Tamkeen and Southern Governorate sign agreement to launch second edition of “Al Basta” market

Tamkeen and the Southern Governorate today signed a memorandum of understanding with the attendance of a representative National Initiative for Agricultural Development Ms. Asmaa Mohammed, to launch the second edition of “Al Basta” Market, a joint initiative aimed at enhancing trade and attracting visitors from the Southern Governorate and the Kingdom of Bahrain. The project creates a modern and fully equipped market space for more than 360 merchants to display their products free of charge and benefit from other valuable services such as the distribution of promotional material and marketing through the project’s blog. 

The second edition of “Albasta” market comes after the first edition, which saw the participation of more than 200 traders over the course of three months, which comes as part of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development that was launched by her Highness Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Women. 

The second edition is planned to be held in the Bahrain International Circuit. The support of this edition and this project by Tamkeen, comes as part of its efforts to support and develop private sector enterprises to become the engine that fuels economic growth. 

Commenting on the announcement, Tamkeen Chairman and Acting Chief Executive Sheikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa said: “Tamkeen will always continue to support entrepreneurs and business owners in their efforts to develop their businesses, therefore, we are pleased to be part of this initiative that provides productive families and SME’s with an opportunity to expand their customer base and market their products through a new channel, which ultimately helps in growing and developing the national economy.”   

For his part, His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah Bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Governor of the Southern Governorate, said: “After the success of the first edition of “Al Basta” market, the second edition comes to provide yet another opportunity for traders, entrepreneurs, farmers, and craftsmen to market their local products to a large number of visitors from across the Kingdom in an atmosphere that is family and social oriented.” 

This second edition of “Al Basta” Market is planned to be opened in January 2014 after all arrangements and preparations have been finalised.