Bahrain International Airport (BIA) could soon become a gateway not only to the kingdom, but also to its cuisine, creativity and young entrepreneurial talent, under a new parliamentary proposal aimed at transforming available space in the terminal.
Five MPs, led by airport area MP Mohammed Al Olaiwi, are calling for Bahraini entrepreneurs to be given pride of place at the terminal, offering local foods, snacks, sweets, beverages, handicrafts and handmade products to travellers.
“The airport is the country’s front window and it doesn’t look it,” said Mr Al Olaiwi. “Not in terms of human resources, where Bahrainis are already the majority, but in the lack of local food, beverages and products.”
He said the idea was inspired by the success of home-grown concepts seen at recent major tourism events. “We have seen young Bahrainis in Muharraq Nights and Hawa Al Manama who could take up spaces there with dining and cafe concepts,” he added.
According to Mr Al Olaiwi, the proposal offers a win-win solution for both entrepreneurs and the authorities, as the idiom suggests, killing two birds with one stone. “The young get to shine and at the same time empty spaces are filled up,” he said.
“The Bahrain Duty Free has its customers and the branded outlets have their own following ... but this is a new concept altogether.”
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