PEOPLE | interview Dr. Hussein, could you give us an overview of your career and how you came to head the UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Bahrain? It has been an honour to head this office since we established it in 1996. My background is in international management, having completed my Master’s and PhD in France, followed by further doctoral research in the US. I joined UNIDO in 1991 and became the first industrial coordinator for the Gulf region. We quickly realised that private sector development was key to enhancing industrialisation efforts here, which led to the creation of the ITPO in Bahrain. Today, we are part of a global network, with offices in eight countries including Japan, Italy, Germany, China, South Korea and Russia. Our focus is on mobilising investment and technology, and from Bahrain, we launched what’s known as the ‘Bahrain Model,’ now being implemented globally. You recently met with Bahrain’s Minister of Social Development. Can you tell us how UNIDO is collaborating with the government on sustainable development? We work closely with multiple ministries, particularly the Ministry of Finance and Economy, to align our efforts with Bahrain’s broader development goals. Over the years, this collaboration has expanded to include the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Supreme Council for Women, and many universities. Our work is rooted in education, innovation and entrepreneurship, as we believe that fostering the right mindset early on is essential for sustainable development. UNIDO Bahrain has played a crucial role in supporting youth and women. Are there any success stories you’d like to highlight? One of our most celebrated success stories is Mrs. Huda Janahi, a trailblazing entrepreneur who entered our programme in 2001. She gained international recognition when Propelling Development Dr. Hashim S. Hussein has been at the forefront of driving Bahrain’s entrepreneurial ecosystem for over two decades, leading the UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) since its establishment in 1996. In this interview with Bahrain This Month, Dr. Hussein sheds light on UNIDO’s initiatives, Bahrain’s achievements in entrepreneurship and the future of industrial growth. Bahrainthismonth.com 28 October 2024
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