"Khetwa" program Achived the Arab Government Excellence Award as the best community development project
26-11-2020
His Excellency Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain’s record haul in the inaugural Arab Government Excellence Award—including the accolade for the “Khatwa” Home Business Programme run by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development—is the natural outcome of the great interest and insightful vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country's great King, may God protect and preserve him, the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him, and the personal keenness of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King of Bahrain and President of the Supreme Council for Women, may God protect her to place the economic and social empowerment of Bahraini citizens at the heart of sustainable development. Humaidan pointed out that this national achievement, accomplished by the Kingdom of Bahrain on several levels, will strengthen the Kingdom’s position on the regional and Arab development map. Bahrain won the largest number of honours in the Arab Government Excellence Award, announced on Wednesday at a ceremony held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. The winning Bahraini projects were: • The Ministry of Interior’s Governance of Economic and Customs Information for Trade Facilitation – Ofoq as the Best Government Development Initiative and Experience; • The Ministry of Health’s Efficient Use of Antibiotics as the Best Arab Government Project for Developing the Private Sector; • The Ministry of Labour and Social Development’s Khatwa for Home Based Businesses as the Best Arab Government Project for Community Development; • The Information and eGovernment Authority’s National System for Suggestions and Complaints (Tawasul) as the Best Arab Smart Government Application; and • The Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs’ Elite Industry as the Best Arab Government Project for Empowering Youth. Humaidan expressed Bahrain’s deep pride in, and appreciation for, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his comprehensive administrative and development vision and his outstanding support of distinguished government practices across the Arab world. He also voiced pride in the selection of the “Khatwa Programme for Home Based Businesses” as a leading community development initiative. The programme helps transform productive families from relying on social assistance to becoming self sustaining contributors to national development. Its integrated services include Family Bank financing for micro projects and young entrepreneurs; tailored training for beneficiary families; design and innovation support for product development; and marketing assistance. Since its launch, 864 families have obtained productive home licences, and Family Bank financing has enabled 47 families to establish competitive businesses. Humaidan added that Khatwa, which in 2014 won the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) International Prize for pioneering human-development projects, provides a supportive environment that allows productive families to graduate to full-scale entrepreneurship—one of its principal objectives within Bahrain’s policy of empowering individuals and families. By raising household incomes, the project has earned both Arab and international recognition. The Arab Government Excellence Award—launched by the League of Arab States in partnership with the Government of the United Arab Emirates and the Arab Administrative Development Organisation—aims to foster a culture of excellence, positive leadership, and service improvement in Arab public administration. With 15 categories for individuals and institutions and 5,000 first edition nominees, it is the largest award of its kind in the Arab world.