Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism
FAQ
Registration
Requirements can be found in Sijilat web site for each activity www.sijilat.bh
Its activities that are of similar kind or nature.
Activities that require an office (an import and export activity with a service activity)
You can search in the CR search – it will show you the registered commercial name.
To register specialized partnership, or foreign branch or individual establishments, as per below conditions:
- An applicant are required to be listed under the Auditor’s Register in the Ministry of Industry and commerce.
- A period of five years shall have elapsed from the date of his registration in the Auditors Register at the Ministry of Industry and commerce and shall have practiced for his own account as an auditor at any licensed audit firm. Members of internationally recognized societies of chartered accountants (CPA, ACCA, CA) with a twelve-year experience in the audit field inside or outside the Kingdom of Bahrain shall be exempted from the second condition.
- In the case of licensed foreign audit offices, each of them shall have an operational office in Bahrain under the responsibility of one of the partners who is registered in the Auditors Register at the Ministry of Industry and commerce.
- Bahraini or GCC / USA citizens.
- Holder of B.Sc. degree in accounting or business administration with specialization in accounting from one of the universities or high institutes recognized by the relevant authority or any equivalent certificate recognized by such authority, the study duration should not be less than 3 years.
- Has a period of practical experience of no less than Two years in accounting or auditing
- Working on a full-time basis employment in this practice and not working in the government or the private sector.
Inspection
The Inspection Directorate is responsible for monitoring all types of commercial registers. The main goal of inspection is to provide a secure and transparent commercial marketplace, in which businesses grow and thrive. To achieve this, the Inspection Directorate imposes its control by1 inspecting commercial & industrial establishments and enforcing legal action against violators while enabling businesses to correct minor violations.
The Inspection Directorate also works to provide business owners with information and instructions to enable them to follow the ways and mechanisms to implement a fair-trading System that support and enhance cooperation between the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and business owners to create an environment free from violations The directorate also contributes in raising public awareness regarding the importance of implementing laws and decisions, and it exercises this role alongside its monitoring role through periodic inspections and inspection campaigns across all regions of the country, in this regards, the directorate coordinates with other concerned Directorates within the Ministry or with other authorities.
The Directorate also receives complaints from official authorities and public, where it verifies them, and implement the applicable procedures.
The Inspection Directorate provides inspection services under one roof for all Directorates in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism in accordance with the laws in force in the ministry.
The Inspection Directorate receives complaints through various communication channels, requiring a copy of the supporting documents attached to the complaint, through:
Call Centre: 80008001
Email:
The National Suggestions & Complaints System (Tawasul):
The signboard should ensure the following:
• Clearly visible and placed on the storefront.
• The displayed commercial name must be identical to the commercial name licensed in the register certificate.
• The registration number & branch must be displayed
No, in all cases the licensed commercial name must be displayed on the storefront.
No, the holder of the commercial registration must obtain the necessary approvals and licenses from the competent authorities to practice the activity, it is prohibited beginning any new business activities prior the required approvals, licenses and a registration certificate.
No, as it is considered as engaging in business activity without license.
It is an agreement between the concerned directorate and the violator who committed in violation of the provisions of Decree-Law No. (27) of 2015 by offering reconciliation to the violator and facilitate the settlement in terms of paying 1,000 Bahraini Dinars as an alternative measure to Public Prosecution.
An Administrative Closure is a legal action against an entity by closing it for a specified period due to performing unlicensed business activity, and this procedure will be applied if the entity despite a written warning, fails to comply or correct the violation.
The judicial officer status granted to the specialist in Inspection Directorate enables them to carry out all necessary procedures to gather the evidence to examine the extent of the commercial or industrial establishment’s compliance with the provisions of the Laws and Regulations, including entering establishment’s place of business and any other related places, and obtain the necessary information for the purpose of inspecting, verifying and gathering information and recording violations and filling reports.
Yes, all the laws related to commercial trade stipulated that the commercial registration number and the branch must be mentioned on the signboard, correspondence, receipts, publications ... etc
Apply for “Change the commercial address” in Sijilat system provided that the new address is identical to the physical business address.
Yes, all the laws related to commercial trade stipulated that the commercial registration number and the branch must be mentioned on the signboard, correspondence, receipts, publications ... etc
Yes, it's a violation, you can easily validate and hallmark the jewellery at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce
Selling or displaying of jewellery attached with cultured pearls is considered a violation.
- Gold.
- Silver.
- Platinum.
Yes, all imported jewellery must be hallmarked by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
It's a measure of the fineness or purity of metals expressed in parts per thousand
24, 22, 21, 18, 14 Karats.
- Gold:
- Standard (22) karats means 916,6 shares or part of 1000 shares or part.
- Standard (21) karats means 875 shares or part of 1000 shares or part.
- Standard (18) karats means 750 shares or part of 1000 shares or part.
- Standard (14) karats means 585 shares or part of 1000 shares or part.
