Under the patronage of HM the King's Personal Representative for Charity Work and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the third Al Basta Market, organised by the Southern Governorate, will open on Friday.
Al Basta Market , the biggest annual shopping festival in Bahrain, will be held at Bahrain International Circuit every Friday and Saturday from 2pm to 9pm until March 28, 2015.
Southern Governor Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashid Al Khalifa praised Shaikh Nasser's support to their edition of the market, noting that his patronage of the event for the second year in a row proves his keenness to achieve its goals, including empowering Bahraini youth in every fields, and supporting owners of micro-, small- and medium-sized-enterprises through helping them to market their products.
The Market is in line with the vision of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development launched by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women, and will be supported by Tamkeen, the Southern Governorate, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Bahrain Noor Al-Aain Festival, Bahrain National Gas Company (BANAGAS), the Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC), Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) and Zajil Press.
More than 75,000 visitors are expected to visit the market this year, compared with 62,000 last year and 700 participants, including individuals, institutions and productive families, are expected to showcase their products.
New sections will be introduced this year, including an aquarium, an additional children's corner, a green industrial oasis and handicrafts.