UNIDO and the Rashid Al Khalifa Art Foundation launch the ‘Year of the Orange Economy’ in Bahrain 12 May 2025

Manama, 4 May 2025 – Throughout the world, creative industries – which encompass art, culture, media, design, technology, and heritage industries – amount to over US$2 trillion in worldwide Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while supporting more than 50 million jobs.

Against this background, the UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Bahrain, in collaboration with the Rashid Al Khalifa (RAK) Art Foundation, launched the ‘Year of the Orange Economy’ to foster creative industries that, in turn, will greatly contribute to the country’s sustainable economic and industrial development.

In doing so, UNIDO ITPO Bahrain and the RAK Art Foundation seek to promote culture and nurture entrepreneurship – through conferences and exhibitions as well as engagement activities and workshops focusing, inter alia, on fostering innovation and connecting the country’s creative talent with international markets.

The Year of the Orange Economy will be powered by the RAK Art Foundation’s educational arm called the Art Station, which will provide access to mentorship, international networks, and professional opportunities.

“Working with UNIDO reflects the RAK Art Foundation’s ongoing mission to support local talent, promote cultural dialogue, and position creativity at the core of sustainable economic development”, said Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa. “We look forward to collaborate with UNIDO and bridge, together, creativity, entrepreneurship, and technology”.

Furthermore, the Art Station will host workshops and incubation activities aligned with the ‘2025 UNIDO-ITPO Bahrain Global Call on Creative Orange Economy’, which is a competition that invites entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators to submit creative and sustainable business ideas. The competition includes four main categories: Green Production, Digital Innovation, and Cultural Heritage as well as a category dedicated to school and university students with the aim of developing emerging talent.

“Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa is a visionary and passionate advocate, who believes in the transformative power of art”, said Hashim Hussein, Head of the UNIDO ITPO Bahrain. “Working with the RAK Art Foundation will help raise awareness for the significant role that creativity plays in fostering economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development”.