EXPORT BAHRAIN LAUNCHES NATIONAL ECOMMERCE INITIATIVE

Export Bahrain, a lead initiative of the national SME Development Board has launched a first of its kind national e-commerce initiative designed to support Bahrain based businesses access and list their products and services on prominent local, regional and international e-commerce platforms.

In line with national efforts to nurture continued growth opportunities available for businesses to expand into new markets and grow their customer base globally, Export Bahrain’s new e-commerce initiative was created to promote a borderless marketplace for products and services made in Bahrain. To support the objectives of this new initiative, Export Bahrain has established exclusive partnership agreements with a growing list of prominent e-commerce platforms that are designed to provide highly completive cost saving and incentives to businesses listing their products and services.

All businesses based in Bahrain who have products and services that are Made in Bahrain and with a key focus on SMEs in particular are able to take advantage of this new initiative that will provide further visibility to their company and services to local and international audiences.

Commenting on the launch, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and Chairman of the SME Development Board, H.E. Zayed Bin Rashid Al Zayani stated: “The introduction of this new support to businesses across Bahrain is critical to transitioning businesses and SME’s in particular to a global marketplace mindset where they are able to tap into local and international markets and customers more effectively. A key element of Export Bahrain’s mandate, which has supported over USD 40 Million in SME exports of national origin since its inception, is to enhance the ability of businesses producing products made in Bahrain and to assist them tap into global markets. This initiative is specifically designed to make the transition to e-commerce easy and competitively cost effective, thereby providing Bahrain based businesses a key advantage. All businesses in Bahrain have the potential to export their products and services and utilizing this unique e-commerce support solution is one step to bringing that vision to reality.”

Dr. Nasser Qaedi, Chief Executive of Export Bahrain stated: “Through its exclusive partnerships Export Bahrain’s e-commerce initiative will provide unprecedented advantages to Bahrain based businesses seeking to list their products and services on e-commerce platforms. The support provided will reduce and in many instances eliminate costs associated with listing fees, commissions, and multiple other areas to provide tangible competitive cost advantages to businesses where costs of up to 100% will be eliminated depending on the e-commerce platform. We have agreements in place with multiple prominent and well established platforms and are seeking to grow this to eventually have exclusive agreements with the majority of platforms available locally and globally and where Export Bahrain will work with businesses to select and avail of the advantages of the e-commerce platforms they are most interested in.”

The launch of the national e-commerce support initiative is part of series of new products and services that have been launched in 2020 by Export Bahrain to assist businesses overcome challenges and take advantage of new growth opportunities. “Combined with Export Bahrain’s Shipping & Logistics Support Solution, Export Faciliatation, Deal Facilitation, Export Credit Insurance and many other services, the e-commerce solution will significantly boost the competitiveness of Bahrain produced products and services globally and help lower costs while securing new business opportunities. We hope that this will continue to provide momentum to businesses across Bahrain as they position their services online to expand their customer reach and encourage businesses to explore these opportunities and more with Export Bahrain” Dr. Qaedi added.