The Kingdom of Bahrain will extend the government support program for businesses hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic for three more months, according to the state-run news agency.
The extension of the program, which will run from June until August 2021, comes in the implementation of the directive from King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and in line with the Crown Prince’s plan to support sectors most affected by the pandemic, the report added.
The financial and economic stimulus package from the country’s Labour Fund “Tamkeen” is looking forward to cutting down the economic impact of the pandemic while maintaining sustainable economic development.
According to the report, support for the following sectors has been announced, Children’s play and leisure centers, daycare centers, cinemas, gyms and fitness studios, salons and spas, cafes and restaurants (that are reliant on dine-in services), wedding halls, retail shops (non-food items), travel and tourism agencies and events planning companies.
The package will also cover the salaries of taxicab drivers, bus drivers and driving instructors for an additional 3-months. More details on the sectors supported are available on Tamkeen’s website.
Applications are open to all enterprises within these sectors, regardless of their previous application status. Enterprises can apply through Tamkeen’s portal from June 27 until July 11. Applications will be evaluated, and the level of support awarded will be determined by the degree to which the enterprise has been affected by restrictions or closure.
Earlier, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued a decree, allowing paying salaries of Bahrainis, working in companies affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, from the country’s state unemployment fund. The salaries will be paid fully for the first month and 50 percent for the second and third months from the fund in a gesture of support.
