Issue No. 3 - Feb / 2014
His Royal Highness
Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa
Prime Minister
His Majesty
King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa
King of Bahrain
His Royal Highness
Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa
Crown Prince
Deputy Supreme Commander of the
Bahrain Defense Force
First Deputy Prime Minister
Introduction
Just imagine you come home to find a parcel waiting for you. You are eager to open it to
find out about its contents. You feel the sensation of a wonderful surprise. You check it, try
it and show it off to your friends. Imagine that you are the person who ordered that parcel
and impatiently waited for its arrival until the postman comes over to deliver it to you. That
mail package went through a complex process until it was delivered to your door step with
an ease beyond your expectations.
Welcome…
Before the postman rings your door bell, the package was taken out of the distribution
warehouse which had received it from the shipping company which got it from the merchant. From the merchant you
selected what you wanted via a website perfectly set up for this purpose, and paid by means of credit card, and you entered
your shipping data. This process, beginning with your selection and ending with the delivery, is what is called eCommerce.
Today, our world has grown more and more wired to the Internet and you have become more and more reliant on its many
services. You chat with your friends; you exchange files and images. You track the news of your favourite team. You
download your games on your computer, other portable devices and mobile phones. But are you aware that the service
which opened new horizons and a world full of choices and options for online shopping is known as the eCommerce?
Countries pay great attention to eCommerce due to the important contribution which it makes to the national economy,
The Kingdom of Bahrain is no exception, and has become one of the leading countries which has taken steps to promote
and regulate its’ utilization , by establishing an organization specialized in this field as part of the Ministry of Industry and
Commerce under the name “Directorate of eCommerce and Information Technology”. Ever since its foundation, the
Directorate has actively sought to embrace an ambitious plan to make the Kingdom of Bahrain a preferred centre for
eCommerce by working on plans for social education, spreading awareness among individuals relative to eCommerce and
following up the necessary legislation.
5
eCommerce Concept
When you use websites to pay your telephones bills, to top-up your balance or enter game websites to buy, download or
update your games, and when you enter online shopping and bidding websites to buy through them, you have become
involved in the eCommerce concept.
Definition of eCommerce
eCommerce is a generic term which means any kind of trading or processes relating to the exchange of commodities and
services at any time through electronic channels using what is known as an ePayment gateway. For example, the process
you undertake when you pay your bills via the telephone or the Internet or when you buy a product or service via the
Internet.
Your Requirements for the eCommerce Concept
What do you need to apply the eCommerce concept and conclude the buying process?
You must have an Internet connection.
You must have a valid credit card (you may have your parents’ permission to use theirs). Some banks issue prepaid
credit cards or Internet credit cards which you may top-up at any time.
You must have a shipping address (most eCommerce websites do ship to addresses in Bahrain). You may also have
special addresses in the procurement country from the shipping companies and carriers.
6
Who deals with eCommerce?
The scope of eCommerce transactions as represented in the
diagram above is represented in the following divisions:
Organization to Consumer (O2C)
These are the transactions in which the services are offered
and the applications made by the citizens (consumers) are
processed online by the ministries and organizations, such
as electronic renewal of commercial registration
(www.moic.gov.bh), payment of water and electricity bills
and traffic fines (www.bahrain.bh), reservation of appointments for the smart card or renewal thereof
(www.smartcard.gov.bh).
Business to Organization (B2O)
These are the commercial dealings processed electronically
between businesses and organizations, such as the government authorities, for example the Tender Board with International companies (www.tenderboard.gov.bh).
Business to Business (B2B)
Business to Consumer (B2C)
These are the transactions concluded between businesses
and individuals (consumers) for procurement of products or
services, such as using your computer or smart phone to
access, for instance, eTicket booking (www.gulfair.com) or
hotel booking on (www.ritzcarlton.com) or payment of
telephone billing (www.batelco.com.bh) , (www.zain.com.bh)
and (www.viva.com.bh).
