Chamber links App to National Strategy

TDT | Manama

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TDT| Manama Bahrain Chamber’s new app and digital assistant are closely linked to the Kingdom’s national digital strategy, leaders of the Bahrain Chamber said on Wednesday, highlighting that the initiative reflects Bahrain’s determination to remain at the forefront regionally and globally.

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the app and the digital assistant, His Excellency Sameer Abdulla Nass, Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber of C o m m e r c e and Industry, revealed that the Chamber initiated the idea of having an app to communicate with its members, solve their queries, and provide access to services six years ago. “It was something that we initiated six years ago and we wanted to bring it to this level. Still, this is just the beginning. This app will be continously developed to a certain level that we wish,” H.E. said.

National strategy

Basim AlSaie, Executive Committee Member of Bahrain Chamber, said, “Bahrain is pushing a lot, trying to be at the forefront of the world and in the region in terms of digital transformation and digital services. Most of the government entities and ministries have floated their services in the digital world. AI is starting to peak now in terms of usage and integration, and this will only accelerate. The launch today will make it more seamless and more transparent,” he said, adding that it will become the norm in the future. The Government of Bahrain is always leading and pushing forward on a regional level, and the countries in the region are competing in a very healthy way in adoption of digital services, the Bahrain Chamber official said on the sidelines of the launch event on Wednesday.

Mr. AlSaie noted that the risk increases as more services move online and underlined the importance of investment in cybersecurity to safeguard information and prevent any unlawful or illegal activities.

Business benefits

Mr. AlSaie explained that the Chamber’s app gives members “the right and the freedom to pick what they want,” allowing businesses to receive updates most relevant to their sector. It’s all a data-drive and data-centric approach, he added. Adoption and use of the app by the members of the Chamber will go up as they realize that all queries and services can be resolved through the app itself, the Executive Committee Member said. The AI assistant is a big leap because it’s not a normal chatbot but one that encompasses a lot of information that is very essential today for conducting business, he explained.

Regional example

To highlight Bahrain’s progress, Mr. AlSaie shared an anecdote where a visa renewal in Europe took “almost a month and a half,” compared to just days in the Kingdom. This shows the level of digitalization that has happened in the region, specifically in the Kingdom of Bahrain, he said.

“The government has a very ambitious strategy and we, at the private sector, is also pushing very hard in multiple areas,” Mr. AlSaie said. Commending Tamkeen’s initiatives in training users in AI, he said, “We believe that Bahraini companies should be at the forefront of having the best tools that they can use to boost their efficiency and productivity. This is a beginning, and it is a continuous process.”