Parliament Approves Cutting CR Fees to BD 30
TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com
A plan to cut annual commercial registration (CR) fees to BD 30 for small businesses and BD 60 for Bahraini-owned companies passed through Parliament on Tuesday. The proposal, which also introduces changes for foreign-owned businesses, will see their fees set by the relevant minister with Cabinet approval. The reforms are aimed at easing financial pressure on entrepreneurs and encouraging small business growth.
Under the approved amendments to the 2015 Commercial Registration Law, the first three activities listed in a registration will be free of charge, with additional activities charged at BD 10 each. Currently, opening a registration costs BD 50, with another BD 100 for the first three activities, whether used or not. MP Jalal Kadhem, who championed the proposal, said the existing fees are a hurdle for Bahrainis wanting to enter the business world.
‘These costs weigh heavily on those trying to get started,’ Kadhem said. ‘By lowering fees, we’re giving people the chance to step into freelancing or start a small business without being held back by the price tag.’
Supporters of the reforms believe they will simplify registration and remove barriers for local business owners. A member of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee, which unanimously supported the proposal, called the new fee structure a more practical way to encourage entrepreneurship in Bahrain.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce, while neutral on the proposal, stressed that any changes must match the services provided and comply with Bahrain’s trade agreements. A ministry official remarked, ‘It’s important to keep a balance between what’s fair for businesses and what’s sustainable for the government.’
Not all groups were fully behind the changes. The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry voiced concern, pointing out that the current fees were set after careful comparisons with other Gulf countries. The Chamber warned that altering them could unsettle businesses already operating under the established framework. On the other hand, the Bahrain Businessmen’s Association welcomed the move, describing it as a relief for small business owners and a positive step for Bahrain’s economy.
Kadhem also praised the Ministry of Interior’s approach to administrative fees for ID cards and passports, where fixed costs and extended validity periods of up to 10 years reduce financial strain. ‘We need the same mindset for commercial registrations—reasonable fees that don’t burden citizens,’ he said.
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