- Gold is considered pure and pure if it is of a standard of (24) karats or 1000 shares or one part of a thousand.
- Silver:
- 925 shares or part of every 1,000 shares or part.
- 830 shares or part of every 1000 shares or part.
- 950 shares or part of every 1,000 shares or part.
- Platinum:
- 950 shares or part of every 1,000 shares or part
The transfer or alteration of a hallmark is an offence punishable by law.
The merchant shall disclose the non-precious materials that are included as part of the Jewellery with the proper documentation in the sales receipt.
- Commercial name and registration number.
- Buyer's name.
- Date of purchase.
- Article description
- Karats (Fineness of the Jewellery).
- Total weight of the precious metal used in the Jewellery.
- If the Jewellery contains diamonds, its weight and purity must be mentioned and separated from the metal.
Yes, it requires a prior permit from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce
It is not considered a violation, but it must be accompanied by a receipt issued by the concerned person stating the description of the pearl and its nature.
- Commercial Name
- Commercial Registration Number
- Client’s Name
- Description of the goods in terms of type, color, shape, number, and weight, separated from any metal
- Date of Purchase.
- Documenting a report of the violation.
- Seizure of counterfeit jewellery.
- Transferring the violating Jewellery to the relevant department for testing and standard compliance verification.
- Reporting of seizure and transferring the violation to the Public Prosecution.
- The Jewellery shall be retained until judgment.
- After the final verdict has been decided, the Testing and Metrology Directorate tests the artifacts, if proven that it is one of the legal karats it will be hallmarked, otherwise it will be broken.
Forein Trade and Industrial Property
A trademark is a sign which distinguishes the goods and services of one trader from those of others. A trademark sign includes, for example, words, logos, pictures, or a combination of these.
An application for registration of a trademark can be applied through “Industrial Property e-Services” website:
Anyone who has a business or industry in the Kingdom of Bahrain or any of the member countries of the Paris Union or countries in which citizens enjoy national treatment under bilateral agreements or international force in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
You can register trademarks which are not yet in use as well as trademarks which are already in use.
Apply directly through “Industrial Property e-Services" website for citizens or residents of the Kingdom of Bahrain, who have a commercial or industrial facility in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Applying through law firms or accredited legal Agents specialties in the field of industrial property in Kingdom of Bahrain, and that of the citizens or residents in the Kingdom of Bahrain who have a business or industry in the Kingdom of Bahrain, or both has the facility commercial or industrial in the member countries of the Paris Union or countries in which citizens enjoy national treatment under bilateral agreements or international force in the Kingdom of Bahrain
The trademark is registered for ten years and can then be renewed every ten years.
You have the right to use a registered trademark in relation to the goods or services for which it is registered. You also have the right to take legal action against anyone who uses the same or a similar trademark on the same or similar goods or services.
An official Imitation Complaint can be applied through “Industrial Property e-Services” website:
- The trademark/patent/industrial design owner, who must be resident in Bahrain.
- The authorized commercial agent for the rights holder.
- The Industrial Property registered agent.
- The commercial agent residing in the Kingdom of Bahrain if he is authorized by the owner of the right to pursue the infringement, that is to have a comprehensive mandate to follow such cases, or have a letter signed by the right owner or;
- Authorized to benefit from the owner of the right if the contract includes follow-up infringement
- If the owner is resident outside the Kingdom of Bahrain, he must be represented in the complaint by one of the above mentioned, and may not represent himself in the complaint.
- A power of attorney or a certified letter from the owner of the trademark/patent/industrial design in the Arabic language only.
- The complainant should submit pictures or specimens of both the imitation of the trademark/patent/industrial design and the original ones.
- The complainant should verify with the Industrial Property Directorate that (a) the trademark/patent/industrial design has been registered and that (b) the registration has not expired.
A patent shall be granted to any invention which is new, involves an inventive step, and is industrially applicable.
A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention which may be a product or a process that provides a new way of doing something or offers a new technical solution to a problem.
Patent protection means that the invention cannot be commercially made, used, distributed, imported, or sold by others without the patent owner's consent.
Patent applications should be submitted through “Industrial Property e-Services” website:
- Submit Patent Application through “Industrial Property e-Services" website: https://service.moic.gov.bh/ipd
- Upload all the necessary documents as listed on the website.
- Pay the fee online (BD270 for individuals/BD540 for companies).
20 years from the day of the patent’s grant.
An industrial design is any composition of lines and colours or any three-dimensional form, whether or not associated with colours.
- It must be novel and filed independently.
- It is applicable in industry and craft and gives a special appearance to an industrial or craft product.
- It has not yet been revealed to the public in the Kingdom of Bahrain or elsewhere by any means.
The protection period for an industrial design is ten years from the date of filing the application for registration thereof in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The protection may be extended for a further period of five years upon application by the rights holder within the last year of the protection period.
