New Digital Service Speeds Up Farm Import Approvals

As part of ongoing government efforts to improve and reengineer public services, the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture has launched a new digital service for issuing agricultural import permits through its official website and the national eGovernment portal.

The new service aims to enhance and streamline the process of issuing import permits for plants, plant products, fertilizers, soil enhancers, and pesticides. It seeks to unify procedures, speed up transactions, and improve Bahrain’s global performance indicators related to customs clearance and trade facilitation.

Under the updated system, the processing time has been reduced from four working days to just one working day. The number of required steps and approvals has also been cut.

The platform is linked with several government systems, including commercial registration databases, allowing automatic verification of applicant information. Importers can apply, pay fees electronically, and print their permits directly online.

The service also allows users to issue, renew, amend, or cancel permit requests. A unified fee payment system has been introduced, enabling payment in a single stage without the need for in-person visits. Each permit is secured with a QR code to verify authenticity, reinforcing transparency and efficiency while saving time and effort for importers.

Engineer Asim Abdul Latif Abdullah, Assistant Undersecretary for Agriculture and Animal Resources at the ministry, said the initiative reflects the ministry’s commitment to adopting innovative digital solutions. He noted that the service strengthens integration among entities involved in agricultural trade and supports efforts to improve the business environment and speed up procedures.

He added that the launch forms part of continued efforts to develop services related to international trade movement, simplify processes, and enhance user experience in line with Bahrain’s digital transformation goals.

The ministry highlighted that more than 1,300 government services have been documented, translated, and published as part of broader service development efforts. Around 800 of these services have undergone development and reengineering across various sectors, based on feedback received through the national suggestions and complaints system “Tawasul,” investor feedback, and secret shopper reports.

These initiatives aim to improve efficiency, enhance service quality, strengthen user experience, and support Bahrain’s government digital transformation journey.