Safa Sharif Abdul Khaliq

Safa Sharif Abdul Khaliq has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (Danat), effective August 31, 2026, succeeding Noora Jamsheer, who has led the organisation since 2019. With over 17 years of experience in developing and supporting initiatives that enhance the economic environment, Abdul Khaliq brings a track record in institutional development and strategic growth to one of Bahrain's flagship organisations.

Abdul Khaliq joins Danat from Export Bahrain, the Kingdom's national export development agency, where she served as Chief Executive Officer and led the organisation from its establishment through to full operational maturity. During her tenure at Export Bahrain, by the end of 2024, Export Bahrain recorded 36% year-on-year growth, surpassing $1 billion in export value. Prior to that, she spent more than a decade at Tamkeen, most recently as Director of the Investment Department, having previously served as Manager of Corporate Planning. She has also worked in various leadership positions at Bahrain Islamic Bank and Bahrain Development Bank, and began her career in the banking sector.

Abdul Khaliq holds a Master's degree in Project Management from the University of Malaysia and a Bachelor's degree in Management from Bangalore University in India, as well as an Executive Certificate on Innovation and Strategy from Harvard Business School. She serves on the Bahrain National SME Development Board and has represented the Kingdom on several national and regional committees. She was recognized by Forbes among the Middle East's 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen in 2025, and was one of the first women selected from the GCC region for the prestigious CIPE-Stanford University's Leadership Academy for Development Programme.

Career History

• Chief Executive Officer, Export Bahrain (2022–2026)
• Director of Investment Department, Tamkeen
• Manager of Corporate Planning, Tamkeen
• Leadership roles at Bahrain Islamic Bank and Bahrain Development Bank
• Banking sector roles (career start)

What Abdul Khaliq could bring to her role at Danat: Abdul Khaliq's extensive experience in institutional leadership, export promotion, and economic development positions her well to advance Danat's international expansion and commercial offerings. Her proven ability to scale organizations from inception to operational maturity—demonstrated at Export Bahrain—suggests she is equipped to elevate Danat's global presence as a world-leading natural pearl and gemstone verification institute. Her background in SME financing and stakeholder engagement, combined with her recognition as a powerful business leader, indicates she can strengthen Danat's international partnerships while promoting Bahrain's heritage and natural pearl industry on the global stage.