Manama, Bahrain - Wednesday, June 5th 2013:     

Tamkeen's flagship Enterprise Development Support Programme, which seeks to enhance the capabilities of enterprises in Bahrain, has served over 6,000 private sector enterprises since its launch.

Tamkeen's total contribution to the enterprises served through the programme's various business support schemes to date has reached BD 33 million.

To accommodate the sharp increase in demand from business owners seeking to benefit from the programme, Tamkeen allocated additional resources to the programme. Initially planned to serve 2,500 enterprises from 2012 to 2014 as per the operational plan, the Enterprise Development Support Programme has successfully served 3,500 enterprises since the beginning of 2012 to June 2013 alone.

Around 59% of the enterprises served are start-ups and developing SMEs which have been in operation five years or less, with enterprises owned by businesswomen making up around one-third (31%) of the total.

Sector-wise, the Wholesale and Retail Trade sector constituted 31% of the total benefiting enterprises, followed by Construction (15%), Manufacturing (9%), and Food Services and Accommodation sectors (9%).

Tamkeen's Acting Vice President for Private Sector Support, Mr. Mohammed Bucheery said "Tamkeen's Enterprise Development Support programme provides strategic business support services that make enterprises, particularly SME's, more sustainable and fuel future economic growth. Our ongoing engagement with the business community in Bahrain has been invaluable in ensuring that the programmes Tamkeen provides match the market needs, and we look forward to continuing this relationship moving forward."

Tamkeen has taken steps to make the programme more accessible and flexible based on feedback received from business owners in Bahrain and Tamkeen-commissioned impact studies conducted by independent parties. The modifications include expanding staff and offices of the Enterprise Development Support Agency, introducing a dedicated toll-free call centre line (80008001), and allowing enterprises the flexibility to choose their own service provider.

Most recently, Tamkeen introduced the Legal Services Support Scheme in April under the Enterprise Development Support umbrella to enable business owners to access a wide range of legal support services. Also in April, Tamkeen announced that the "Techania" scheme will also cover ICT solutions.

The Enterprise Development Support Programme currently consists of "Istishara" to assist in the strategic planning, "Techania" to support the purchase of enterprise-related tools and equipment, "Jawda" to assist in the design and application of world-class quality standards, "Tasweeq" to support the design and implementation of effective marketing and communications strategies, "Tarweej", to enable businesses to participate in local and international events, the Large Enterprises Support Scheme to enable large enterprises acquire industrial machinery and technology, and the Legal Services Support Scheme.

For each of the Enterprise Development Support Programme schemes, Tamkeen contributes 80% of the associated costs up to a maximum of BD15,000 for small enterprises and BD 20,000 for medium and large enterprises.

Enterprises interested in benefiting from the Enterprise Development Support schemes may visit Tamkeen's Enterprise Development Support Agency at Meral Building located in Seef area, or call the toll-free number (80008001), or email (edsa@tamkeen.bh).

-Ends- 

About Tamkeen
Tamkeen is an initiative funded by the private sector for the private sector, tasked with developing Bahrain's private sector and positioning it as the key driver of economic development. Established in August 2006, Tamkeen is one of the cornerstones of Bahrain's national reform initiatives and Bahrain Economic Vision.

Tamkeen has two primary objectives: Firstly, fostering the creation and development of enterprises, and secondly, providing support to enhance the productivity and growth of enterprises and individuals.

Under each of those objectives, certain mechanisms and innovative support initiatives have been put in place by Tamkeen to address current and future gaps for individuals and enterprises in the private sector that have been identified by thorough studies of the labour market landscape. To date, Tamkeen has created 180 such support programmes.

For Bahrainis, Tamkeen's programmes range from developing the skills and capabilities of Bahrain's human capital, to promoting sound workplace ethics and training on leadership and management best practices, among others. For enterprises, Tamkeen provides programmes which offer enterprises with subsidised business support services, facilitate access to financing to bridge the enterprise financing gap, and enable entrepreneurship, to name a few.

As of end of 2012, Tamkeen's programmes have benefited 75,000 Bahrainis and enterprises in the private sector, and allocated more than BD 292.5 million to the sector for its ongoing and completed programmes. In all, more than 100,000 beneficiaries are expected to benefit from these support programmes.

Tamkeen's human capital development programmes have benefited more than 56,000 Bahrainis, including funding training for nearly 30,000 Bahrainis. In addition, they enabled a further 3,500 Bahrainis to find gainful employment, and more than 2,000 Bahrainis to obtain professional certifications in their respective fields.

For enterprises, nearly 19,000 enterprises have benefited from Tamkeen's support programmes, including enabling more than 4,900 enterprises to get low-cost capital through its BD210 million financing portfolio, and more than 4,500 enterprises to enhance their performance through its subsidised business support services.

In parallel, Tamkeen's programmes have played a key role in institutionalising new concepts within Bahrain's private sector, including SME and micro-financing, entrepreneurship as a viable career path, women empowerment, modern accounting and auditing systems within SMEs, and many other paradigms needed for a vibrant sustainable private sector.

Tamkeen's funds come from 50% of the fees collected from the Labour Market Regulatory Authority.

For more information about our programmes, please call:
Tamkeen
Telephone:17 383333
Fax: 17 382352
Email: support@tamkeen.bh
Website :www.tamkeen.bh
www.facebook.com/TamkeenBahrain
http://twitter.com/TamkeenBahrain
http://www.youtube.com/TamkeenBahrain
http://www.linkedin.com/company/tamkeen
http://instagram.com/TamkeenBahrain

© Press Release 2013