Manama, Dec 30 (BNA) – In line with the directives of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister on facilitating the procedures for exercising trade and economic businesses in the Kingdom of Bahrain in conformity with the Economic Vision 2030 adopted by the government of Bahrain, Industry and Commerce Minister Dr. Hassan bin Abdullah Fakhro announced the launch of the pilot phase of the Business Licenses Information Service (BLIS), which forms a unified and comprehensive guide for establishing businesses in Bahrain, in cooperation with the e-Government Authority, Economic Development Board and other government agencies concerned with issuing trade licensing.
This came during the press conference held yesterday, in the presence of Minister of Transportation and Acting Chief Executive of Economic Development Board, Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, CEO of the e-Government Authority Mohammad Ali Al-Kaed, relevant institutions and government bodies’ teams, businessmen, lawyers, chartered accountants concerned with trade in Bahrain.
The BLIS aims to provide a favorable climate for attracting investments in the country to attain the objectives of the Economic Vision 2030 that target stimulating national economic growth.
The e-Government website www.bahrain.bh/business includes all the conditions, procedures, laws and regulations related to acquiring business licenses.
Minister of Industry and Commerce praised HRH Crown Prince’s support for the project and thanked all those involved in establishing a highly sophisticated electronic system of high efficiency in the area of registration and licensing business institutions in Bahrain.
He added his Ministry’s strategy aims to develop mechanisms and policies to be followed by all authorities concerned with the issuance of licenses and practicing businesses, based on the goals adopted by the government of Bahrain to reach sustainable development.
Transportation Minister stressed the e-Government Authority’s support for the private sector to contribute to raise the level of efficiency, bolster cooperation among partners and promote business leadership and innovation, lauding the Economic Development Board’s supportive efforts in attracting investments in Bahrain.
The BLIS will automatically communicate with applicants via emails or SMS text messaging to inform clients of the licenses issuance stages and provide them with all information required around the clock.
Ministry of Industry and Trade and the e-Government Authority called on potential investors wishing to benefit from the new system in its pilot phase to contact telephone number 80008001 to listen to their comments and opinions about this system.
A workshop will be held in the first half of January 2014 at the Bahrain Investors Center on means of using the BLIS system and dealing with various issues may arise during using the new system.
MJ
BNA 2134 GMT 2013/12/30