Bahrain to host eCommerce Forum 2017

Bahrain will host the fourth edition of the eCommerce Forum and Exhibition 2017 under the patronage of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed R. AL Zayani.

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism announced the launch of the fourth edition of the eCommerce Forum and Exhibition 2017 titled "eCommerce ... a Bahraini Platform ... For a Global Market" slated to be held in October, in a strategic partnership with both Tamkeen and the Bahrain Technology Companies Society (BTECH) as well as with the support of Gulf Petrochemical Company as a silver sponsor.

In light of the pioneering role of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism in promoting the eServices industry in the Kingdom of Bahrain, particularly to provide support to businesses along with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and investors, in order to enhance the performance of the Bahraini electronic market to maintain the position it merits on the map of successful international markets.

It is important to note that this year’s event will be launched in an altered way in order to suit the needs of the local market and bridge the technical gap between local businesses in terms of eCommerce and its applications by raising awareness about secure conversion, enhancing trust in eTransactions and overcoming the challenges faced in the field. In addition, there will be successful local and international online businesses as well as a display of the global best practices.

CEO of Tamkeen, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Janahi, affirmed the importance of the added-value gained from eCommerce. "eCommence comes as key step towards meeting the technical and developmental needs of the trade markets. Yet, enterprises adopting eCommence can greatly benefit from increasing their efficiency and contribute to the development of the national economy," he said.

Dr. Janahi stressed Tamkeen’s role as key strategic partner in these efforts as well as in this event, as an active driver for economic expansion in the country. "This event provides a great platform for knowledge sharing and exchange of best international practices, that ultimately supports our commercial institutions and contribute to the welfare of Bahrain", he said.

President of the Bahrain Technology Companies Society (BTECH) Ubaydli Al-Ubaydli noted the importance of the collaborated efforts of the various institutions led by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism as well as Tamkeen, together with Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company to establish such a unique event in the Arabian Gulf region. Al-Ubaydli stressed the need to pay quick and creative attention to the changes taking place in the ICT industry in order to prepare the national economy as being ready to interact positively with these transformations. He explained that once these developments were embraced at the national level, the economy could be transformed in the right direction to build a knowledge economy.

Al-Ubaydli pointed to the importance of generating a creative formula based on accurate scientific study of market transformations, derived from accurate information. He explained that there was crucial role for the private sector’s contribution to the Kingdom's gradual and smooth transition to a diversified, economy that carries all the elements of development.

Dr. Abdulrahman Jawahery, Chairman of Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company, praised the efforts exerted by the Ministry, which aims to improve the performance of the eMarket in our home country and help businesses, businessmen and investors to enhance confidence in eTransactions. In addition, he welcomed the efforts of all institutions to promote the Kingdom as an economy which responds to the demands of its market as well as in terms of attracting more business and investments.

Dr. Jawahery said that the company will continue to support such activities, both public and private, in response to the guidance of its Board of Directors and the strategies that are put in place. He expressed his wishes for the success of the forum and exhibition and hopes that the goals are achieved to elevate eCommerce projects to wider horizons.

Source: BNA