Export Bahrain, a key 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  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, a statement said.

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 competitive cost saving and incentives to businesses listing their products and services, it added.

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, HE Zayed Bin Rashid Al Zayani stated: “The introduction of this new support to businesses across Bahrain is critical to transitioning businesses and SMEs 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 $46 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 ,” he added.

Dr. Nasser Qaedi, Chief Executive of Export Bahrain stated: “Through its exclusive partnerships Export Bahrain’s e-commerce initiative will provide 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.”