These are the transactions concluded between companies
for buying and selling purposes such as imports and exports
operations, electronic exchange of goods, such as dealings
between auto producers and their agents or electronic
producers with their agents (www.almoayyed.com).
Consumer to Consumer (C2C)
These are the selling and buying operations between
individuals through electronic channels which offer the
product and finalize the payment procedures such as the
online bidding websites (www.ebay.com).
7
The Benefits of eCommerce
Using eCommerce provides you with several benefits and will also be beneficial for the entire community,
both individuals and organizations, because of the availability of Internet connections, ease of access to the
websites and availability of secure payment channels. The benefits may be summarized as the following:
For Consumers:
Enabling consumers to finalize their transactions 24
hours in any day of the year and anywhere through
computers, notebooks or smart phones.
Speedy and easy access to products and companies.
Enables access to premium prices as the commercial
websites do offer discounted prices.
Allows for participation in online biddings.
Grants the consumer adequate time and freedom to
select the goods and products offered online and make
comparisons between them.
Allows the consumers to exchange expertise and
opinions as well as evaluation of the products and
services.
Helps in upgrading the service offered to the consumer.
For Community:
Helps in obtaining international products.
Creates availability and variety in products for
consumers.
Helps the development and promotion of public
services such as health, education and social services.
Helps availability of public services at discounted prices
and higher efficiency, thereby contributing to the
economic development of the country.
Allows for selling goods at lower prices, thereby
contributing to upgrading the community’s standard of
living.
Helps in reducing traffic congestions and bottlenecks
via remote eMarketing.
For Companies:
More effective marketing and greater profits.
More effective product / service marketing via online marketing channels
such as e-mails or social media such as Twitter, Face book and Instagram.
Reduction of the expenses spent by the companies for customer
services and fund collection.
Allows for effective communications between the partners and customers.
Gaining the customer’s satisfaction.
Allows for expanding the market scope and reaching global and international levels.
8
Specify eShopping steps?
eCommerce Channels
These are the channels used for initiating and finalizing
the product and service offers between a consumer and
a service provider, including:
Computer systems with connectivity
Commerce via mobile phone
Online gaming
eBooks
Digital kiosks
I access the shopping website, select the required
product and add it to the shopping cart.
I complete the purchase form which requires information
about the name, shipping address and the email.
I enter the personal data and method of payment such
as: the details of the credit card.
Then, the process is completed and the product is
forwarded to the shipping company.
The shipping company delivers the product to me.
Compact discs
Call centres
Interactive audio systems
Fax on demand service
Smart phones
9
How to purchase
a laptop online? (1)
1. I access the intended website for purchasing ,
such as www.amazon.com
4. Identify the specifications of the product
to be purchased, such as the price, size, weight,
colour and echnical specifications.
10
2. I browse the product list or search directly for
what I want, such as Dell Laptop.
5. I can convert the product price via
www.xe.com
3.I browse the product search results
and select what I need.
6. Identify the approximate price of the product in
Bahraini currency: USD 880 = BHD 332
How to purchase
a laptop online? (2)
7. Upon settling on the required product,
8. I complete the buying process by clicking on
send it to the shopping cart by clicking on the link:
“Proceed to Checkout” button.
Add to Cart
10. I complete the registration of information,
such as the name, email and password.
11. I enter my address to which the product
will be sent and verify its accuracy.
9. I enter the personal information such as
your email address
12. I select a shipping method for delivery
such as: Standard International Shipping.
11
How to purchase
a laptop online? (3)
13. I enter the payment details, such as: the credit card data, number, name of the holder, the expiration date and sometimes the three digits protection
code on the back of the card may be required, followed by verification of the information and conclusion of the purchase order.
14. I wait for 10 to 14 working days according to the website instructions for delivery of the product to the address indicated in the order and acceptance
thereof based on the required specifications.
