Tamkeen continues to enhance business ICT capabilities

Tamkeen announced today that the “Techania” scheme, one of the many business support schemes under its flagship Enterprise Development Support Programme, will now also cover high-tech Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions.This step, which followed a successful pilot phase to test its viability, will enable Bahraini enterprises to upgrade their existing ICT infrastructure, in line with Tamkeen’s ongoing efforts to enhance the capabilities of the private sector and boost the productivity and efficiency of businesses in Bahrain.As with the other schemes under the Enterprise Development Support Programme, Tamkeen will subsidise 80% of the cost of these technologies up to BD 15,000 for small enterprises and 20,000 for medium and large enterprises. The subsidy amount be counted against the available balance for the enterprise under the “Techania” scheme.The ICT technologies covered under the scheme include both hardware and software - such as fixed workstations and modern telephone systems - provided they directly relate to the core business activity. Portable devices – such as mobile phones, tablets, and laptops - which can be utlilised for personal usage are strictly excluded.Commenting on this announcement, Mohammed Bucheeri, Tamkeen’s Senior Manager for Private Sector Support, said: “Tamkeen is committed to the continuous improvement of our support programmes in order to best serve our customers. The inclusion of ICT solutions under “Techania” will further enhance the flexibility of our support offerings, and enable business owners across Bahrain to integrate high-quality ICT solutions into their day-to-day operations, a crucial element for sustainable business growth.”More than 4,800 enterprises in Bahrain across all sectors benefited from Tamkeen’s Enterprise Development Support programme to date, with an allocated project budget of over BD 119 million as of end of December 2012.the Enterprise Development Support Programme consists of six schemes which are “Istishara”, to assist in the strategic planning and determining vision and goals of the organization, “Techania” to provide support for the purchase of latest enterprise-related tools and equipment, “Jawda” to assist in the design and application of world-class quality standards, “Tasweeq” to provide support in the design and implementation of effective marketing and communications strategies, “Tarweej”, to assist businesses to participate in local and international events, and the Large Enterprises Support Scheme which allows large enterprises to acquire industrial machinery and technology.In all, more than 75,000 Bahraini individuals and enterprises benefited from Tamkeen programmes to date. The total number of beneficiaries expected to benefit from these programmes is more than 100,000.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).