Nineteen Bahraini farmers and enterprises backed by Tamkeen demonstrated their excellence at the Bahrain International Garden Show (BIGS) 2010.

The three-day show, under His Majesty King Hamad's patronage and supported by his wife Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Women chairwoman, concluded yesterday.

The farmers and enterprises took part through the Growth Assistance Scheme (GAS), one of several offered by Tamkeen under its Enterprise Development Support (EDS) programme.

Tamkeen covered the full cost of the farmers' participation while supporting 60-90 per cent of the enterprises' participation, enabling them to showcase their products and services at the Tamkeen stand to international exhibitors, delegates, and visitors.

The national enterprises attracted much attention from visitors to the show, which provided an opportunity for Bahraini companies in the agriculture and landscaping sector to introduce themselves, compete with other companies, and explore new markets.

'I am delighted that the participants drew so much attention this year, which reflects the value of our EDS programme and the role it plays in promoting national talents and helping Bahraini enterprises realise their ambitions in line with Economic Vision 2030,' said Tamkeen's private sector support senior manager Mohammed Bucheery.

'I urge Bahraini entrepreneurs wishing to develop their businesses to benefit from Tamkeen's programmes, which are especially designed to boost the efficiency and productivity of Bahraini companies in all sectors.'

One of the participants through Tamkeen was Mohammed Hussein Al Jabouri's shop which specialises in palm tree designs and products. Its team designed and built Tamkeen's large multi-kiosk stand - which has won two of 'best of stand' for the overall stand of Tamkeen and Al Wadi section - using palm branches and leaves and other traditional materials.

Al Jabouri, who developed his hobby into a business, exports his attractive designs to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Germany.

Encouraged by his positive experience with Tamkeen's Mohasaba Scheme, which assists in managing accounts, Al Jabouri opted for the GAS.

He praised Tamkeen and the KPMG Fakhro team, who manage the EDS programme, for providing him with the opportunity to design and build the entire pavilion.

'I hope that such local industries will be further supported and a special institute established to preserve and promote traditional handicrafts in light of the huge local and regional demand for them,' he said.

Al Sayegh Agricultural Establishment owner Abdulla Ahmed Al Sayegh said this was his first participation in a Tamkeen programme.

He commended the support he and his exhibiting colleagues from the agricultural sector received, and said the sophisticated yet expedient application process encouraged them to repeat the experience in the near future.

According to him, farmers, like plants, need constant care and attention to grow, and hoped that more such support will be offered to national talents in all sectors.-TradeArabia News Service