About Us
The eCommerce and Information Technology Directorate at the
Ministry of Industry and Commerce is the founder, organizer and
promoter of eCommerce in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It engages in
central management of all works and activities related to the
eCommerce on local, regional and global fronts in collaboration
and coordination with the other divisions within the Ministry and
the general organizations in the public and private sectors, in
addition to international organizations.
12
“To establish Bahrain as the “Centre
of Choice” for eCommerce &
Information Technology in the region
by nurturing successful partnerships,
fostering infrastructure development
to serve the citizens, the business and the industrial
community of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and also providing
various logistics for the IT systems in the Ministry of
Industry & Commerce and its employees”
Our Strategy
Encourage businesses sectors, clients
and investors to provide services and
products globally
&
ers d
um
n
ons erce a
s, c
sse Comm re
e
sine
u
t bu nduct struct
o
por
ra
Sup rs to c he inf
sto
ce t
inve enhan
Development of the website
Usage of digital media
Availability of an electronic payment gateway
Issuance of electronic credit card for consumer
Security consultation
Certification by the certified service providers
Electronic promotion for products and services
Our vision
by
ing
ad le
Le amp
Ex
On the other hand, the Directorate offers 25 various
investment opportunities to commercial establishments to
engage in their online activities, including:
The number of establishments in Bahrain, which provides
eCommerce applications, is about 350 through the year
2013.
M
are ost o
ava f M
ila inis
de ble o try’s
vel nli
op ne servic
eM in o es
inis rde
try r to
Create a Medium - and a
long-term strategy to achieve
and implement the Directorate’s
projects that are part of the
overall strategy of the Ministry of
Industry and Commerce in line with the Economic Vision
2030 of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Consolidate electronic applications of the Ministry of
Industry and Commerce in order to establish, support and
update eServices to the public.
Prepare the internal market by supporting the private
sector and urging customers and investors to deal
in eCommerce in order to expand investments in the local
infrastructure for eCommerce and Information Technology.
Apply successful eCommerce initiatives most effectively at
the global level to be applied locally.
Continuous awareness and development.
In addition, the Directorate has created an enabling
regulatory environment by means of the eTransaction Law,
which provides the necessary legal ground for all
transactions related to eCommerce, and which in turn
contributes to the protection of the clients.
Co
m
Glo pet
ba e
lly
Our Mission:
Enable Local
Market
13
The Kingdom of Bahrain has consistently achieved the top
position in the Middle East in a world-wide survey
conducted amongst the world’s most free economies.
Our Work Model
rk
Wo
Pla
Str
ate
gy
n
Center of Choice
for eCommerce
Indicators
Continuous Awareness & Improvement
The Kingdom has signed most international agreements
(WIPO, WTO, FTA - USA).
The Kingdom of Bahrain is one of the first countries to use
Smart Card technology.
The Kingdom of Bahrain has a mature legal infrastructure
and business practices that are internationally accepted.
The Kingdom has the most advanced digital
communications system, and most advanced in the
region.
The eGovernment of the Kingdom of Bahrain has been
ranked No. 36 globally in accordance with the UN’s
eGovernment Preparedness Report for the year 2012.
The volume of the eCommerce retail business in the
Kingdom of Bahrain for the year 2012 reached 7.23% of
the total retail trade in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Is eCommerce a Golden Opportunity
for Bahrain? Yes, because:
The Kingdom of Bahrain is ranked No. 1 globally and
among the Arab states in the Information Technology and
Communications index, compiled by the Knowledge
Economy Index recently issued by the World Bank.
The Kingdom has a relatively small market
yet strategically located at the heart of the
Arabian Gulf, allowing it to become a
gateway to the global market.
eCommerce in the Middle East achieved a growth rate of
190% between the years 2012 and 2013 and eSales value
in the region is expected to grow to 15 billion dollars by
the year 2015.
14
Our eServices:
So what are the requirements?
