Thirty Bahrain companies took part in a local information and computer technology (ICT) exhibition held recently under an initiative launched by the kingdom’s labour fund, Tamkeen.

They responded to Tamkeen’s Growth Assistance Programme (GAP) initiative under which the organisation offered to pay 20 per cent of the companies’ total cost of participation at ICT Expo 2009 and underwrite other related expenses.
The exhibition was held at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre in late May. Thanks to the gesture, the companies could showcase their capabilities to service the e-community and e-industry sectors and network with big names in industry.
Tamkeen described the initiative as “a resounding success.” The 30 companies’ presence was a record, it added.
“We are vey happy with the interest as Tamkeen worked hard to promote the GAP concept of developing business through exposure to new markets and nowhere is this better illustrated than in industry exhibitions,” commented Mohammed Bucheery, senior manager, private sector support, Tamkeen.
“Such participation opens new avenues of growth in terms of networking and business opportunities which is what our GAP programme is all about.”
A Tamkeen statement said participation by the 30 would attract new business in Bahrain’s ambitious e-Government project, highlight the availability of training for Bahrainis and help create international partnerships.
The companies were selected on a first-come first-serve basis.
Other partners in the initiative were the ICT committee of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bahrain’s e-government agency, Bahrain Internet Society and Bahrain Society of Engineers.

Second GAP initiative
“This is Tamkeen’s second GAP initiative with the ICT sector – we had earlier taken 10 enterprises from the sector to participate at Gitex 2008 in Dubai,” said Bucheery.
“Tamkeeen is also building core strengths for the private sector through e-tendering workshops to bring them up to speed with e-government initiatives. All these moves will undoubtedly help Bahrain’s private sector to stimulate their development and growth through technological, management and administrative upgrades.
“This remarkable participation shows that the idea has caught the imagination of the industry.
“With Bahrain forging ahead as a reliable and strategic regional partner in the booming ICT industry which depends on leading-edge knowledge and trend-spotting, we are looking forward to a robust calendar of GAP-assisted exhibition participation for the Bahrain private sector.”
Elaborating on the GAP initiative, Tamkeen said it aimed at enabling the private sector “enhance its competitiveness and potential to grow through providing them resources and access to expertise  to develop their product and marketing strategies.”
“The Bahrain ICT Expo was put together to enable them to explore opportunities to serve the growing e-government requirements of Bahrain and other countries,” it added.
Tamkeen describes itself as a semi-autonomous yet independent authority which formulates strategic and operational plans to enhance the overall prosperity of Bahrain by investing in Bahraini employability, job creation and social support. It is funded by the fees collected by LMRA, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority.
Until the end of March 2009, Tamkeen invested more than BD70 million ($186 million) in more than 30 projects, targeting more than 19,000 Bahrainis and 5,700 small and medium enterprises.

Participating companies
The 30 companies that received GAP support for the Bahrain ICT Expo included Zayani Computer Systems, Al Moayyed Computers, MicoCentre, Boxon Vision, Fakhroo IT Services, Gulf Future Business, Experts House Trading, Winsoft Information Technology, Al Nadeem IT and New Horizon.
Also receiving GAP support were Allied Engineering Group, Exceed IT Services & Training, Xerox Poster Centre, Kanoo IT, Almoayed Data Group, Bin Hindi Informatics, Azimuth WLL, Dynamics Networks Solutions, Technology Byte and Price Water House Coopers.
Other companies that made up the 30 were Integrated System Services and Aeradio Technical Services, Sapartan Infotech Co, Aurionpro Solutions, SPC, Al Mada Technology, Dynvert Business Solutions, Al Moayyed Commercial Services, Eeha’a Graphics and Bahrain Institute of Technology.