Manama:The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has announced the successful completion of its national target under the Smart Factories Initiative, which began in August 2023. This accomplishment was achieved by directly engaging with 300 Bahraini factories, supporting the Industrial Sector Strategy 2022-2026 and enhancing the readiness of national industries to adopt Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, stated that achieving the initiative's target is a significant milestone in developing Bahrain's industrial sector. It reflects the Kingdom's commitment to supporting industrial establishments in adopting advanced technologies.
The initiative, aimed at improving productivity and strengthening competitiveness, goes beyond assessing digital readiness. It helps factories identify development opportunities, prioritize investments, and improve production efficiency. Additionally, it focuses on developing national expertise in industrial readiness assessment and digital transformation, while fostering cooperation between public and private sectors and specialized technical entities.
Assessments were conducted based on the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI), which evaluates factories across three dimensions Process, Technology, and Organisation. These assessments identify opportunities in automation, digital connectivity, and data analytics, supporting enhancements in production efficiency, quality, and resource utilization.
A key component of the initiative was the Guided Assessments programme, providing Bahraini assessors with practical experience in evaluating factories under expert supervision. This program contributed to developing national capabilities in digital maturity assessment and advanced manufacturing.
Strategic partners played a crucial role in achieving the initiative's target. Tamkeen (Labour Fund) supported a national workforce qualification programme in smart factories, while the Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) provided technical consultancy and conducted field assessments. The International Centre for Industrial Transformation (INCIT) supported guided assessments using the SIRI methodology, and TÜV SÜD trained and qualified Bahraini assessors while supervising assessments. Yokogawa offered technical expertise in industrial automation and digital transformation and conducted factory assessments under its memorandum of understanding with the Ministry.
The Ministry emphasized that engaging with 300 factories sets the stage for the next phase, which will focus on translating assessment findings into practical technology projects. This phase aims to drive sustainable improvements in factory performance, enhance industrial productivity and competitiveness, develop national talent in advanced manufacturing, and further strengthen Bahrain's position as an attractive destination for industrial investment.