Bahrain’s leading telecommunications company, Batelco, in partnership with MasterCard, has launched Batelco Altijara, a new product targeting SMEs providing them with the facility to build their own online shop.

One of the major benefits of the first-of-its-kind service is that no technical expertise is needed to establish the online shop, a statement from the company said. Businesses can customise their web shop design by using ready-to-go templates. There are over 100 ready templates to choose from with fully customisable layouts.

As part of the new service, Batelco’s business customers can upload their product catalogue with product images and descriptive details.

The merchants will also have access to various marketing tools such as eTracker allowing the site owner to monitor visitor statistics and behaviours. Additionally, it is possible to send newsletters directly to the list of customers registered on the website to keep them up to date with details of new products or service enhancements. 

Furthermore, the merchant will have an overview of all orders placed and be able to monitor the whole process from ordering to payment through to delivery.

Batelco showcased the new product at Batelco CommTech and Meet ICT, the major seminars and forum for SME’s high tech people.

Business customers can apply for the new service online at the company’s website. Customers can enjoy the product with minimal setup fees and affordable monthly charges, with the first 100 customers to benefit from free-of-charge set up for the service.

Once the set-up is complete customers can start selling online and accepting payments by electronic payment card. However, each business needs to activate a merchant account from Batelco’s acquiring bank which is National Bank of Bahrain (NBB).  

Rashid Abdulla, CEO, Batelco Bahrain, said: “We are really delighted to be the first and only provider in the Middle East region to deliver this unique service. With online shopping services becoming increasingly commonplace, and with the lack of such services available locally, Batelco Altijara will give local businesses the opportunity to reach out to a wider audience by selling their products and services via their own online shop.”

“One of the big advantages of Batelco Altijara is its simplicity as no programming skills are required in order to set up the online shopping service and furthermore controlling the web shop is very easy to do via the online portal.”

Raghu Malhotra, division president, Middle East and North Africa, MasterCard Worldwide, said: “MasterCard’s collaboration with Batelco is the first in the Mena region and is a testament to our commitment towards engaging with local businesses and developing tailored solutions that address their needs.”

“Healthy growth of the SME segment is crucial towards maintaining a sustainable economic model for any country. Batelco Altijara will achieve just that,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service