- Submit Industrial Design Application through “Industrial Property e-Services" website: https://service.moic.gov.bh/ipd
- Attach all the necessary documents as listed in the form.
- Pay the fee (BD40).
No. the Bahrain-US Free Trade Agreement does not have an expiry date.
Please contact Directorate of Foreign Trade & Industrial Property on:
Tel:
Fax:
Email:
Foreign trade statistics of the Kingdom of Bahrain are published by the Central Informatics Organization and can be found at the Bahrain Open Date Portal:
Foreign Trade & Industrial Property Directorate
-Tel:
- Fax:
(+973) 17532090
- Email:
(Industrial Property Related services)
- Tel:
(+973) 17574830
(+973) 17574923
(+973) 17574832
- Fax:
(+973) 17536479
- Email:
Commercial Attache' in Geneva
- Tel:
(+4122) 7580457
- Fax:
(+4122) 7580437
- Email:
Testing and Metrology
1. Assaying & hallmarking of Precious Metals articles.
2. Market Surveillance.
3. Technical support to local jewellery sector.
4. Consultation.
5. Educating the public and trade.
6. prepare and study standards, technical regulations and conformity assessments procedures.
7. Control imported and locally manufactured products to ensure the compliance with the technical regulations and the safety of their users.
8. Providing calibration services & verification of weighing, length and other measuring tools and instruments under legal metrology.
- Individual customers.
- Jewellers.
- Jewellry manufacturers.
- Jewelry importers.
- Products importers.
- Local and international manufacturing Companies and factories.
- Companies and shops.
- Consulting companies which provide ISO certifications and consultations.
BTMD regulates many consumer products to ensure that products are safe and comply with the requirements set out in the relevant regulations:
- Motor Vehicles
- Vehicle Tires
- Motorcycles
- Motorcycle Tires
- Electrical Appliances and Equipment (Safety Requirements)
- Children's Toys
- Automotive Batteries
- Automotive Spare Parts
- White Portland Cement
- Portland Cement
- Non-Directional House Hold Lamps
- Air Conditioners (Efficiency Requirements)
- Weighing Scales, Weights, Measuring Tapes and Meters
- Engine Oil
- Plastic Bags
- E-Nicotine Products
BTMD grants ISO activities licenses for businesses using ISO Standards (consulting and certification) for different ISO Fields (i.e. ISO 9001, 14001, 27001 22000, etc.). For further information, you can also contact the Testing and Metrology Directorate office:
Tel: (+973) 17574909
Fax: (+973) 17530730
Email:
The Testing and Metrology Directorate provides information required and sells copies of National Standards, Gulf Standards (GSO) through Bahrain standards store:
https://bsmd.www.moic.gov.bh/store/
. In addition to international Standards (ISO), British Standards (BSI), and International Electrotechnical Commission Standards (IEC).The purchasing section provides the scope of and information required prior to your purchase. Prices are given in Bahraini Dinars (according to the exchange rate).
For further information, you can also contact the Testing and Metrology Directorate office:
Tel: (+973) 17574909
Fax: (+973) 17530730
Email:
The metrology department within the BTMD conducts periodic verification of weighing and length tools and instruments under legal metrology. Verification and hallmarking of (electronic balances, self-indication, spring, platform, weighbridges, beam) takes place every year. Verification and hallmarking of balances with base and pans, weights, and solid liner measures take place every two years. In addition, BTMD offers calibration services for weighing and length tools for industrial companies. Customers interested in these services should contact the BTMD office:
Tel: (+973) 17574899
Fax: (+973) 17530730
Email:
Gold, silver, and platinum.
- Gold: 22Ct – 916 ppt.
- Gold 21Ct – 875 ppt.
- Gold: 18 Ct – 750 ppt.
- Gold: 14Ct – 585 ppt.
- Silver: 925 ppt.
- Silver: 830 ppt.
- Platinum: 950 ppt.
- Gold: Block hallmark consists of Kingdom of Bahrain logo, plus fineness degree number in part per thousand.
- Silver: Block Hallmark consists of Delmon head sign, plus fineness degree number in part per thousand.
- Platinum: Block consists of Camel sign, plus fineness degree number in part per thousand.
- Assaying & Hallmarking of the local precious metals articles: 1-3 working days in the normal working circumstances.
- Assaying & Hallmarking of the Imported precious metals articles: 1-5 working days in the normal working circumstances.
- Assaying & Hallmarking of the Special requested precious metals articles: 1-7 working days in the normal working circumstances.
You can refer to SLA (service level agreement) document for more details.
Completion of testing and hallmarking services within one working day.
- Attendance of the beneficiary of the service in person or by his representative to the Directorate of Testing and Metrology.
- Fill in the application form and ensuring reading the rules and the conditions carefully.
- Submission of the gold to the reception with the application form.
Only online payment is accepted. You can visit MOICT official website
No, it is banned by law. However, you can purchase cultured pearls from outside Bahrain for personal use only.
