April / 2011
Ministry of Industry & Commerce
eCommerce and Information Technology Directorate
P.O Box: 5479 Manama Kingdom of Bahrain
Tel.: 17574806 Fax: 17530276
www.moic.gov.bh
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 Bahrain Defence Force
eCommerce has reached a massive
development in recent years, due to
the rapid growth and widespread
availability of the internet with its
Welcome… various usages, which has become a
modern life necessity.
Countries all over the world
observed
the
importance
of
eCommerce and its application. The
Kingdom of Bahrain was one of the first countries to take
the first steps in forming a specialized directorate for this
field, named the “Directorate of eCommerce & IT in the
Ministry of Industry & Commerce”. This directorate has
adopted a strategy that depends on establishing Kingdom of
Bahrain as the (Center of Choice) for eCommerce in the
region through creating cultural awareness among all
society members.
Who deals with eCommerce?
What is eCommerce?
eCommerce is a general term that
refers to any type of activity or
transaction which deal with the
exchange of goods and services at
any time electronically through
electronic channels.
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Business to Organization (B2O)
Who deals with eCommerce?
Business to Consumer (B2C)
Describes activities of businesses serving end consumers
with products and/or services, such as the eTicket booking,
online hotel booking, online payment for phone bills.
Local famous websites: www.gulfair.com-www.bahrainair.netwww.batelco.com-www.bh.zain.com-www.ritzcarlton.com
Organization to Consumer (O2C)
Includes the provision of services and transactions by the
organizations to the individuals and citizens through the
Internet, such as the government services to the citizens for
example: online commercial registration, online payment for
the electricity & water bill, online payment of traffic
contraventions, applying for an eVisa, public libraries
services, check up appointment.
Local famous websites: Bahrain eGovernoment web portal
www.bahrain.bh, Ministry of Industry & Commerce web
portal www.moic.gov.bh
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Includes the online business transactions between the
organizations and the companies, such as the government
organizations dealing with the international companies.
Local famous websites: Bahrain Tender Board web portal
www.tenderboard.gov.bh
Business to Business (B2B)
Describes commerce transactions between businesses, such
as between a manufacturer and a wholesaler, or between a
wholesaler and a retailer, for example the auto companies
or electronic devices companies dealing with its agents.
Local famous websites: Y.K Almoayyed & sons web portal
www.almoayyed.com
Consumer to Consumer (C2C)
Involves the electronically-facilitated transactions between
consumers through some third party and the common
example is the online auction.
Global famous websites: www.ebay.com - www.amazon.com
What are eCommerce benefits?
For Community:
For Individuals:
Global accessibility to products
Available 24/7/365
Development of public services
Easy access to products and companies
Provides Special prices
Development of the country’s economy
Bid in virtual auctions
Raising the standard of living of the society
Free choice of goods
Reduce the traffic
Exchange experiences and views
Help to improve the service level provided
For Companies:
Shop for more effective, more
profits
Reduce expenses
Communicate effectively
partners and customers
with
Increase User’s Satisfaction
Extends the scope to an
international and global wise
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Do you know what is eCommerce channels?
eCommerce channels are channels that will exchange the
service or the product between the providing parties and the
consumer, such as:
Computers connected with Internet
Mobile commerce ( mCommerce)
Digital kiosks
Compact Discs (CDs)
Call centers
Interactive voice response system
Fax – on demand
Smart phones
8
Specify eShopping steps?
How to purchase
a laptop online?
1. Select the intended website for purchasing
Example: www.amazon.com
2. Search for the purchased products
Example: Dell Laptop
3. Select the desired product
4. Check the product specifications
i.e. price, size, weight, color and characteristics
5. Convert the price of the product via
www.xe.com
6. Check the exchange rate price in Bahraini Dinar
USD 879.99 = BHD 331.804
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How to purchase
a laptop online?
10
7. Add the product to the shopping cart
8. Click on Proceed to Checkout to
complete the purchase process
9. Register personal information
such as email address, etc.
10. Complete registration data
such as: Name, Email address and password
11. Fill in the mailing address of choice and
make sure it is accurate
12. Choose the preferred shipping method
Example: Standard International Shipping
How to purchase
a laptop online?
