Bahrain has rolled out a new digital service for agricultural import permits, cutting processing time from four working days to just one, as part of government efforts to enhance public services.
The initiative, unveiled by the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry, allows importers to apply for permits for plants, plant products, fertilisers, soil enhancers and pesticides through the ministry’s website and the national eGovernment portal.
The service is aimed at unifying procedures, accelerating transactions and strengthening Bahrain’s global performance indicators related to streamlined customs clearance.
Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry Agriculture Under-Secretary Assem Abdullatif said the move reflected the ministry’s commitment to digital transformation and business facilitation.
“This service comes as part of the ministry’s adoption of innovative digital solutions that enhance service efficiency and strengthen integration between entities involved in agricultural trade,” he said. “It contributes to improving the business environment, accelerating procedures and ensuring a smoother experience for importers.”
Under the revamped system, the time required to issue an agricultural import permit has been reduced from four working days to just one. The number of procedural steps and required approvals has also been significantly cut.
The platform is electronically linked to several government databases, including commercial registration records, enabling automatic verification of applicant information. Once the application is approved and fees are paid electronically, users can immediately issue and print their permits without the need to visit ministry offices.
The service also allows applicants to issue, renew, amend or delete requests online. A unified fee mechanism has been introduced, consolidating payments into a single stage to simplify transactions.
To enhance transparency and security, each permit is equipped with a QR code that enables instant verification of its authenticity.
Mr Abdullatif
Mr Abdullatif said the launch builds on ongoing reforms aimed at facilitating international trade and improving user experience.
“The introduction of this service marks another step in developing services linked to international trade movement,” he said. “It is designed to simplify procedures, improve customer journey and provide innovative electronic services that align with the kingdom’s digital transformation requirements.”
More than 1,300 government services have been documented, translated and published as part of the national development drive. Around 800 of those services have undergone redevelopment or re-engineering, based on feedback and proposals submitted through the national suggestions and complaints system ‘Tawasul’, investor observations and secret shopper evaluation reports.
In addition, guidance manuals and service-level agreements have been introduced to boost efficiency, improve service quality and enhance the overall customer experience.
Mr Abdullatif said the agricultural import permit service is a model for how digital innovation can reduce waiting time while safeguarding regulatory standards – a move expected to benefit importers, traders and the wider agricultural sector.
“By cutting waiting times and eliminating in-person visits, we hope the new system will strengthen Bahrain’s competitiveness, reinforce transparency and support the kingdom’s long-term digital government strategy,” he added.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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