No, the directorate does not have such a service.
Jewelry exhibitions can be held after obtaining prior authorization from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism.
Both imported pearls and stones of value should be carried out from the customs port to the licensed laboratory (DANAT) by authorized carrier company that complied with customs requirements.
The laboratory test certificate issued by an authorized laboratory is the guarantee for the origin of the purchased pearls.
Pearl and gemstones can be certificated at (Danat) the authorized laboratory in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
When selling precious metals, pearls and gemstones rather were individual or mounted on jewelry, they must be accompanied by a receipt issued by the seller to the buyer.
The receipt issued by the seller to the buyer shall include the following:
1. The seller’s name and commercial register number (CR No.).
2. Customer’s name.
3. Date of purchase/Sale.
4. Description of article type.
5. Hallmark karat of precious metal article.
6. Total weight of the precious metal in article.
7. Weight of pearls and gemstones mounted in the precious metal article.
8. Name of stones, colour and any treatment if evident.
9. In case of the article contains diamond, the weight and clarity grade of the diamond must be mentioned in the receipt.
All jewelers are obliged to issue receipt. Non issuance of the sales receipt leads to take the necessary legal procedures stated in the provisions of the laws and orders related to the control of precious metals and gemstones.
Ministry of Industry and Commerce
Bahrain Financial Harbour – Harbour Gate – 3rd Floor
Directorate of Testing and Metrology
Ministry of Industry and Commerce
Bahrain Financial Harbour – Harbour Gate – 3rd Floor
Directorate of Testing and Metrology
Industrial Development
According to GCC common industrial law, no industrial project may be established unless an industrial license is issued for it.
Applicant applies in sijilat via the link (www.sijilat.bh) following the below steps:
- Filling the requested information after selecting the industrial activity.
- The initial approval is issued after reviewing the application within a maximum of 5 working days from the fulfilling all required data.
- The industrial license is Issued and is valid for one year, entitling the owner to start implementing the project, after getting the relevant entities approvals in the Kingdom through sijilat.
After getting their approvals, an industrial license is issued in accordance to the unified GCC layout, which entitles the owner to start project implementation.
It is valid as long as the application in Sijilat System valid.
It is a non-objection issued from Industrial Development Directorate to allow the project owner complete the application procedure and seek other government entities approvals.
No, it is a non-objection issued from Industrial Development Directorate to allow the project owner complete the application procedure and seek other government entities approvals in preparation for issuing the industrial license.
You must apply in
for changing the address, then get the approval of the concerned entities on the new address and then the Industrial license will be issued with the new address.
Follow same procedure as obtaining a new industrial license.
You must apply in
for changing partners and get the approval of the concerned entities. Then the Industrial license will be issued with the new partners.
It is valid for one year and can be renewed.
The Industrial License will be automatically renewed with Commercial Registration renewal.
14 days
The industrial registration is an obligation of the owners of industrial projects according to GCC common industrial law. The industrial registration certificate shall be presented to the official entities inside and outside Kingdom of Bahrain.
Factories should apply for the industrial registration within 60 days following the commencement.
Licensed and operating factories must submit an application for Registration within 60 days following the actual production commencement, using the link (
) following the below steps:
- Filling the needed information in the system.
- The directorate staff conducts a site visit to the factory to assess actual operation, confirm manufactured products and their conformance to data and documents mentioned in the application .
- The Industrial Development Directorate shall issue an industrial registration certificate for the industrial project valid for one year.
- The certificate of registration in the industrial register must be renewed every one year.
The expiry date is synchronized with the commercial registration expiry date.
Apply for renewal of Industrial Registration certificate through the link (
) by following the below steps:
1- Fill the needed information in the online form.
2- The directorate staff conducts a site visit to the factory to assess actual operation, confirm manufactured products and their conformance to data and documents mentioned in the application.
3 - The Industrial Development Directorate shall issue the industrial registration certificate for the industrial project. The expiry date is synchronized with the commercial registration expiry date.
60 - 90 days
Exemption covers machinery, equipment, spare parts, raw materials, semi-manufactured materials, and packaging materials required for immediate production.
Applicant applies through the industrial services system (
- Filling the duty exemption application along with the required attachments.
- The exemption application shall be submitted at least 4 months prior importing machinery, equipment, raw materials, Semi-manufactured raw materials, spare parts, and packaging materials required for immediate industrial production process. in the case of new applications, and 4 months before expiration of the exemption for existing applications that are exempted from custom duties.
- A letter will be addressed to the Custom Affairs/ Ministry of Interior, upon the request of the applicant to clear the shipments under insurance/deposit basis, during the period of application process.
- The application will be evaluated along with a site visit to the industrial establishment, in preparation for submitting it to the Committee of Protection and Support of National Industries.
- All applications will be reviewed by the re-structured National Industry Protection and Support Committee pursuant to Edict 4/2020 issued by the Prime Minister.
