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THE Gulf Industry Fair, currently running at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, is playing host to a number of Bahraini entrepreneurs showcasing their businesses at the Tamkeen pavilion.
They have all benefitted from Tamkeen's Enterprise Development Support Programme which aims to help them become more productive, efficient and competitive in line with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030.
The programme is aimed at stimulating growth of the private sector through support for the business community.
In its first phase 1,135 organisations benefitted. A further 1,000 are to be assisted by the Enterprise Development Support Agency, now managed by KPMG Fakhro, which has dedicated premises in Seef to facilitate the application process.
The Business Development Scheme, the Technical Assistance Scheme, the Quality Management Systems Scheme and the Growth Assistance Scheme all come under the programme.
Gulf Industry Fair participant Yahya Alansari, owner of manufacturing company Youth National Hands, has received support for showcasing products and services in exhibitions, said: "I am so glad we have something so easy and systematic as these programmes in Bahrain.
"Through the EDS I have brought an essential production machine from the US, which will increase our production output by at least 60 per cent, and give us a financial benefit in the long term.
"I was also very impressed with the procedure; the EDS Agency team sit with you and take the time to find out what you need. The whole process took a week from applying to signing, and this included a site visit to my premises."
His new machine was placed on display opening new markets to the company.
Mohammed Rajab, another entrepreneur at the event, of Al Najjar Promotion and Advertising, said: "I participated last year also through Tamkeen and I had a really positive experience with both the exhibition and the programme in general. Tamkeen encouraged us to participate which normally wouldn't be possible in the current recession."
Tamkeen's Private Sector Support senior manager Mohammed Bucheery added: "Through Gulf Industry Fair we are giving Bahraini businesses an opportunity to showcase their offerings at an international event which used to have the participation of big and mature businesses only.
"We are proud of these entrepreneurs who have worked hard and are seeking to drive a real change in their businesses through Tamkeen's support programmes, and we invite other Bahraini entrepreneurs and enterprises to come and visit our pavilion to see how they too can benefit."
The fair runs until tomorrow. For further details about the EDS Programme visit www.tamkeen.bh/edsa