The Ministry of Industry and
Commerce
web
portal
(www.moic.gov.bh) provides
a number of electronic
services that serve both
commercial companies, businessmen in particular and
citizens in general, in order to conduct business transactions
easily and smoothly, the eServices includes the following:
Not employed in any private or public organization
The applicant age should be more than 18 years old
Academic qualification and certificates (Bachelor BSc.)
Commercial Registration Renewal
Commercial Registration Inquiry
Principle Business Activity
Commercial Activities Inquiry
Commercial Agencies Inquiry
Application Follow up
Latest Commercial Registration
Submit and follow up complaints related to Standardization and Metrologies
Submit and follow up complaints related to Consumer Protection
Daily Prices Index
Citizen Complaints
Ministry mobile services in both English and Arabic
(www.moic.gov.bh/mobile/ar) ، (www.moic.gov.bh/mobile/)
15
A quick step-by-step guide to establish eCommerce-based
business
in Bahrain guide to establish eCommerce-based
A quick step-by-step
(1)
Selection of
Selection
of
eCommerce
ecommerce
activities
activities
business in Bahrain
(2)
Online
business idea
Selection of
legal structure
Businesses can add any activities related to eCommerce to
their commercial registration, such as:
(3)
Selection of
name of the
business
International serial
(4)
(5)
Application for
commercial
registration
Activity
licensing
and
approval
525101
ePromotion for Products and Services
729013
Consultant in eCommerce
729014
eDevelopment and Support Services
729016
Certificate Service Provider
(6)
Issuance of
commercial
registration
Start transacting
16
Activity Name
17
18
Our Tips
Make sure that the website
provides all company details
(including
the
contacts,
address, customer service
numbers, etc...)
It is preferred to use well-known
reputable websites.
You should always use secure websites that can be
identified by the lock signal or start with the URL https://
(and not http://) especially in the page that asks you to
enter your credit card details.
Make sure that the website includes the “Terms of
Agreement” link (service policy, terms of usage, privacy
policy) and should be clearly visible.
Ensure that all specifications of the product/service are
inclusive of all costs and charges.
Make sure of the accuracy and validity of credit card
details (name of cardholder, card number, expiration date,
Card Verfication Value "CVV" code).
Always keep a copy of the purchase order or the
electronic receipt/ invoice.
Review your credit card statements monthly.
Verify the contact numbers and read previous views and
opinions. Be aware of fake promotional offers at the time
of purchase on social networks.
Be careful of any anonymous emails or telephone calls
that request any personal information or credit card
numbers. Note that the service provider will never ask for
such personal or banking information (i.e. password,
Credit Card No …etc.) through email or a telephone call.
The website should provide a secure method of
payment, such as Secured Sockets Layer Protocol (SSL).
The refund and replacement policy should be clear and
obvious on the website when buying products and
goods.
19
Enrich your knowledge!!!
