HRH Prince Salman directives provide legal alternatives for entrepreneurs and productive families who sell products online

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Senior government officials and important sectors of the community have commended the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to give citizens the option to practise commercial activities through social media.

In yesterday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, HRH Prince Salman directed to offer online sellers two regulation options; ‘Khetwa’, offered free of charge to families registered with the Ministry of Labour and Social Development; or virtual commercial registration via ‘Sijili’, following the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism’s regulations, which grants access to financial packages, including Tamkeen’s Business Continuity Program, as well as competitive financial schemes.

They agreed the initiative provided alternative solutions with more flexibility, taking into consideration, first and foremost, the dire economic and social conditions and the requirements of organisation and monitoring shouldered by the government as an executive party.

Responsible and appreciated initiative

 Shura Council Chairman Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, stressed that the directives reflect keenness to assess citizens’ needs and aspirations as well as serve their interests.

He commended the prompt response of HRH the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister to issues raised by the public by listening to constructive visions and ensuring maximum benefit from exchanging views and initiatives.

He noted that allowing online sellers to choose between “Khetwa” and “Sijili”, with the possibility to benefit from the privileges of both programmes, is considered as a responsible and appreciated initiative on the right path.

He pointed out that the move is in harmony with the proposals and visions raised by members of the Representatives Council, the project owners and the public opinion.

Catering to citizens’ needs

Representatives Council Speaker Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal stressed that the directives affirm anew the royal keenness to cater to citizens’ needs, support them and provide them with the opportunity to take part in quality projects that contribute to improving their income and living conditions.

The Speaker reiterated the council’s unflinching keenness on reaching out to citizens and catering to their needs to help them overcome all challenges, mainly in the economic and commercial field, under the comprehensive development march led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Developing businesses with legal frameworks

Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan asserted that providing legal alternatives for entrepreneurs and productive families who sell their products online reflects the government’s keenness to protect them and pave the way for them to develop their businesses within legal frameworks.

He indicated that those who choose to join the “Khatwa” programme for home-based businesses will enjoy free of charge privileges stipulated by Edict 39/2010 regulating work from home, in coordination with the relevant authorities in the Interior Ministry’s Civil Defence Directorate, Health Ministry and the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning.

He added that those who join the programme will receive a work certificate including the type of activity and information about the family, noting that the license will be renewed free of charge every year.

Opportunities for business expansion

Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani highlighted the Ministry’s constant efforts to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to expand their businesses, in line with the government’s keenness to improve the business environment according to the legal framework, without prejudice to its responsibilities towards consumers, or role in maintaining the credibility of commercial transactions.

He pointed out that it also prepares them to transform their enterprises into commercial institutions and win the confidence of consumers in them, he said, noting that the ultimate goal of such initiatives is to support Bahraini youth competencies through creating a stimulating and organised economic environment for them to enter the market, in addition to supporting creativity within fair and competitive rules for everyone.

Providing citizens decent life

Member of the Council of Representatives, MP Ammar Qambar, said the directives prove HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s great interest in the citizens, close follow-up on everything related to them and strenuous efforts to provide the requirements of a decent life for them.

MP Qambar also paid tribute to the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister for his great cooperation in the matter.

Caring for people in all situations

Bahrain’s Businesswomen’s Society said the decision is in the interest of citizens and micro-entrepreneurs, especially those who practise freelance professions through social media.

“Bahrain’s wise leadership always demonstrates its bias towards the people in all situations, and the society has followed up on the demands of many businesswomen on social media to cancel the fees that were imposed on them for practising freelance commercial activities through social media,” Ahlam Janahi, president of the society, said.

“The society supports the organisation of professions and businesses in general, especially the sale of food and cooking, which must be under the supervision and follow-up of the authorities concerned in the interest of the health and safety of citizens, taking into account the economic and social conditions of the owners of some Bahraini businesses, and always focusing on that the primary goal of these initiatives is to support competent Bahrainis to create a stimulating and organised economic environment within an ecosystem that supports innovation according to competitive and fair frameworks.”