Bahrain will become the first country in the Middle East to host the UN Public Service Forum, a report said.

Tomorrow's (June 24) event will focus on developing the sector and bring together participants from around 97 countries, according to the report in the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

The four-day forum will be held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad and the opening and closing ceremonies will take place at Bahrain's National Theatre.

The workshops will take place at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).

Bahrain is hoping to break the record for the most participants and holding the highest number of workshops, said e-Government Authority (eGA) chief executive Mohammed Al Qaed.

"The number of participants has last year reached around 500 from all over the world, but we already have around 700 registered. A total of 550 of those confirmed are from outside Bahrain," he said.

"We have also doubled the number of workshops to eight."

He was speaking at a Press conference held at Moevenpick Hotel which was also attended by Economic Development Board (EDB) executive director for corporate communication services Hayam Al Awadhi, Project Management Institute corporate liaison director Ahmed Naeemi and Bahrain Innovation Society president Osama Al Khaja.

The workshops will discuss business innovation, success stories in the GCC, leadership, the role of entrepreneurs in economic and social development among others.

The conference will also boost Bahrain's economy as most of the participants are staying in five and four-star hotels for around six days, said Al Qaed.

"An estimated $6 million is expected to come in directly from the forum," he said.

An exhibition will be held on the sidelines of the event while an awarding ceremony will be held at the opening.

The event's sponsors include the EDB, Telecommunication Regulatory Authority, BIC, Alba, Interior Ministry, Shura Council, parliament, Central Informatics Organisation, Bapco and General Organisation for Youth and Sport. – TradeArabia News Service