19 Tamkeen-supported Bahraini agricultural farmers and entreprises demonstrated their excellence at the Bahrain International Garden Show (BIGS) 2010, one of the most unique international annual fairs held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, and supported by his wife Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa. The farmers and enterprises participated in the show through the Growth Assistance Scheme, one of several schemes offered by Tamkeen under its Enterprise Development Support (EDS) programme. Tamkeen covered the full cost of the farmer’s participation while supporting 60 to 90 % of the enterprises participation, enabling them to showcase their products and services in Tamkeen's stand to a large group of international exhibitors, delegates, and visitors.
The national enterprises attracted much attention from the visitors of the show, which provides an important opportunity for Bahraini companies in the agriculture and landscaping industry to introduce themselves, compete with other companies, and explore new markets.
"I am delighted that the participants in BIGS drew so much attention this year, which reflects the value of our EDS programme and the role it plays in promoting national talents and helping Bahraini entreprises realise their ambitions in line with Bahrain's Economic VIsion 2030," said Tamkeen’s Private Sector Support Senior Manager, Mr. Mohammed Bucheery. "And I urge Bahraini entrepreneurs wishing to develop their businesses to benefit from Tamkeen's various valuable programmes, which are especially designed to boost the efficiency and productivity of the Bahraini companies in all sectors."
One of the participants in BIGS through Tamkeen was Mohammed Hussein Al Jabouri's shop which specialises in palm tree designs and products. The shop’s skilled designers designed and built Tamkeen's large multi-kiosk stand - which have won two of “best of stand” for the overall stand of Tamkeen and for Al Wadi section - using palm branches and leaves and other traditional materials. Al-Jabouri, who developed his hobby into a business, now exports his attractive designs to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Germany.
Encouraged by his positive experience with Tamkeen's ”Mohasaba” Scheme, which assists in managing accounts, Al-Jabouri applied to the Growth Assistance Scheme. He praised Tamkeen and the KPMG Fakhro team who are managing the EDS programme, through the facilitation of the application process and afforded him the opportunity to design and build the entire pavilion. “I hope that such local industries will be further supported and that a special institute will be established to preserve and promote these traditional handicrafts in light of the huge local and regional demand for them,” he commented.
Abdullah Ahmed Al Sayegh, owner of Al Sayegh Agricultural Establishment, said this was his first participation in a Tamkeen programme. He commended the support he and his exhibiting colleagues from the agricultural sector received, and stated that the sophisticated yet expedient application process high has encouraged them to repeat the experience in the near future. According to him, farmers, exactly like plants, need constant care and attention to grow, and hoped that more such support will be offered for national talents in all sectors.
For his part, Musa Farhat, General Manager of Shallalat Lubnan [Lebanon Waterfalls], a company specialised in landscaping, waterfalls, and decorations using 100 percent Bahraini materials, said that his experience exceeded his expectations. Although this too was his first participation in Tamkeen's Growth Assistance Scheme, he said, “I know feel like I am truly a part of the programme, and I advise everyone wishing to grow his or her business to benefit from the various EDS schemes.”
On the sidelines of the Bahrain International Garden Show, Tamkeen singed an agreement worth of BD4 million with Ebdaa Bank to launch the Bahraini Farmers Support Programme, which is looking to support 600 Bahraini farmers by proving them with state-of the-art equipments and techniques. This unique programme aims to support the agriculture sector in the Kingdom by increasing the farmers’ harvest and raising the efficiency of agricultural and livestock production.
While the Growth Assistance Scheme, one of several schemes offered by Tamkeen under its Enterprise Development Support (EDS) programme, is a co-financing scheme designed to support enterprises and make them sustainable by increasing the reach of their products and services through participation in local and regional trade exhibitions – such as BIGS. The support provided by Tamkeen covers the space rental at the show, plus the design and installation of stands.
Bahraini Enterprises are assisted in the various programmes by the EDS Agency, managed by KPMG Fakhro, which recently opened dedicated premises in Seef area at Meral Building to facilitate the application process. Entrepreneurs interested will be able to attend an orientation session and then apply to the programme that will answer their needs such as the Business Development Scheme, Technical Assistance Scheme, Quality Management Systems Scheme and Growth Assistance Scheme.