13. Enter the payment data, for example: credit card details, credit card holder, expiration date and sometimes required to enter data protection number
which contain 3 digits that will be found behind the card. Then, make sure that the final card details are completed. Finally, complete the procurement process
14. Delivery usually takes between 10 to 14 working days, or as otherwise stated on the website.
About Us
The Directorate of eCommerce and Information technology
at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce is the regulator /
promoter of eCommerce in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is the
focal point and the functional arm for all activities related to
eCommerce, both on local and international fronts, in liaison
with other directories within the Ministry and other related
organizations in the public and private sectors.
11
Our Vision
Establish a strong partnership
between the government and
private sector, and to ensure
implementation of ‘Electronic
Transaction Laws’
Promote and support eCommerce infrastructure to
facilitate doing business online
Help small, medium and large businesses to incorporate
ICT and eCommerce activities into their business
Spread and expand the eCommerce awareness to
enhance confidence in online activities
On the other hand, the directorate offers 25 different
investment opportunities to institutions that wish to practice
eBusiness, such as:
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
In addition to restricting the business transactions by the
eTransaction Law which provides the necessary legal ground
for all transactions related to eCommerce, which in turn
contributes to the protection of the clients.
And the number of institutions in Bahrain, which provides
eCommerce applications, is approximately 30 companies.
To establish Bahrain as the
(Center
of
Choice)
for
eCommerce in the region by
nurturing successful partnerships
and
fostering
infrastructure
development to serve the Citizens
and Business community.
Encourage businesses, consumers &
investors to provide services and
products globally
&
ers d
um
n
ons erce a
s, c
mm
sse
sine ct eCo cture
u
t bu
ru
ond
por
rast
Sup rs to c he inf
sto
ce t
inve enhan
Co
m
Glo pet
ba e
lly
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
Our Strategy
by
ing
ad le
Le amp
Ex
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Our Role
Enable Local
Market
The Kingdom of Bahrain has consistently achieved the
top position in the Middle East in the world-wide survey
conducted by 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
Is eCommerce a Golden Opportunity
for Bahrain? Yes, because:
The Kingdom of Bahrain has small
market where strategically located at
the heart of the Arabian Gulf,
allowing it to become a gateway to
the global market
The Kingdom has singed most international agreements
(WIPO, WTO, FTA - USA)
The Kingdom of Bahrain is one of the first countries
which used the Smart Card technology
The Kingdom of Bahrain has a mature legal
infrastructure and business practices that is
internationally accepted
The Kingdom has the most advanced digital
communications systems and most advanced in the region
Kingdom of Bahrain is ranked No. 1 among Arab nations
for economic freedom, according to the Economic
Freedom of the Arab World: 2010 Annual Report
Kingdom of Bahrain ranked 37th among 139 countries in
the Global Competitiveness Index according to the World
Economic forum 2010
Kingdom of Bahrain ranks first position in the Arab Gulf
countries according to the UN Information Technology
index 2010
Bahrain eGovernment ranked 1st in middle east, 3rd in
Asia and 13th worldwide in the 2010 UN eGovernment
Development Report
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Our eServices
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:
International serial # Activity Name
749974
E-commerce services
525101
E-Promotion for Products and Services
729013
Consultant in e-Commerce
729014
eDevelopment and Support Services
729015
Web Sites Management
Commercial Registration Renewal
729016
Certificate Service Provider
Commercial Registration Inquiry
525101
e-Market Place
Commercial Activities Inquiry
Commercial Agencies Inquiry
Submit and follow up complaints related to Standardization
and Metrologies
Submit and follow up complaints related to Consumer
Protection
Daily Prices Index
Business Principal Activity
Citizen complains
Presenting the ministry mobile services in both English
and Arabic
(www.moic.gov.bh/mobile/ar), (www.moic.gov.bh/mobile/)
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Thus, the businessmen can add any related activities to
eCommerce to their commercial registration, such as:
So what are the requirements?
Not employed in any private or public organization
The applicant age should be more than 18 years old
Academic qualifications and certificates (Bachelor BSc.)
