Bahrain’s Industrial Sector Strategy (2022-2026), providing relief packages for 7,250 companies impacted by recent regional tensions including Iranian attacks.
Economic Vision 2030 Impact: SME Role in Sustainable Growth
The $185 million SME Fund represents a collaborative push involving government and private sector partners to foster innovation-driven growth and youth entrepreneurship. Additional parliamentary approvals target utility cost relief and MSME funds, positioning SMEs as vital drivers of Bahrain’s private sector resilience and national economic sustainability.
