10-06-2021

The Director of the Family and Childhood Development Directorate at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, Ms. Aisha Mohammed Al-Zayed, stated that the “Khatwa” programme for Home-Based Businesses attracted 254 home business owners since the directives issued by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him, last March. The directives allow online sales practitioners to choose between voluntarily and freely joining the “Khatwa” programme of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development and benefiting from its advantages, or enrolling in the “Sijili” programme of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. Al-Zayed explained that projects registered under the “Khatwa” programme during the past three months—since the issuance of the royal directive—accounted for over 21% of the total number of registered projects since the programme’s inception. This reflects the strong interest from the target group and affirms the success of awareness efforts highlighting the programme’s benefits. She noted that the programme offers numerous advantages, including free legal cover under Resolution No. 39 of 2010 regarding the regulation of productive activities from home (productive houses), in coordination with relevant entities such as the Directorate of Civil Defense at Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Health, and the , depending on the nature of the product. Participants also receive a dedicated identification card and registration certificate for home-based work, access to advanced professional training and beginner-level courses, and the possibility of securing financing through the Family House for Microfinance (FMH). They may also benefit from the optional insurance scheme at the Social Insurance Organization, participate in local and international exhibitions and competitions organised by public and private entities, gain access to product marketing outlets, and renew their permits annually without any fees. In this context, Al-Zayed emphasised that Bahrain has witnessed a notable renaissance in entrepreneurship in recent years, with the rise of entrepreneurs and productive families demonstrating qualities that enable them to succeed in launching their projects. She stressed the need to organise and support such initiatives, which represent a positive turning point for national economic and social projects. She noted that the “Khatwa” programme was specifically designed to serve business owners and individuals interested in home-based work, helping them develop ideas, launch private initiatives, and create valuable employment opportunities.