- His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Commerce and Tourism shows the recommendations of National Industry Protection and Support Committee to the Ministerial committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance.
-
A decision is issued by the committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance to His Excellency the Minister of Interior to direct customs affairs for implementation.
- The exemption resolution will be circulated to Customs Affairs for implementations.
- The Industrial Development Directorate will forward the exemption decision and its duration to the applicants.
The best time to submit the application is at least four months prior importing machinery, equipment, raw materials, Semi-manufactured raw materials, spare parts, and packaging materials required for immediate industrial production process.
The best time is to submit the application at least four months before expiration.
It is valid for two years, subject to renewal.
Apply for Duty exemption renewal.
A letter will be addressed to the Custom Affairs/ Ministry of Interior, upon the request of the applicant to clear shipments under insurance/deposit basis, during the process.
It is a mark granted to National factories licensed by MOICT where items produced are made of 35%* or more of domestic content. This mark is given to catalyze Bahraini industry through supporting local production and bringing consumers closer to the National product.
National industrial entities within the Kingdom of Bahrain.
One year such term should be in line with the entity’s industrial registration validity
There are no fees for made in Bahrain mark
- The factory must hold an active license and industrial registration.
- The domestic content must be equivalent to 35% or higher in the National products made by the entity.
- Registering via the MoIC website.
- Applicant applies through the industrial services system (
)
- Click on the service and sign in using the electronic key (Advanced level eKey).
- Select the factory that is desired to grant the Mark from the list.
- Fill in the required information and upload the required documents.
- Review the application by the staff and ensure that it meets the requirements
- The made in Bahrain mark is issued and its valid for one year.
1 to 5 working days
• Tamkeen:
- Utilizing marketing support to cover the expenses of product design according to the brand identity of "Made in Bahrain" mark. (for packaging and
marketing printable).
- Utilizing the support to participate in local and international exhibitions.
- Promoting "Made in Bahrain" mark via various media channels,
workshops and service centers.
•Export Bahrain:
- Export Financing Solution
-Export Credit Insurance Solution
-Export Shipment Solution
-Market Intelligence "Trade Map"
-Readiness Assessment Tool
-Export Training
-Export Workshops
•UNIDO:
- ITPO affiliate expert will be provided
•Major Markets Support to National Products Is resembled in paving the way for small and medium factories to offer their national products in major markets (hypermarkets & supermarkets) by the following means:
- Allocating specified spaces to display their national products.
- Presenting them with the needed facilities.
- Diverting the attention of consumers who shop in major markets toward buying the offered national product
- Diversifying income sources and heightening the contribution of non-oil sectors in the National Economy.
- Supporting the National product by instilling 3 main principles: fairness, sustainability, and competitiveness.
- Bringing consumers closer to the National product and building confidence in local industrial capabilities.
- Substituting the imported products with the National product.
- Promoting the National product in the local, regional and international markets.
- Encouraging factories to produce premium products of high quality and value.
- The Mark can be printed on, stuck to hung, or engraved on the various outer packaging or wrapping of the registered products.
- The Mark can be used in all marketing, advertisement and promoting activities and
content directly related to the registered products.
- The Mark CANNOT be used for nonregistered products.
- The Mark is not to be adjusted, added to or manipulated in any of its components or colors in any manner.
- The Mark is not to be used with issuing any general information on the company or the factory or with regard to any nonregistered products.
- The space around the Mark should not be filled with any other Marks or brands pertinent to the company or the factory or any other icons.
- The Mark is not to be used as part of the company or entity’s brand.
- The Mark is not to be used without obtaining the relevant certificate on the basis of achieving the required 35% or more of domestic content in the produced items.
Industrial Areas
- Completed application form
- Applicant ID card & passport (copy)
- Provide a detailed business plan including preliminary site development plan
- For existing Industrial Projects provide a copy of the commercial registration and pictures of the facility and products
- Audited accounts for the last 3 years (External audit)
- Evidence of finance
User Manual - en.pdf
The application will take 11 working days. (If the application is complete and covering all criteria required)
- Al-Mazara’a Industrial Park
- Sitra Industrial Park
- Ma'ameer Industrial Park
- Mina Salman Industrial Park
- Hafeera Industrial Park
- Al-Lhaasay Industrial Park
- Salman Industrial City
A. Hidd Industrial Area
B. Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP)
- Industrial Activities 1 BD/m2/year
- Industrial Activities on sea-shore 1.5 BD/m2/year
- Logistics Activities 4 BD/m2/year
- Logistics Activities on sea-shore 6 BD/m2/year
- Commercial Activities 9 BD/m2/year
- 25 years if industrial
- 15 years if logistic or commercial
- Evaluate the Industrial Land Applications.
- Preparing and singing the Industrial Plot Lease Agreements.
- Reviewing Industrial plots tenants' requests which include adding/removing activities, additional area, removing violations, labor accommodation requests, lease renewals, and any other application.