Educational Websites
Learning English Language
BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/
learningenglish/multimedia
Learn English
http://www.go4english.com
English for Arab
http://www.englishforarabs.com
My Happy plane
http://www.myhappyplanet.com
Language Online School
http://www.lolschool.com
English page
http://www.englishpage.com
Adam Rado's
http://www.elfs.com
Daily step
http://www.dailystep.com
English Club
http://www.englishclub.com
Language Guide
http://www.langugeguide.org
Talk English
http://ar.talkenglish.com
Translation
Google
http://www.google.co.uk/translate_t
allwords
http://www.allwords.com
Alqamoos
http://www.alqamoos.com
Merriam Webster Dictionary http://www.merriam-webster.com
Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com
Almisbar
http://www.almisbar.com
Tarjim
http://www.tarjim.com
20
Learning Arabic Language
Sebwieh
Kalimat
Ibnmalek
Alfaseeh
Qwa3ed
School Arabia
Alarabeyya
http://www.sebwieh.8m.com
http://www.kalimet.net
http://www.ibnmalek.8m.com
http://www.alfaseeh.com
http://www.qwa3ed.i8.com
http://www.schoolarabia.net
http://www.alarabeyya.com
Learning Mathematics, Physics, Biology and Chemistry
Hanifi
Maths
http://www.hanifimaths.com
http://www.khayma.com/
fheedmath
Mathdar
http://www.mathdar.com
Explore learning
http://www.exploremath.com
ICT games
http://www.ictgames.com
Learn Physics
http://www.jamal.i8.com
Arab physics
http://www.arabphysics.com
Educational Physics website http://www.hazemsakeek.com/
Physics_Lectures
Hissabe
http://www.hissabe.com
eLearning
http://www.aghandoura.com
Learn Chemistry
http://www.bytocom.com
Kids Biology
http://www.kidsbiology.com
Learn Biology
http://biology.about.com
eBooks
Kutub
PDF Search Engine
Alkitab
Free books centre
eBook Directory
http://www.kutub.info/library
http://www.pdf-search-engine.net/
http://www.alkitab.com/index.html
http://www.freebookcentre.net
http://www.e-booksdirectory.com/
Search Engine:
Arabic and English Search Engines
Yasalam
http://www.yasalaam.net
Ayna
http://www.ayna.com
Google
http://www.google.com.bh
Yahoo
http://www.yahoo.com
eiNET
http://www.einet.net
Meta crawler
http://www.metacrawler.com
AltaVista
http://www.altavista.com
Who Where
http://www.whowhere.com
Bing
http://www.bing.com
Encyclopedia:
Arabic and English Encyclopedias
Kids Websites:
Educational and Entertainment kids websites
Young Consumer
http://www.youngconsumer.bh
Harfkids
http://www.harfkids.com
Kids jo
http://www.kids.jo
Fun brain
http://www.funbrain.com
4 kids
http://www.4kids.org
A game A day
http://www.agameaday.com
Chateau Meddybemp
http://www.meddybemps.com
Dahshan
http://www.dahshan.net
http://www.kidscom.com
Ocean future society
http://www.oceanfutures.org
Kidscom
Encyclopedia Mythica
http://www.pantheon.org
Sliversufers
http://www.silversurfers.net
Wikipedia
http://www.wikipedia.org
Miniclip Free Games
http://www.miniclip.com
Global Arabic Encyclopedia http://www.mawsoah.net
Adhari Park - Bahrain
http://www.adharipark.com.bh
Dahsha
http://www.dahsha.com
Educational Portal- Bahrain http://www.bahrain.khaleejed.com
WikiMaroc
http://www.wikimaroc.com
Al- Osthath
http://www.al-ostath.com
Guinness World Records
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com Learn English Kids
http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org
Country Reports
http://www.countryreports.org
http://www.4kid1.com
Probert Encyclopedia
http://www.probert-encyclopaedia.co.uk Pbs kids
http://www.pbskids.org
Encyclopedia
http://www.encyclopedia.com
http://www.thekidzhome.com
4Kid
Kidz home
21
Shopping & Services Websites:
Amazon
http://www.amazon.com
eBay
http://www.ebay.com
Wallmart
http://www.walmart.com
Yahoo
http://www.shopping.yahoo.com
Cart
http://www.cartbh.com
Souq
http://www.souq.com
Batelco
http://www.batelco.com.bh
Bank of Bahrain & Kuwait http://www.bbkonline.com
Zain
http://www.bh.zain.com
Gulf Air
http://www.gulfairco.com
Internet Safety and
Security Websites:
Stay safe online
http://www.staysafeonline.org
Get Net Wise
http://www.getnetwise.org
Safe Kids
http://www.safekids.com
Get Safe Online
http://www.getsafeonline.org
US Cert
http://www.us-cert.gov
All Internet Security
http://www.all-Internet-security.com
saleem net
