As part of its participation in the launch of the "Smart Factories" initiative by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) will work on evaluating 15 factories using the "Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI)" methodology.

GOIC participated on Sunday, the 27th of August, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism in the Kingdom of Bahrain in the inauguration of the "Smart Factories" initiative to support the transformation of the industrial sector towards the "Fourth Industrial Revolution." This initiative is held under the patronage of His Excellency Mr. Zayed bin Rashid AlZayani, the Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The organization's participation in the initiative's launch activities is within the framework of continuous cooperation and coordination related to sustainable industrial development in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The organization will collaborate with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism to evaluate 15 factories in selected industrial sectors outlined by Bahrain's industrial strategy, using the "Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI)" methodology. This evaluation will take place in the second half of September, contributing to recommendations that facilitate the transformation of targeted labor-intensive, low-skilled factories into highly efficient automated ones. Additionally, it aims to enhance all manufacturing processes, from inputs and processing to industrial products, while aligning them with the developments of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This direct contribution is expected to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of the industrial sector at local, regional, and international levels, as well as outlining a roadmap for digital transformation and operational excellence in each targeted industrial sector.

In this context, GOIC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism in the Kingdom of Bahrain, delivered a comprehensive presentation. This presentation introduced smart factories, the process of transitioning to smart factories, automation applications, and the objectives of implementing the "Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI)" for the Fourth Industrial Revolution applications and digital maturity. It also provided a detailed explanation of the "Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI)," one of the latest international standards for measuring factory levels in terms of Fourth Industrial Revolution practices. The dimensions of evaluation for factories in the "Smart Factories" initiative, adopted by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism of the Kingdom of Bahrain, were elaborated upon.

Moreover, the organization participated in a workshop attended by several factory owners. The workshop covered an introduction to the self-assessment form, which is the first step in the assessment process, among four steps including the assessment phase. The Bahraini Ministry of Industry and Commerce will provide consultative and technical support for the self-assessment process, followed by the actual assessment by certified assessors. This is succeeded by the design phase, where a digital transformation plan is formulated, serving as the foundation for the empowerment phase. During this phase, the factory can receive support and proceed to the development phase, which involves monitoring the transformation process using performance monitoring tools and measuring indicators. The workshop saw active engagement from the participants.

It is worth mentioning that the "Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI)" was developed by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) in partnership with leading technology companies, consulting firms, industry experts, and academics, with support from the World Economic Forum (WEF). This global initiative aims to assist companies in determining how to implement Industry 4.0 to achieve maximum benefits. "SIRI" consists of a set of frameworks and tools that aid industrial companies in initiating the transition to smart industry, expanding its scope, and ensuring sustainability, regardless of the size or type of industrial activity. It provides practical knowledge about Industry 4.0, tangible benefits it can achieve, establishment maturity levels, and sustainable and evolving approaches to developing manufacturing processes.