Manama: The Ministry of Industry and Commerce held a ceremony to honour the fifth cohort of participants in the Consumer Protection Ambassadors initiative, organised by the Consumer Protection Directorate in coordination with the Ministry of Youth Affairs. The initiative forms part of the Kingdom of Bahrain's national efforts to continue investing in young talent, enhance the role of Bahraini youth in promoting consumer awareness, foster the principles of social responsibility, and support the development of a marketplace characterised by high standards of transparency and competitiveness.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, affirmed that the people of the Kingdom are the nation's greatest asset and the cornerstone of its comprehensive development journey. He emphasised that investing in youth capabilities and providing them with opportunities to acquire practical experience and specialised knowledge remains a national priority, contributing to the preparation of a generation capable of leading the future, adapting to evolving economic and commercial developments, and actively supporting sustainable development.
Minister Fakhro noted that the Consumer Protection Ambassadors initiative, which has now successfully reached its fifth cohort, has become a leading national model for youth empowerment. Through specialised training programmes and practical applications, the initiative enhances participants' awareness of consumer rights and responsibilities while equipping them with the skills required to promote a culture of informed consumerism, thereby supporting the Ministry's efforts to strengthen confidence in the marketplace and reinforce sound commercial practices.
The Minister further highlighted that the initiative reflects the importance of collaboration between government entities and the private sector in investing in national talent. He expressed his appreciation to the sponsoring organizations for their continued support, which demonstrates their commitment to social responsibility and their belief in the vital role of youth as partners in development and in shaping the future.
For her part, Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi, Minister of Youth Affairs, said that the initiative represents a pioneering national model for empowering young people and engaging them in initiatives that promote public awareness while reinforcing the values of responsibility and transparency. She noted that the partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce reflects the integration of government efforts to invest in youth potential and prepare young Bahrainis to play an active role in the Kingdom's national development.
Minister Tawfiqi affirmed that the Ministry of Youth Affairs remains committed to supporting high-quality programmes that combine practical training with specialised knowledge. She said such initiatives enhance the skills of Bahraini youth, strengthen their readiness for the labour market, and enable them to play a key role in promoting a culture of informed consumerism. This supports the Kingdom's aspirations for a more competitive and sustainable economy driven by national talent.
The recognition of the fifth cohort marks the successful completion of the programme, which featured specialized lectures, practical training, and field visits to a number of commercial establishments. The programme aimed to broaden participants' knowledge of consumer protection, market regulations, and complaint-handling mechanisms, while also strengthening their communication skills and capacity to raise community awareness.
The Consumer Protection Ambassadors initiative continues to achieve its objectives of preparing qualified national youth capable of promoting consumer awareness, strengthening confidence in the marketplace, and reinforcing the principles of transparency and fair competition. These efforts support the Kingdom's vision of building a more competitive and sustainable economy while underscoring the pivotal role of Bahraini youth as key partners in shaping the future and advancing national development.