The Bahrain eCommerce Academy which is one of the initiatives between Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and ThinkSmart for  Development and Training and supported by Tamkeen for its trainings, continue providing specialized training courses in the eCommerce field to Bahraini Entrepreneurs, startups and for those who have or wish to have online Businesses.

The training course “Internet Marketing Associate” was recently held on 14th -17th January 2019 in Wyndham Grand Hotel Manama, for 22 trainees from different trading establishments. The training course focused on the high-tech, data-driven world of digital commerce and understanding on how to set their commercial strategy to drive customer acquisition and growth. This course provides the trainees with toolkits which they can utilize to run their own digital business.

It is worth mentioning that the number of trainees enrolled in the Academy till this date is about 75, since the start of this initiative covering three training courses held so far  which are: Mastering eCommerce Masterclass, Internet Marketing Associate Training and Mastering Marketplace eCommerce.

All the training courses aim to create an integrated training platform, based on the refinement of technical skills and the provision of the necessary information and expertise, which will encourage investment in the field of eCommerce and qualify Bahraini youth and entrepreneurs in eCommerce transactions.

Hence, we invite all the business establishments that wish to develop their business to participate in the upcoming training course which is “Mastering Digital Marketing” on 11th – 14th February 2019 to register through the website www.thinksmart.bh​ or by  email info@thinksmartbh.com or contact 17746746.

The Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani met Italian Delegation headed by Mr. Pietro Paolo Rampino the Second Vice-President of Joint Italian Arab Chamber, in presence of Italian ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain Mr. Domenico Bellato.

During the meeting, they reviewed a number of Joint Bahraini-Italian projects especially in light of the directives of the leaderships and the governments of the two countries to enhance their economic relations and develop ways of trade exchange.  

In this context, the minister reviewed the potential enjoyed by the kingdom of Bahrain in various economic fields, welcoming all investments from all over the world.  He also stressed the importance of mutual visits between the private sectors in both countries in bolstering many ideas and initiatives. 

The Minister also highlighted the importance and role of the private sector in consolidating mutual relations and increasing trade volume, pointing out the outstanding offers undertaken by the government of Bahrain for investors from all over the world. He also referred to the facilities procedures pursued by the government to enhance the economic sector and encourage large-scale projects in Bahrain.

The Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani received Palestinian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain Mr. Taha Abdul Qader.

During the meeting, they reviewed the bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and discussed a number of issues of mutual concern. The minister praised the efforts made by the Embassy and the ambassador to enhance the joint relations between Bahrain and Palestine, noting In this regard Bahrain's keenness to support all steps taken by the Palestinian leadership to achieve the economic growth for Palestinian.

Under the Patronage of H.E. Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism officially opened Legend Paint’s new manufacturing facility in the Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP), in presence of Chairman of Legend Paints Mr. Abdulhusain Dewani and a number of Ministry’s officials and businessmen. 

On this occasion, H.E. Zayed R. Al Zayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism said: “Bahrain’s government is committed to supporting export focused Bharani companies and has built a robust manufacturing and logistics sector with world class infrastructure and supportive reforms and policies in place to ensure their competitiveness in domestic, regional and global markets. We are seeing an increasing number of Bahraini companies, like Legend Paints, grow and flourish and we look forward to supporting Legend Paints in the future.”

Abdulhusain Dewani, Chairman of Legend Paints, commented: “We are very proud to officially open our manufacturing facility here in Bahrain International Investment Park. We are going to build on our success to date and this milestone event will allow Legend Paints to increase our production and expand our reach into international markets. We are committed to ensuring the highest quality products are leaving this facility and to providing quality jobs into the future.”

Bahraini company Legend Paints was established by Dawani Group Holding BSC, based in Sitra, in 2005 and in 2015 started construction of the new manufacturing facility on BIIP. 

Legend Paints manufacture and distribute of a range paint products. Employing 23 and running at full capacity, the 4,400 sq.m. facility will produce 7.5 million litres of paint and export across the GCC and the wider Middle East, North Africa region.

The Ministry of Industry Commerce and Tourism (MOICT)’s Consumer Protection directorate has praised various vendors across the Kingdom for placing “VAT FREE” stickers on items not subject to 5% VAT. 

The vendors have adopted this measure in response to the National Bureau for Revenue‘s call to ensure the correct implementation of VAT, in order to ensure transparency to consumers, and to ease daily transactional business in accordance with the Consumer Protection Law no. (35) of 2012 and its executive regulations. 

The directorate noted the role of the private sector as a key partner in raising awareness amongst consumers regarding VAT implementation. 

The Consumer Protection directorate highlighted the importance of placing the VAT registration certificate in a location that is visible to consumers, and noted its commitment to monitoring and inspecting the market in order to ensure the correct application of VAT. 

The directorate urges consumers to call 80008001 to report any violations in the application of the 5% VAT to any goods and services not subject to the tax.

The Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani met the Chairman of Hospitality & Tourism Committee Mr. Jehad Ebrahim Amin and a number of committee members, in presence of CEO of Bahrain Authority for Tourism and Exhibitions Shaikh Khalid bin Hamoud Al Khalifa.

During the meeting, they discussed a number of topics related to tourism sectors in the country and government’s directives to advance this sector, which considered important to the national economy. The minister confirmed to support all efforts and initiatives to enhance this sector and provide all facilities required for investors. 

The minister also affirmed that the tourism sector in Bahrain is today one of the most important economic sectors and comes on top of government priorities and contains an important strategies focused on several elements and infrastructure that characterize the Kingdom of Bahrain, which has become a tourist destination, attracting a growing number of visitors from region and the world.   

The Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani received the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Republic of Indonesia Dr. Mohammed Ghassan Sheikho. 

During the meeting, the minister appreciate all the effort undertaken by the ambassador in enhancing cooperation between Bahrain and Indonesia, confirming  the importance of joint meeting and mutual visits between official of both countries as well as the private sector to enhance and raise trade between the two countries to the required level. 

The Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani met the Chairman of Industry and Energy Committee Hamid Rashid Alzayani and a number of committee members.

During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues and topics related to industry and energy sectors in the country, and government’s directives to promote this sector, which is the main source of the national economy. The minister confirmed to support efforts and initiatives to enhance this sector and provide all facilities required for investors.