Tamkeen has launched a Growth Assistance Programme (GAP) initiative to benefit small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The initiative on information communication technology (ICT) will enable SMEs to participate in the Bahrain International e-government Forum and Exhibition next month.

The event, at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, will take place from May 25 to 27.

'We urge ICT-based SMEs in Bahrain to make full use of this opportunity to showcase their capabilities and play an active and prominent role in the e-community sector in which Bahrain is taking a regional lead,' said Tamkeen's private sector support senior manager Mohammed Bucheery, speaking during a presentation at the Bahrain Society of Engineers.

'It will open new avenues of growth in terms of networking and business opportunities, which is what our GAP programme is all about.'

He said the participation of these SMEs will bring new business to them in Bahrain's ambitious e-government goals, highlight the availability of a skilled workforce for this vital industry and help create international partnerships.

'SMEs wishing to take advantage of the offer need to be Bahrain-based and at least 51 per cent Bahraini-owned (100 per cent for individual establishments) and must meet the Labour Market Regulatory Authority's Bahrainisation quota.'

He said enabling the participation of SMEs in the ICT sector is part of Tamkeen's larger game plan to promote growth among Bahrain's private sector.

'We have already had successful representation at the Gitex show in Dubai last year and earlier this year we organised an e-tendering workshop for SMEs to bring them up to speed with e-governance initiatives.'

He said all these moves will help Bahrain's ICT SMEs to stimulate their development and growth through technological, management and administrative upgrades.

More information can be obtained from Tamkeen's Enterprise Development Support Agency on 17 587752.

The deadline to apply is April 26 and SMEs will be selected on first-come first-serve basis, said a Tamkeen spokesman.-TradeArabia News Service