Interview with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa Deputy Prime Minister of Bahrain at UNESCO King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Prize

Interview with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa

This is the 5th consecutive “UNESCO King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Prize” for the Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Education. How important is this award for developing ICT in education?

H.H. Sheikh Mubarak Al-Khalifa: This is a very important award for education supported by the co-operation with the UNESCO. We strongly believe in education, which is strategic for the future. This award aims at encouraging people to invent and create in the ICT field to develop learning.

MarcoPolis: Bahrain is one of the regional cultural hubs with history going back to 2,000 B.C. In June 2011, the Kingdom will host the 35th UNSECO Committee. How important is this event for Bahrain?

H.H. Sheikh Mubarak Al-Khalifa: We do a lot to enhance the co-operation in culture, it means a lot. For example, the co-operation in this field between France and the Kingdom of Bahrain is well-known. Culture is really crucial and the UNESCO is of great support in this direction.

MarcoPolis: More generally and economically speaking, why should foreign investors come and invest in Bahrain?

H.H. Sheikh Mubarak Al-Khalifa: We are preparing the right ground for investment. Between France and Bahrain, we’ll have a gathering being done lately, just like this one today, for French businessmen to be aware of all the advantages the Kingdom of Bahrain offers to investors. Investors would like to have the proper laws, services, infrastructures and facilities. Bahrain being a trading center for centuries, from Dilmun civilization until now, we are accustomed to this business. Still, we are doing our best to renew and improve our systems to attract investors. I think Bahrain is already the financial center of the region, as all the banking entities are established in the country, but we hope to see more investors coming!