http://www.saleemnet.com
Internet Security Websites:
Antivirus, Firewalls, Antispam Software
Norton antivirus
Social Networks:
antivirus
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com
Twitter
http://www.twitter.com
Instagram
http://www.instagram.com
Hi5
http://www.hi5.com
Flickr
http://www.flickr.com.nz
My Space
http://www.myspace.com
Linkedin
http://www.linkedin.com
22
http://www.symantec.com/norton/
MacAfee
http://www.mcafee.com
Free Software Downloads http://www.download.com
Some of Ministries and Government Institutions
Websites that provides eServices:
Governmental Ministries
Ministry of Industry & Commerce http://www.moic.gov.bh
Ministry of Industry & Commerce http://www.moic.gov.bh/mobile
Mobile services
Governmental Directorates
General Directorate of Traffic
http://www.traffic.gov.bh
General Directorate of Nationality, http://www.evisa.gov.bh
Passports and Residence
Bahrain eGovernment Portal
http://www.bahrain.bh
Ministry of Health
http://www.moh.gov.bh
Ministry of Education
http://www.education.gov.bh
Ministry of Interior
http://www.interior.gov.bh
Nuwab Council
Ministry of Transportation
http://www.transportation.gov.bh
Bahrain Economic Development http://www.bahrainedb.com
Ministry of Finance
http://www.mof.gov.bh
Board
Ministry of Municipalities
http://www.municipality.gov.bh
Tender Board
http://www.tenderboard.gov.bh
Supreme Council for Women
http://www.scw.gov.bh
Civil Service Bureau
http://www.csb.gov.bh
Affairs and Urban Planning
Ministry of Social Development
http://www.social.gov.bh
Governmental Authorities
eGovernment Authority
http://www.ega.gov.bh
Civil Aviation Affairs
http://www.caa.gov.bh
Councils and Boards
http://www.nuwab.gov.bh
Other Governmental Entities
Tamkeen( Labor Fund)
http://www.lf.bh
Labor Market Regulatory Authority http://www.lmra.bh
Bahrain International Airport
http://www.bahrainairport.com
Electricity and Water Authority
http://www.mew.gov.bh
General Organization for
http://www.goys.gov.bh
Social Insurance Organization
http://www.sio.gov.bh
Youth & Sports
Telecommunications Regulatory http://www.tra.org.bh
Central Informatics Organization http://www.cio.gov.bh
Authority
University of Bahrain
http://www.uob.edu.bh
23
Glossary
WEB
A system of Internet servers that support
specially formatted documents. The documents are formatted in a
markup language called HTML (HyperText Markup Language) that
supports links to other documents, as well as graphics, audio, and
video files.
Hard Disk
Is part of a unit in the computer device that stores and
provides relatively quick access to large amounts of
data on an electromagnetically charged surface or set of
surfaces.
Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
A standard for Web browsers and servers to communicate.
The definition of HTTP is a technical specification of a
network protocol that software must implement.
HTTP is an application layer network protocol built on top of
TCP. HTTP clients (such as Web browsers) and servers
communicate via HTTP request and
response messages. The three main
HTTP message types are GET, POST, and
HEAD.
HTTPs: The common protocol used to access a secure
Web server.
Certified Service Provider (CSP)
An entity which issues digital certificates for use by other
parties. It is an example of a trusted third party, such as
Are listed questions and answers, all supposed to be frequently asked
VeriSign, CAcert or StartCom certification authority.
in some context, and pertaining to a particular topic in
the website.
(IP Address)
FAQ ( Frequent Asked Questions )
Credit Card
Any card that may be used repeatedly to borrow money
or buy products and services on credit. Issued by banks,
savings and loans, retail stores, and other businesses.
ePayment Method
Is a numerical identification and logical
address that is assigned to devices
participating in a computer network
utilizing the Internet Protocol for
communication between its nodes.
Each computer has an address called "IP address", and it’s
Credit cards (prepaid and postpaid), Deposit cards, eMoney, Digital appear in form of four numbers separated from each other
cash, eCommerce, Electronic Fund Transfer.
points, for example, 123.45.6.
24