Batelco is expecting the next wave of growth to come from small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which already have a 40 per cent of the enterprise market, a top official has said.

Batelco general manager enterprise division Adel Daylami told the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication, that the telecoms firm has developed a comprehensive range of business communications products, services and solutions targeted at SMEs.

The company is making investments in a fixed line fibre network and tailoring cloud solutions for SMEs, he said.

Daylami was speaking on the sidelines of Batelco CommTech 2013 that was held at Crowne Plaza's Bahrain Convention Centre yesterday.

The one-day business event, which was being held for the second year, attracted hundreds of business owners and technical experts

Global brands such as Google, Samsung, MasterCard, Cisco and Avaya were present, as well as local business enablers Tamkeen, Bahrain Development Bank, startupBahrain, Unido, Bukamal and others.

CommTech for SMEs included an exhibition where Batelco and its partners demonstrated a range of solutions.

A number of presentations were also made by industry experts on a range of topics which included 'Driving Online Presence', 'The Future of Business', 'Automate Your Business on Mobile' and 'The Smart way of using a Mobile Device'.

Additionally, two panel discussions, with expert panelists in the fields of SME financing, marketing and social media, were held, with one of the sessions aimed at highlighting the essentials of starting up a business in Bahrain.

Batelco Bahrain chief executive Rashid Abdulla said the event was held to foster business development in Bahrain by demonstrating a comprehensive range of products, services and solutions in one day, under one roof.

"Participants had the invaluable opportunity to view a number of demos and attend educational sessions as well as share and exchange knowledge with their industry peers," he said.

"We have received very positive feedback from the exhibitors, speakers and visitors. We look forward to a third event next year," he added.-TradeArabia News Service