*** Sijili for a change | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Sijili for a change

Manama Gone are those days when starting a business was an arduous task with myriad hurdles to jump through. 

Making this possible now is the newly introduced Commercial Registration system dubbed ‘Sijili’. 

A single major requirement, however, is that the applicant should be a Bahraini. 

If then, you can try your hands at around 39 commercial activities without taking the pain to register the property’s title office or headquarters.

Introduced by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism yesterday, ‘Sijili’ is a one-of-its-kind Commercial Registration system which effectively replaces the red tape with red carpet for aspiring Bahraini entrepreneurs. 

Welcoming features include: ability to start business without taking a shop, legal status for entrepreneurs, opportunity to sign contracts with companies that demand a commercial record, flexibility in doing business and many more. 

‘Sijili’ comes within the framework of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism with the support of Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. 

As announced by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani, in a press conference, Sijili’s focus is on Bahraini entrepreneurs. 

Which also means, no permits will be granted under the license issued by ‘Sijili’ to acquire foreign labourers. 

For that, additional  approvals will be required from licensors, which also depends on the nature of the business. 

As such Sijili’s primary focus is on supporting and encouraging small individual projects. 

In other words, the single-window clearance system will simplify the procedures for establishing some facilities (for entrepreneurs such as photographers, translators, trainers, consultants, and others) and will provide them legal approvals. 

Explaining more, the Undersecretary of Commerce Affairs Nader Khalil Almoayyed in his visual presentation pointed out that:

The applicant should not be an owner of an individual commercial enterprise or a single person company, or a director or a member of any trading company (allow anyone who is a contributor in the company but not manager or member)

Should provide a permanent mailing address

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39 ideas for a bright future 

In a welcome move, Bahrain has once again made a big step forward in its journey as the most favoured business destination in the Middle East. This time by introducing a new hassle free business friendly solution. Even in times of adversities like the oil induced slowdown and the threats posed by the Daesh to regional security, approaches like these will continue to keep the economy vibrant. ‘Sijili’ can be counted as one such approach. It is expected to do the same- bring more Bahraini businessmen and women into the spotlight. For which, the ministry has given certain guidelines. Below is a list of the commercial activities permitted:

 

Professional, scientific and technical activities

Consultancy in the field of management

Public Relations

Fashion Design

Interior Design

Graphic Design 

Photography 

Translation 

Jewellery Design

Other design activities

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Information and communication activities

10 Software publishing

11 Motion picture, video, and television programs

12  Sound recording and music publishing

13 Computer Consultancy and Computer Facilities Management

14 Computer Programming

15 Data processing, hosting and related activities

16 Operations of websites / web portals

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Educational activities

17 Teach sports (football-basketball-swimming or any other sport)

18 Horse riding 

19 Martial arts

20 Fitness / Yoga

21 Design training programs

22 Arts and drama design

23 Other activities for education and training

Leisure, entertainment and arts activities

24 Production of live theatre performances, concerts and other

25 Sculptors, painters, cartoonists, engravers and others

26 Producers and  organisers of sports events

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Personal service activities

27 Organise personal events activities

28 Repair shoe and leather goods 

29 Repair personal and household goods

30 Iron  all types of clothing, including fur and textiles

31 Laundry textile and fur products 

Administrative and support services activities

32 Packaging - Food Packaging

33 Other business support services

34 Activities related to service and maintenance sites

35 Packaging - packaging cosmetics or herbs

Simple manufacturing industry

36 Manufacture metal products

37 Detailing and stitching and sewing clothes

38 Make textiles

Trade activities 

39 Trade / sell handicrafts, antiques, art galleries, stamps, and archeological currency and equestrian supplies