Labour Ministry welcomes applications to start small or micro-enterprises in Bahrain

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Are you looking forward to venturing into the online world with a homebased business? If then, now is the time. Bahrain is all set to bring a boom into the economy by holding the hands of small and micro-enterprises.

Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, the Labour and Social Development Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Family Microfinance House, yesterday said that the ministry is open to receive applications to start small or micro-enterprises in cooperation with the Khatwa Programme.

“The aim is to enable families, job seekers, widows and others to develop their skills and improve their living standards through ensuring a sustainable income,” said Humaidan. And backing the move is none other than His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The scheme provides two options to start selling online. First is Khatwa, which is offered free of charge to families registered with the Ministry of Labour and Social Development. “Khatwa” Project for Home Projects provides all needs and facilities required for families and individuals to start their business projects from home.

Those registered with the Labour Ministry’s “Khatwa” programme for home-based projects are entitled to benefit from the Family Microfinance House’s services that provide finance to entrepreneurs and productive families to empower them economically and support them in establishing their productive projects.

The second is through virtual commercial registration via ‘Sijili’. The deal, as per the regulations of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, provides access to financial packages, the Business Continuity Programme of Tamkeen, and other competitive financial schemes.

The minister was chairing the first general assembly and board meeting of FMH in 2021, held remotely, with Deputy Chairman Dr Mustafa Al-Sayed, CEO, Dr Khalid Ateeq and board members.

Humaidan asserted that FMH would continue providing financial and non-financial services to entrepreneurs and micro productive families registered with the Khatwa programme for home-based businesses.

Established in 2009, the Family Microfinance House (previously the Family Bank) is a government-owned Islamic micro-finance bank in Bahrain.

It aims to provide microfinance to low-income individual and businesses in the kingdom.