Manama: A new quota has been approved to ensure Bahrain’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can compete for government contracts.
The Cabinet yesterday imposed a 10 per cent SME quota on public tenders, as part of a broader effort to support companies that fall into that category.
A 10pc SME quota is already in force for auctions of service facilities at government enterprises.
The decision was taken as His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa chaired the weekly cabinet meeting yesterday.
In another move, the number of assistant under-secretaries at the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry has been slashed from six to four.
Two directorates have also been scrapped, bringing their total number down from 14 to 12, as part of a restructuring recommended by the Civil Service Council, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier.
Meanwhile, a structure was endorsed for a National Space Science Agency (NSSA), which will include a chief executive officer and four directorates.
Efforts to ensure sufficient electricity and water supplies, to cope with increased demand during summer, were also discussed.
Meanwhile, the Premier gave directives to revamp Jidhafs Central Market, fast-track the Raya Highway project in Muharraq, repair any leaks at Hidd’s sewage network and upgrade services supporting Bahrain Logistics Zone and nearby areas, stressing the need to accommodate growing traffic.
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