Bahraini MP highlights challenges faced by SMEs due to service fees

TDT | Manama     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bahrain are grappling with the weight of service fees, as highlighted by a prominent Member of Parliament (MP).

Strategic Thinking Bloc president Ahmed Al Salloom has urged the government to reassess the fees levied on companies, particularly those burdening micro and small businesses.

MP Al Salloom contends that employing a “one-size-fits-all” approach to fees is unjust. “It is inequitable to impose uniform fees on micro-sized enterprises and large corporations,” he asserted.

In an interview with the Daily Tribune, the MP stressed the necessity for a revised fee structure that is “equitable and responsive to the economic climate.” He believes such a review would safeguard small businesses from being forced out of the market due to financial strain.

While acknowledging the government’s efforts to enhance the efficiency and fairness of direct subsidies, MP Al Salloom expressed apprehension regarding the pace of progress. He called for the joint committee overseeing these reforms to “intensify meetings and establish a clear timetable for completing its tasks.”

Dr. Abdulhasan Al-Dairi, Chairman of Bahrain SMEs, echoed MP Al Salloom’s apprehensions, particularly concerning the impact of fees associated with Company Registration (CR), Chamber of Commerce memberships, notary fees (where applicable), bank charges for opening business accounts, and “Nehra” licences essential for medical enterprises.

“The prosperity of SMEs contributes directly to the national economic well-being, and conversely,” Al-Dairi informed the Daily Tribune. The significance of SMEs in Bahrain cannot be overstated, with over 80,000 enterprises constituting more than 90% of the country’s business landscape. “These enterprises serve as the backbone of the national economy,” he emphasised.