Tamkeen contributed nearly BD130,000 ($344,828) in support to 30 companies in Bahrain through the Tarweej scheme to exhibit in the Bahrain Boat Show International 2011 at the Amwaj Marina.

This is part of its ongoing efforts to put private sector enterprises on the right track towards prosperity.

Tarweej is one of the many schemes available to private sector enterprises under Tamkeen's Enterprise Development Support programme.

There was a strong demand from enterprises looking to take part in this prominent event which is held in partnership with the Economic Development Board (EDB), an indicator to the importance of this sector in Bahrain.

Mohammed Al Mosalem, managing director of UCO Engineering, a Bahrain-based company specialising in supplying marine vessels with a wide range of electronic equipment, said he applied through Tamkeen to take part in this event as he aims to enter the leisure boat market and diversify his client base which has been focused primarily on commercial vessels.

2000 Group commercial relations manager Ahmed Saad Al Hasan thanked the EDB and Tamkeen for their support of this prestigious event, and stressed that he looks at this participation as a national duty as it demonstrates the high quality of products and services Bahrain's enterprises offer on the international stage.

He said that Bahrain has been a pioneer in the boating industry and boasts an excellent reputation across the globe, and that this exhibition is a great way to network and discover the latest trends and challenges in the industry.

'Due to its geographical location, Bahrain has long been synonymous with boating and marine activities,' Tamkeen's private sector support senior manager Mohammed Bucheery said.

'This expo will be a great opportunity for companies based in the kingdom to showcase their products and services in front of a large international audience.

'This comes as part of our enterprise development support strategy to help enterprises market their products and to network with their counterparts and clientele,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service