1.Who is eligible to apply for Business Development Program?
All active enterprises registered and licensed in Bahrain.
Any Enterprise in the process of registering for a Commercial Registration or a license may apply if they provide documentation from the authorizing body verifying that they are in process. Support approval shall be given when the final Commercial Registration Certificate or License to operate the enterprise has been obtained.
2.What is the size of the grant?
The size of the grant shall depend on several factors such as the size of the enterprise, the industry, number of employees, financial performance, business characteristics, business requirements etc.
3.Can I apply to the program even if I am currently benefiting or have benefited from another of Tamkeen’s Enterprise Support programs?
Yes, you can apply for the Business Development program while still benefiting from other Enterprise Support programs such as Training Wage Subsidy.
4.When can I re-apply to the Business Development program?
Typically, you will only be able to reapply to the Business Development program when you have completed your contract period of 3 years.
However, you may be able to re-apply before your contract period has ended if you are a group of companies provided the following:
- One or more branches have a different line of business;
- One or more branches are encountering an expansion; or
- Introducing a new line of business.
5.How do I apply to the Business Development program?
Step 1: You create and activate your account through Tamkeen’s portal.
Step 2: Login to your account click on ‘My Companies’ link in the menu to add your Company details to the portal to verify that your Commercial Registration or License is eligible for the program.
Step 3: Click on ‘Business Development’ to view the drop-down sub-menu and click on ‘New Application’ to fill and submit the online application form.
For more information and help on how to apply, please visit one of our Customer Service Centers.
6.What information do I need prepared before I apply?
Before applying, you must have the following information ready:
- Your short-term business plan
- List of all the item(s) and/or service(s) required for the next 18 months
- Quotations for the item(s) and/or service(s) required for the next 3 months
Start-Ups, 5k and Sijili Applicants will require to have the following information ready:
- List of all the item(s) and/or service(s) required for the next 3 months
- Quotations for the item(s) and/or service(s) required for the next 3 months
7.What documents do I need to upload with my online application?
You will be required to upload the following documentation:
- Copy of Authorized Signatory's Smart Card
- Last Month's Bank Statement from the Main Business Account
- Last Month's Electricity & Water Bill (Not required for Sijili applicants)
- Quotations for the Item(s) and/or Service(s) Requested
However, you may be requested to upload other documents in addition to the ones detailed above depending on your enterprise for e.g. a company will be asked to upload their Article of Association.
8.How long does it take to fill up the application form?
The time to fill up the application form shall vary as we have different application forms to suit different business needs.
9.I need help filling out the application form, what do I do?
If you require any help filling out the Application form, we recommend that you attend our Application Walk-Through session as it provides detailed information about the Application process and about each step within the process.
We also provide self-service desks, equipped with a computer, printer, and scanner, in each of our Service Centres around Bahrain. You are free to come by and use our self-service desks to fill out the application form where if you have any question or queries about the process our customer representatives shall be readily available to answer them.
10.What happens after I submit my application?
Step 1: We assess and verify the accuracy and completeness of your Application form.
Step 2: We may contact you to schedule a virtual Site Visit to your premises.
Step 3: We will schedule an Assessment meeting to further discuss your business needs and requirements.
Step 4: Based on your Application Form and Assessment meeting we will finalize and provide you with a Support Approval.
11.What is a Virtual Site Visit?
A Virtual Site Visit is a Site Visit using a web-based audio and visual connections to facilitate a face to face interaction between an Enterprise and a Tamkeen employee.
12.How does a Virtual Site Visit work?
- Once a Virtual Site Visit has been scheduled, an SMS notification shall be sent to you on the time and date of the scheduled Site Visit with a link to Tamkeen’s Digital Platform.
- When you click on said link a video conversation shall be initiated between you and a Tamkeen employee.
- The employee shall guide you through the Site Visit asking you all the relevant questions to fulfill the objective of the Virtual Site Visit.
13.Who should attend the Assessment meeting?
Ideally, the owner(s) of the company or an appointed company representative in charge of the day-to-day operations.
14.What is a Support Approval?
A Support Approval is a document provided to each enterprise which details all the approved items/services that Tamkeen shall provide up to 50% financial support for.
The Support Approval shall detail the following:
- Support Schemes the enterprise is approved for
- List of approved items/service(s) under each Support Scheme
- Breakdown of the Grant Amount per Support Scheme
- Total Grant Amount
15.What happens if I do not agree with the Support Approval?
If the Support Approval does not meet your business requirements or demonstrates incorrect information you may submit an Amendment Request through the online portal.
16.Can I amend my Support Approval after it has been confirmed?
Yes, as long as, the desired amendments are in line with your enterprise’s business activities and does not exceed your allocated Grant Amount.
17.How long is the contract period?
The contract period is for a duration of 3 years starting from the approval date stated on the Support Approval.
18.How much time do I have to utilize my grant?