The Bahrain IT Expo 2014 opened yesterday (April 22) with more than 80 exhibitors, resulting in the doubling of exhibition space to accommodate the increased local and international demand.

The two-day expo at the Bahrain International Circuit's (BIC) Paddock Hall was inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister and Supreme Committee for Information and Communication Technology chairman Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

It is part of the seventh edition of Bahrain International eGovernment Forum.

Shaikh Mohammed launched new mobile apps, including the Civil Service Bureau app and the Works Ministry's Fix2Go app, both being implemented in co-operation with the eGovernment Authority (eGA).

He also launched eGA's latest app 'Profile Manager' which facilitates all payments made through the eGovernment portal.

Shaikh Mohammed toured the exhibition, visiting stands and workshops.


Transportation Minister Kamal Ahmed expressed his delight at the opening of the next generation eGovernment portal.

"Portal Plus" represents the beginning of a breakthrough into the future, he said, adding that it is the first integrated portal in the Gulf and Middle East.

It was launched by Shaikh Mohammed during the official opening ceremony of Bahrain International eGovernment Forum 2014 at the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel and Spa.

Meanwhile, the Bahrain Internet Society's two-day workshop on e-content management opened yesterday at the BIC on the sidelines of the forum.

"The workshop aims to spread awareness on information and communication technology, knowledge and applications," forum organising committee chairman Nawaf Abdulrahman said. – TradeArabia News Service