Only Bahrainis can run ebiz, confirms Al Zayani

Manama : It has been recently confirmed by Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani that “only Bahrainis can run legalised online businesses.”

The confirmation came when the Minister briefed the media about the Ministry’s latest service Virtual Commercial Records (VCRs).

VCR allows entrepreneurs, who are operating commercial activities from multiple locations, to do business legally without the need of an actual address or commercial records, according to the Ministry.

Minister Al Zayani said VCRs would open new doors for Bahraini citizens to practise their home-based businesses without being obliged to have an actual establishment. 

“The VCRs will only be granted to individuals who own the businesses and not companies. It could be granted to Bahrainis who are running their businesses as part-time or full-time jobs,” the Minister said.

“We still have no existing numbers as we haven’t started yet, but I expect it to succeed, as we have many locals utilising electronic means to run their businesses such as professional photography, web designing or other technical fields that depend mostly on personal skills,” he added.

Explaining further, Al Zayani said, “These individuals could be integrated within the local labour market without bearing the expenses of forming companies, rents, employees and capitals that are usually required to obtain a regular commercial record. We’ll start with 12 activities to be included within VCRs and we will look into adding more activities in the near future.”

“It’s a starting point for individuals to begin developing and practising their skills and talents, before they can shift to the next level and create actual establishments, hire and train people,” he said.

Earlier, the Ministry had stated that “this initiative comes to cope with the ongoing developments in the field of electronic trade through websites and social media,” adding that “it will have a positive impact on the Kingdom of Bahrain’s economy.”