Bahrain’s DANAT appoints Safa Sharif Abdul Khaliq as CEO

The Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT) has appointed Safa Sharif Abdul Khaliq as its Chief Executive Officer, effective 31 August 2026.

Abdul Khaliq succeeds Noora Abdulrahman Jamsheer, who has led the institute since 2019. She joins DANAT from Export Bahrain, the Kingdom’s national export development agency, where she served as CEO and oversaw the organisation from its establishment through to full operational maturity.

Before joining Export Bahrain, Abdul Khaliq spent more than a decade at Tamkeen, Bahrain’s labour fund, where she most recently served as Director of the Investment Department. She previously held the role of Manager of Corporate Planning. 

She began her career in the banking sector. In addition to her executive experience, Abdul Khaliq serves on the Bahrain National SME Development Board and has represented Bahrain on several national and regional committees, including the National Committee for the World Trade Organization and the Saudi Bahraini Coordination Committee for Integrated Industries.

She holds an MBA in Project Management and a Bachelor of Business Management with a double major in Finance and Marketing. She is also a certified Key Performance Indicator (KPI) and Balanced Scorecard practitioner.

DANAT Chairman Mohamed Ahmed AlSada said Abdul Khaliq brings extensive leadership experience and a track record in institutional development, strategic growth and stakeholder engagement.

“Her appointment marks an important step in DANAT’s continued evolution as we seek to expand our international partnerships, strengthen our commercial offerings, and further elevate Bahrain’s position as the global home of natural pearls,” AlSada said.

He also thanked Jamsheer for her contribution to DANAT since 2019, noting that under her leadership the institute strengthened its international standing and Bahrain’s reputation as a centre for pearl and gemstone expertise.

Abdul Khaliq said she was honoured to join DANAT at an important stage in its development and would focus on expanding the institute’s services and partnerships, developing Bahraini talent and strengthening its position as a global centre of excellence for pearls and gemstones.

“Bahrain’s pearling heritage is a national treasure, and we will continue working to ensure it is recognised and celebrated around the world,” she said.

Established by Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (Mumtalakat) in 2017, DANAT is focused on preserving and promoting Bahrain’s pearling heritage while strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a global centre for pearl and gemstone expertise.

The institute provides laboratory services, scientific research, education and industry outreach, supporting transparency and confidence across the global pearl and gemstone sector while contributing to the development of specialised Bahraini talent.