Bahrain Labour Fund, Tamkeen, is continuing its efforts to boost the private sector by backing on-the-job training for 50 Bahrainis at Arla Foods. The participants will receive training in various critical manufacturing areas, acquiring transferable skills and best practices in dairy manufacturing. Following the training, they will be prioritized for full-time positions at Arla Foods.
The initiative aims to increase the Bahrainization rate in the fast-moving consumer goods industry which has recorded a 46.24% compound annual growth rate since 2017. Arla Foods, the fourth largest dairy producer in the world and the largest manufacturer of organic dairy products, operates a state-of-the-art factory in Bahrain and plans to expand local production to more than 100,000 tons annually by 2025.
Khalid AlBayat, Executive Director of Business Development at Tamkeen, commented, “Tamkeen remains committed to positioning Bahrainis as the employee of choice across a broad range of high-growth, high-opportunity sectors, including FMCG manufacturing. It is our aim to develop a strong pool of local talent in this sector, which will in turn contribute to attracting further business opportunities and investment into the Kingdom.”
Mona Al Sari, Senior Head of Human Resources at Arla Foods, stated: “Serving the entire region, our facility in the Kingdom has helped to improve product shelf-life and minimize costs for transportation and product development. Having highly skilled local talent is a major part of our growth strategy, and we value this collaboration with Tamkeen’s which helps us invest in ambitious Bahraini talent.”
The FMCG market in Bahrain represents an excellent opportunity for import substitution with locally manufactured products. With the presence of global companies such as Arla Foods in the Kingdom, human capital development, supply chain enhancement, and career specialization will help generate high-quality and value exports from Bahrain to the region and beyond it.