- Administering the Industrial Areas and supervising the tenants
- Processing survey certificate requests and Issuing Industrial plot survey certificate.
- Approving plans and designs of the Manufacturing facilities and issuing No Objections to obtain a building permit.
- Provide technical support:
- Technical support in the allocation period (prior to singing the lease agreement)
- Engineering support in the construction phase
- Support during the lease period
- Planning, maintaining, and managing all industrial areas, and developing the infrastructure and superstructure in the Industrial areas.
- 100 % Foreign ownership for Industrial Activities
- Favorable Tax Environment ( Bahrain offers 0% corporate income tax or personal income tax.(
- Duty free trade agreements across middle east markets
- Free trade agreement with the USA
- Duty free imports of raw material and equipment’s
- Industrial land at competitive rental rates
Please visit the following link to view the articles of Decree Law No. 26 of 2015 on the amendment of some provisions of Decree Law No. 28 of 1999 and the Decree Law No. 28 of 1999 on the establishment and organization of Industrial Areas
Decree Law No. 26 of 2015 on the amendment of some provisions of Decree Law No. 28 of 1999
SME's Development
- Creating a business-friendly entrepreneurship environment.
- Coordination between the relevant entities involved in the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs.
- Participating in training programmes for entrepreneurs.
- Reviewing small and medium-sized enterprises’ current status and highlighting any issues in order to coordinate with the related entities and find appropriate solutions.
- Business Incubators and Accelerators activity licensing and following up on their performance.
- Incubated startups licensing in the incubators.
- Supervising the process of registering SMEs in the SMEs registration system.
- Issuing the SMEs classification certificate.
- With government support and the encouragement of The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism, the private sector has invested in the business of incubators and accelerators, which are considered important and effective mechanisms for the development of start-ups. MOICT has launched a business incubators and accelerators licence.
- Business incubators and accelerators provide support services to entrepreneurs and start-ups for a specific incubation period, such as joint work areas, guidance, mentoring, marketing, business planning, finance, and public relations.
Two Years
It is an online system that allows you to obtain the “SMEs Classification Certificate” which is an official certificate approved by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism which indicates the size of your enterprise.
- Visit MoICT website and access the SMEs Page.
- Select SMEs Registration System.
- Select SMEs registration service and log in using your E-Key.
- Select the branch to be classified.
- Fill in the information and submit the required documents.
- You will be notified via emails after submission and once the application is approved.
After approval, revisit the application page to view/print the classification certificate.
- Micro Enterprises:
- Business Bank statement for the last 3 months, or
- Annual Audited Financial Report - Small Enterprises:
- Business Bank statement for the last 3 months and In-house Financial Report, or
- Annual Audited Financial Report - Medium Enterprises:
- Annual Audited Financial Report
- 10% advantage in the biddings for the Government Tenders. *
- 10% advantage in the biddings for the auctions of public utilities that are held within the establishments of government departments. *
- Benefit from the allocation of 20% of the value of government procurements and tenders to small and medium enterprises. *
- The services and programs of "export Bahrain" including funding support, credit and training.
- Benefit from the future initiatives of the SMEs Development Board.
* In accordance to the Cabinets resolutions (2416-06) & (2516-04)
A response or change of application status is made within one to two working days.
- Coordinating the work of the SMEs Development Board, which aims to the development of startups as well as SMEs and increase their numbers to create more jobs and contribute to the GDP.
- Set and develop mechanisms and plans to develop and encourage SMEs and business incubators to increase their contribution to the national economy.
- Conduct research and studies related to SMEs as well as business incubators and provide recommendations in this regard.
- Set and develop standards, requirements and classifications for SMEs and business incubators according to the best international practices.
- Follow-up on the implementation of strategic initiatives and support programs for SMEs in coordination with the concerned bodies.
- Conduct periodic follow-up for the KPIs of SMEs including GDP, exports, and employment, and evaluate it based on its KPIs.
- Preparing a database for SMEs in the Kingdom of Bahrain and follow up on its financial and operational position according to the relevant rules and regulations.
- Provide guidance and support for SMEs and entrepreneurs through consultation and qualify them through various developmental and training plans.
- Follow-up on SMEs related matters to identify problems and obstacles and develop appropriate solutions in coordination with the concerned bodies.
- Simplifying and deregulate procedures that regulates SMEs entrepreneurs to create a motivated business environment for this sector.
-
Cooperate and coordinate with the relevant local, regional and international organization to prepare and present seminars, conferences, workshops and assign field experts in order to enhance the SMEs and entrepreneurship sector.
Information Systems
1. Retail sale via Internet (ISIC4 Code 4791)
This activity includes retail sale activities carried out through the internet, in which consumers make choices based on information provided in an electronic store, as well as perform the selection and payment online.
2. Operations of eMarketplaces / websites / web portals (ISIC4 Code 6312)
This activity includes:
- Operation of an eMarketplace where products of other licensed businesses are displayed, listed, or advertised (i.e. the products are not owned by the commercial registration owner of the eMarketplace).
