Bahrain's iFactories Initiative Will Build 300 Smart Factories by 2026

Bahrain has unveiled a new program aimed at bolstering its manufacturing industry in preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Named iFactories, this initiative will evaluate the digital readiness and maturity of factories, all while encouraging enterprises to make investments in cutting-edge infrastructure and manufacturing automation technologies.

According to Abdullah bin Abdel Fakhro, the Minister of Industry and Commerce in Bahrain, the primary objective of this initiative is to convert 300 manufacturing plants into smart factories by the year 2026.

The initiative will use a four-step process:

• Evaluation by the ministry with technical assistance to conduct self-evaluation.
• Evaluation by a team of accredited evaluators.
• Empowerment, involving the factory creating a digital transformation plan.
• Development, with the ministry monitoring the transformation process.

In a recent announcement, Dr. Khaled Fahad Al Alawi, the Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Development, detailed the evaluation process for smart factories. These factories will be assessed using the internationally recognized SIRI index, which focuses on implementing practices and tools aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

This latest initiative is a significant component of Bahrain's comprehensive strategy to spur economic growth. By modernizing the country's industrial sector and promoting automation, it aims to incentivize businesses to scale up their operations.

Source: Tech Magazine