Tamkeen to start disbursing financial grants

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Tamkeen yesterday announced starting the disbursement of financial grants to sectors that still have their operations suspended to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The decision follows the directives of the Government Executive Committee chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The grants are part of Tamkeen’s Business Continuity Support Programme launched in March 2020, aimed at supporting enterprises affected by the economic repercussions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The support is expected to be extended for an additional three months starting from December 2020 until February 2021. The grants are for sectors that are yet to be authorised to resume their activities, which include the entertainment industry, alongside events and wedding halls, and cinemas.

The Chief Executive of Tamkeen, Dr Ebrahim Mohammed Janahi, commended the Kingdom’s comprehensive efforts, and frontline heroes who have played an integral role in combatting the spread of COVID-19.

Dr Janahi stressed the importance of the Government’s decisions to protect and ensure the health and safety of the citizens, all whilst supporting the sustainability of the Kingdom’s enterprises by providing them with the necessary support. He further highlighted the numerous national initiatives launched since last March, in addition to the extension of Tamkeen’s support programme, which has aimed to expand the circle of beneficiaries and support both individuals and enterprises during these unprecedented circumstances.

In March 2020, Tamkeen announced that its programmes will be redirected to provide support, as financial grants, to small and micro enterprises whose operations have been adversely affected by the global pandemic. The programme also expanded its beneficiaries to include taxi and public transport drivers, driving instructors, and kindergarten and nursery workers.