- Operation of web sites/mobile applications that use a search engine to generate and maintain extensive databases of Internet addresses and content in an easily searchable format
- Operation of other websites/mobile applications that act as portals to the Internet, such as media sites providing periodically updated content
- Operation of websites/mobile applications that employ cloud computing and network orchestration to provision services. For example, websites/mobile applications that connect suppliers with end-users
- The source of revenue from this activity could be from subscription, registration, commission, etc.
- If the owner of the commercial registration under this activity is intending to buy products to resell them via the eMarketplace, the following activity should be obtained “Retail Sale via the internet" (ISIC Code 4791)
1. Provide a domain URL (Up and running Website) for the commercial registration.
2. Have in place a Returns & refund policy, terms of use policy and consumer protection policy
3. Provide a secured electronic payment method
4. Provide an active shopping cart
5. Provide goods delivery service to the consumers
6. Products offered for sale must not include heavy machinery, vehicles, weapons, alcoholic drinks, pesticides and other products that require approvals from other official authorities.
If the activity is practiced as a virtual CR “Sijili" the following shall apply:
Licensing requirements for Retail sale via Internet activity through a virtual CR “Sijili":
1. The applicant shall be a Bahraini National.
2. The applicant shall neither be the owner of a sole proprietorship or single-person company nor a director or member of any business (the person who is a shareholder of a company is allowed, provided that he is not a manager or director thereof).
3. The applicant shall conduct business through the form of sole proprietorship only
4. A permanent mailing address shall be provided
5. The applicant shall have an active website for the virtual commercial store.
6. The applicant shall only buy products for selling from the local market
Trading in the following activities is prohibited for those practicing retail sale via the internet through a virtual CR “Sijili":
1. Food and beverages
2. Medical equipment and products
3. Pharmaceutical and medical goods
4. Industrial chemicals
5. Oil and gas products
6. Tobacco products
7. Fertilizers, soil amendments and pesticides
8. Selling live animals
9. Waste and scrap
10. Heavy machinery
11. Weapons
12. Other products that require approvals from the related entities
1. The address/link of the eMarketplace must be provided in the dedicated field in Sijilat before commencing any business operations
2. An online payment method must be provided as one of the options available to pay
3. The listed products and services on the eMarketplace must belong to licensed and registered companies or commercial establishments.
4. The eMarketplace owner should declare the names of companies and commercial establishments that are willing to sell their products and services
Yes
Information Systems Directorate
Manama – Sea Front
Financial Harbour Gate – Bahrain Financial Harbour
P.O. Box 60667.
- Manama \ Bahrain
Telephone:
Fax: (+973) 17530276
Working hours: Sunday to Thursday, from 7:30a.m. to 2:00p.m.
Or send us your inquiries via email on:
Companies Control
The Financial reports, Annual General Meeting invitations, & Remove violation Requests are filed with the Company’s Control Directorate through “Sijilat” system.
Guidelines can be found by clicking the links below:
Bahrain joint stock companies public and closed, With Limited Liability Company and
Limited Partnership By Shares & foreign branch
The Audited financial report should be filed during six months of the financial year end date, signed by Chairman of the Board of Directors and a member ( for Bahrain joint stock companies public and closed) & must be signed on behalf of the directors by two directors ( for With Limited Liability Company, foreign branch, Limited Partnership By Shares).
- The financial report to be issued by the Audit firm licensed by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
- Prepared in accordance with international standards for the preparation and presentation of financial statements
- Contain the opinion of the auditor
- Stamped by the office issuing the report or signed by an accredited auditor registered with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
- Signed by the chairman and another member or Directors.
- Includes the name of the company and business registration number and date of issuance of the report and the company's fiscal year
- Be a certified report by the auditor and not the draft.
- Include all the branches of the company.
1. Bank statement for the company.
2. the latest electricity bill of the company
3. A copy of the lease contract.
4. Photos of
5. billboard (signboard)
6. The minister resolution to re-activate the company.
7. A recent financial report proves the existence of the company's capital.
Any cash transaction amounting to BD 6000 or the equivalent in any other currency will be considered as suspicious
Yes, and there is no any legal implications.
- Bahraini or GCC / USA citizens.
- Holder of B.Sc. degree in accounting or business administration with specialization in accounting from one of the universities or high institutes recognized by the relevant authority or any equivalent certificate recognized by such authority, the study duration should not be less than 3 years.
- Has a period of practical experience of no less than Two years in accounting or auditing
- Working on a full-time basis employment in this practice and not working in the government or the private sector.
- Agenda for the Annual General Meeting
- Minutes of the previous meeting.
- List of Board of Directors & their position
- Management letter from the auditor.
- The Directors Report for the year end.
- The Audited Financial Statements for the year end.
- Corporate Governance Report
- Sample of the AGM/EGM notice to the shareholders.
