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H.E Culture Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa took part in a symposium themed "Investment in Culture", which was held in Sharjah on 28th May 2014, UAE, under the patronage of President of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs Shaikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi.

H.E Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qassimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Supreme Council for Family Affairs, and Wife of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has urged the private sector to invest in cultural projects and contribute to efforts to preserve national identity and heritage.

The meeting was attended by many social prominent figures, more than 150 personalities, ranging from women CEOs and government officials, school directors and women interested in culture in the UAE.

H.E Sheikha Jawaher, in her remarks at a symposium on investment in culture, expressed admiration of Bahrain’s experience where Minister of Culture, Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa oversees a partnership between the public and private sectors on restoring the country’s heritage sites. The Bahraini Minister of Culture presented the unique strategy advanced by H.E with regard to building a strong partnership between the private and public sector in investing in culture. Urban development and renovation of historical houses in Muharraq and Manama, are an example of this successful cooperation, H.E said. Adding “ Culture has no secrets to hide; it is the common beauty, individual creative ideas and good communication. We have managed during the last years to make our dreams come true, putting Bahrain on the world culture map. Our achievements are not the Ministry’s credit only, they are the nation’s pride shared by all Bahrainis ”

The Minister of Culture Minister reviewed through a work paper Bahrain's distinguished experience in boosting the intellectual and civilisational momentum and promoting inter-cultural dialogue. She stressed the key role played by the non-government organisations in enriching the cultural movement in Bahrain through partnership with relevant parties. She cited cultural projects which have been achieved so far and future ones aimed at further enhancing the cultural momentum in the kingdom.

"Investing in Culture" Exhibition was inaugurated at the Bahrain National Museum in February 2010. The project was initiated by H.E. Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Minister of Culture and Information, aims to forge a partnership Between the private sector and government institutions to financially and morally support the developmental projects adopted by the Sector of Culture and National Heritage. Examples include the National Theater, inaugurated and sponsored by HRH, King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, in 2012 and Qala’at Al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort) Site Museum, which seeks to maintain the ancient historic features of the site, as well as document the archaeological periods by preserving the artefacts discovered at the site, sponsored by Arcapita bank and opened in February 2008. The Regional Arab World Heritage Center, opened in 2012, is another major achievement of the Ministry, which would contribute in the enriching the cultural and tourist projects in the country and raise the individual awareness about their preservation.

With regard to the future of “ Invest in culture”, H.E Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammad Al-Khalifa, argued that Manama is celebrating the “ Year of Arts” , given that is the Asian Tourism City 2014, adding “ We are looking forward to celebrating arts, humanities and different civilistaions”. Invest in Culture projects, H.E added, include also Al-Khamis Mosque restoration and development, Sar Settlement Museum and research Center, Children’s Museum, and Barbar Temple Visitor’s Center.