The Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa has issued directives to offer online sellers two regulation options following the government’s keenness to improve the business environment.
Chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting, HRH Prince Salman has enabled Bahrainis to start their e-stores for free under the supervision of the ministries of Labour and Social Development or Industry, Commerce and Tourism, according to the media reports.
As per the directives, the Bahrainis in the eCommerce sector are given two options to choose and the first one is to join the ‘Khetwa’ program for productive families without any fees under the supervision of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development.
The second option is to join the ‘Sijili’ program dedicated to virtual commercial activities under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. The program, launched in 2016 for Bahraini citizens only, has received remarkable responses from freelance and micro-entrepreneurs.
Under both options, Bahraini entrepreneurs will be enabled to access the financial package allocated to commercial enterprises like Tamkeen’s Business Continuity Program and competitive financial schemes.
In an aim to help retailers to continue their business during the lockdowns imposed to curb the COVID-19, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of Bahrain last year launched a ‘virtual mall’ that allows consumers to browse and shop from over 100 retailers on one site.
The portal boasts several categories for shoppers to peruse, from essential food and pharmaceuticals to clothing and beauty products. The government has ensured that the mall will continue its services even after the pandemic subsides.