-
Agreed-upon-procedures (AUP) report on "corporate governance compliance" issued by the external auditor for the year end.
-
Agreed-upon-procedures (AUP) report on "related party transactions" issued by the external auditor for the year end.
Fill the customer complaint form and submitted directly to Company’s control Directorate Or through
The corporate governance code issued by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce issued in 2018. For more details click on the following link:
The Form can be downloaded from the link below and submitted through Sijilat system.
Anti-Money laundering Compliance Officer Appointment Form:
Companies that did not conduct their activities from the date of completion of the procedures established or stopped exercising without an acceptable excuse for more than a calendar year connected on the basis of Article 320 of the Commercial Companies Law, based on the decision No. (37) for the year 2008 under the Commercial Companies.
Consumer Protection
The Department is competent in coordination and cooperation with concerned bodies supervising the implementation of the consumer protection law and decisions implementing thereof to facilitate consumer access to products with acceptable quality and favorable price, protection of commercial fraud and harmful monopolistic practices
The Consumer Protection Directorate concentrates on complaints received against commercial sector and solve it as possible according to the laws and regulations. this covers all complaints with regards to products and services, except for medicines, healthy foods and health products authorized to be imported by the concerned authority at the Ministry of Health that are sold in pharmacies and health centers licensed, as well as services provided by self-employed and professionals involved in freelance jobs like medicine field, engineering, law and insurance.
the consumer can file a complaint through the following steps and channels:
- Approaching the consumer protection directorate.
- File a consumer complaint by email.
- File a consumer complaint by fax
- Hot line
According to Article No. (22 ) of the implementing Regulations of Consumer Protection Law , the directorate shall examine the complaint submitted to it within a period not exceeding sixty days from the date of submission, and a report is being generated with all the actions been taken with regards to the complaint.
yes, for the purposed of return, exchange or refund of a product you need to keep the invoices issued while purchasing.
According to Article No. (14 ) of promulgation the implementing of Consumer Protection Law , the consumer has the right to replace the item or returned with a refund value, within fifteen days from the date of receipt of the item , and if the item has a defect or malfunction or was not in conformity with the specifications approved by law or the purpose which had been contracted for
shop do not have the right to sell any commodity or product to consumer for a price higher than the announced price as this action is a violation to the ministerial order no. (1) year 2007 in regards of retail price, and consumer protection directorate can be informed about this offense to take appropriate legal action
it’s under the responsibility of department of Food Control at ministry of Health
This type of complaints is not under the responsibility of Consumer protection and It's under the responsibility of Central bank of Bahrain, insurance supervision directorate
According to UN Charters, the global consumer rights are as the following:
1. The right to be satisfied with the basic needs: the consumer must have access to necessary basic goods and services such as adequate food, clothing, shelter, healthcare and education.
2. The right to be safe: the consumer has the right to be protected against products, production processes and services that are hazardous to health and safety.
3. The right to be informed: the consumer has the right to be informed about the facts that will help him/her in buying and consuming in a proper manner and be aware of his basic rights and responsibilities.
4. The right to choose: the consumer has the right to choose from a variety of quality goods and services sold at competitive prices with quality assurance.
5. The right to be heard: the consumer's interests are to be represented before official and non-official entities and his/her views are to be taken with regard to the development of goods and services.
6. The right to be compensated: the consumer has the right to a fair solution for his/her grievances about substandard, unsafe and unduly expensive goods and services, unfair claims and other unfair consumer practices.
7. The right to education through to get the individual culture of consumer protection in order to help him in the optimal choice of goods and services and miscellaneous commensurate with its potential material.
8. The right to live in a healthy and sustainable environment: the consumer has the right to live and work in environment free from pollution.
1. To look for the specifications of the good he/she willing to buy and to assure having enough and correct information about what he/she is willing to buy.
2. To be aware of his/her rights in all aspects of consumption.
3. To cooperate with the consumer protection authorities to applying decisions related to consumption awareness.
4. To submit a complaint against any breach of the laws governing the consumption, and to make suggestions of what he sees.
You can get all the information and awareness lectures and workshops related to the concepts of consumer awareness by sending a request to get information on e-mail:
Consumer_Awareness@www.moic.gov.bh
Or fax number:
A ”consumer” is every natural or corporate person who obtains products to satisfy his/its needs or requirements of persons belonging thereto
1. Be alert about the advertisements while going for purchase of goods
2. Not be carried away by statements like free offers / discounts etc. since they are not the deciding factors for the requirement of consumers.
3. Not be misled through colorful glamorous advertisements.
1. Decide in advance exactly what you want.
2. Do your research. Ask your family, friends, and others you trust for advice based on their experience.
3. Gather information about the seller and the item or service you intend to purchase.
4. When you purchase the item, keep copies of the guarantees, warranties, and receipt.
5. After-sale services are essential. Ask for advice from others you trust and assess the after-sale services provided by the seller.
