Tamkeen relaunches support programmes

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Tamkeen is gradually resuming its programmes by reopening its application window for the Business Development programme within its new edition.

This comes as part of the labour fund’s ongoing efforts to support enterprises in the private sector and develop the human capital in line with the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Applications for the Business Development programme is scheduled to reopen on Sunday, 21 February, and will focus on the growth and sustainability of the enterprises.

Tamkeen chairman Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa outlined the improvements of the relaunched support programmes.

“The improvements came as part of the recently announced strategy during Tamkeen’s Consultation Forum,” said Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa. “

According to the feedback received from the forum, it emphasised the need to add more flexibility to the support programmes while also increasing the quality and performance of the services, and to encourage enterprises to adopt more digital and innovative solutions to achieve further expansion and sustainability.”

He added that the most prominent changes within the programme will focus on supporting enterprises that are dynamic and in line with the current changes, and have objective-based development goals, to further encourage enterprises to adopt innovative solutions and improve their services.

Besides, the changes include supporting virtual CRs and supporting the wages of Bahraini employees.

The Tamkeen head ensured that its strategic plan takes into consideration the results of the previous stage to explore the current needs of the private sector and gradually work towards addressing the challenges of its budget due to the impact caused by the coronavirus pandemic, as the budget was directly linked to the private sector fees that were halted during the pandemic.

Tamkeen Chief Executive Dr Ebrahim Mohammed Janahi emphasised that the new updates will focus on the effectiveness and sustainability across all sectors, including micro-enterprises and small and medium enterprises.

“It will also include virtual CRs where the owners can benefit from the allocated financial grants to support their wages. Enterprises will also be able to apply for services from virtual CRs which are now considered part of the Business Development programme, given that they’re considered service providers.”

Dr Janahi added that the human capital support within the Business Development programme is an integral step that supports the development of Bahraini individuals, especially since it encourages enterprises to employ them which in the long run contributes towards the success and development of their business.

 The support includes different fields including Machinery and Equipment, Marketing and Branding, ICT, Business Consulting, Quality Management, Accounting and Audit, Exhibition Participation and Cloud Computing provided that the support expenditures covers up to 50% of the value.