Finance Minister participates in Mastercard’s Global Inclusive Growth Summit 2025
Washington, Apr. 25 (BNA): Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy, participated in the Global Inclusive Growth Summit (GIGS) 2025, hosted by Mastercard in Washington, D.C.
The minister emphasised the Kingdom of Bahrain’s continued efforts to adopt policies that foster a supportive investment environment, contributing to the growth of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and advancing economic diversification. He highlighted the vital role SMEs play in driving national development and achieving key economic goals.
Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa noted Bahrain’s commitment to developing its digital financial infrastructure in line with advanced, innovation based technologies. He stated that these efforts support economic advancement and enhance the quality of financial services, underpinned by initiatives that promote digital transformation.
The minister underscored the importance of investing in human capital to cultivate a generation with the drive for excellence in fields such as finance and business. He also highlighted the private sector’s contribution to national development.
He commended the role of the Labour Fund “Tamkeen” in supporting economic growth by strengthening the private sector, developing local enterprises, and enhancing the skills and employability of Bahraini citizens. These efforts align with the directives of His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of Tamkeen’s Board of Directors, and include the implementation of tailored programmes to meet labour market needs.
Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa also underlined that the partnership between Tamkeen and the Mastercard Centre for Inclusive Growth aims to empower Bahraini SMEs through access to digital and financial tools, including artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
On the sidelines of the summit, the Minister met with Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Michael Miebach, CEO of Mastercard; John Huntsman, Vice Chairman of Mastercard; and Shamina Singh, President of the Mastercard Centre for Inclusive Growth.
The summit was also attended by Khalid bin Ebrahim Humaidan, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain; Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States of America; and several officials.
