womanthismonth.com | JUNE 2026 WOTYA 2026 86 How does this partnership reflect ITPO Bahrain’s wider mission in the region? ITPO Bahrain’s mission is to drive investment and technology transfer through the Bahrain Model. This collaboration puts that mission into action. By recognising the achievements of women leaders, we are supporting a more diverse and forward thinking investment environment, and helping to position Bahrain as a leading centre for sustainable and inclusive development across various sectors. What does supporting Woman of the Year say about the importance of recognising women’s achievements today? It underscores that women are the primary architects of the new economy. Whether it is a Empowering Women’s Enterprise Dr. Hashim S. Hussein of UNIDO ITPO Bahrain discusses its renewed support for Woman of the Year 2026 and the role of women in future economic growth. What made ITPO Bahrain want to continue its partnership with the Woman of the Year Awards 2026? Our decision to renew this partnership is driven by a profound strategic evolution within ITPO Bahrain. As we navigate 2026, our mandate has expanded beyond traditional industrial support to championing the Quad Economy – a holistic model that integrates the Green, Blue, Orange and Silver sectors. We recognised that the Woman of the Year Awards serves as a unique platform for leaders to showcase their achievements in these sectors. We chose to continue this journey for three reasons. First is the rise of the Silver Economy. We are witnessing a surge in female led innovation focusing on healthy ageing, longevity and specialised healthcare services. Women are natural architects of this sector, and this partnership allows us to identify and scale these longevity startups that are becoming vital to Bahrain’s social fabric. Second is synergy with the Bahrain Model. The Awards provide a high visibility platform to apply our Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Programme. By continuing our involvement, we can transition winners directly from the podium into our technical assistance programmes, ensuring their creative or sustainable ideas become bankable, internationalised businesses. Third is cross sectoral innovation. We have observed that female entrepreneurs are uniquely adept at pivoting between pillars – for example, using the Orange Economy, or creativity, to solve problems in the Green or Blue sectors. We want ITPO Bahrain to remain the bridge connecting innovative women to the global investment and technology transfer networks they need to thrive. startup focusing on healthy ageing or a digital media venture, recognising these achievements signals to the global market that Bahrain’s economic resilience is built on gender diverse leadership. It moves the conversation from participation to ownership. What are your expectations from this year’s partnership and from the event itself? I expect to see a surge in Quad focused entries. Specifically, I am looking for innovators in the Blue Economy who are protecting our maritime heritage and entrepreneurs in the Silver Economy developing services for our ageing population. My goal for this event is to transition these winners directly into our specialised incubation programmes at the International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
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