Our Tips
Make
website
The refund and replacement policy should be clear and
sure
that
the
provides
all
obvious on the website when buying products and
goods.
company details (including
Make sure of the accuracy and validity of credit card
the contacts, address,
details (name of cardholder, card number, expiration
customer service numbers,
date, Card Verification Value “CVV” code).
etc...)
Always keep a copy of the purchase order or the
It is preferred to use well-known reputable sites.
electronic receipt / invoice.
You should always used secure sites that can be
Review your credit card statements every month.
identified by the lock signal or start with the URL
https:// (and not http://) especially in the page that ask
you to enter your credit card details
Be careful from any anonymous emails or telephone
calls that request any personal information or credit
card numbers. Note that the service provider will never
Make sure that the website includes the “Terms of
ask for such personal or banking information (i.e.
Agreement” link (service policy, terms of usage, privacy
password, Credit Card No…etc.) through email or a
policy) and should be clearly visible.
telephone call.
Specifications of the Product/service should include all costs.
The website should provide a secure method of
payment, such as Secured Sockets Layer Protocol (SSL).
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Learning Arabic Language
Sebwieh
http://www.sebwieh.8m.com
Enrich your knowledge!!!
Kalimat
http://www.kalimet.net
Educational Websites
Ibnmalek
http://www.ibnmalek.8m.com
Alfaseeh
http://www.alfaseeh.com
Qwaed
http://www.qwa3ed.i8.com
Learning Arabic
http://www.schoolarabia.net/arabic
Learning English Language
BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/
learningenglish/multimedia
http://www.go4english.com
English For Arab
http://www.englishforarabs.com
Hanifi
http://www.hanifimaths.com
My Happy plane
http://www.myhappyplanet.com
Math
http://www.khayma.com/fheedmath
Language Online School
http://www.lolschool.com
Mathdar
http://www.mathdar.com
English to you
http://www.english2u.com/freelessons.html
English Listening Lounge
http://www.englishlistening.com
Explore learning
http://www.exploremath.com
English page
http://www.englishpage.com
ICT games
http://www.ictgames.com
Adam Rado’s
http://www.elfs.com
Physics
http://www.jamal.i8.com
Daily step
http://www.dailystep.com
Arabphysics
http://www.arabphysics.com
Translation
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Learning Mathematics, Physics, Biology and Chemistry
Learn English
Google
http://www.google.co.uk/translate_t
allwords
http://www.allwords.com
Ajeeb
http://www.ajeeb.com
Alqamoos
http://www.alqamoos.com
Physics Education Center http://www.hazemsakeek.com/
Physics_Lectures
eBooks
Kutub
http://www.kutub.info/library
PDF Search Engine
http://www.pdf-search-engine.net/
Merriam- Webster dictionary http://www.merriam-webster.com
Alkitab
http://www.alkitab.com/index.html
Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com
Free books centre
http://www.freebookcentre.net/
Almisbar
http://www.almisbar.com
eBooks directory
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
Kids Consumer
http://www.youngconsumer.bh
AltaVista
http://www.altavista.com
Harfkids
http://www.harfkids.com
Ebhth
http://www.ebhth.com
Who Where
http://www.whowhere.com
Kids jo
http://www.kids.jo
Bing
http://www.bing.com
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
Encyclopedia:
Arabic and English Encyclopedias
Kids Websites:
Educational and Entertainment kids websites
Ocean future society
http://www.oceanfutures.org
Encyclopedia Mythica
http://www.pantheon.org
British Encyclopedia
http://www.britannica.com
Dahshan
http://www.dahshan.net
Wikipedia
http://www.wikipedia.org
Kidscom
http://www.kidscom.com
Sliversufers
http://www.silversurfers.net
Global Arabic Encyclopedia http://www.mawsoah.net
Dahsha
http://www.dahsha.com
WikiMaroc
http://www.wikimaroc.com
Miniclip Free Games
http://www.miniclip.com
Guinness World Records
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com
Adhari Park - Bahrain
http://www.adharipark.com.bh
Country Reports
http://www.countryreports.org
Probert Encyclopedia
http://www.probert-encyclopaedia.co.uk
Educational Portal- Bahrain http://www.bahrain.khaleejed.com
Encyclopedia
http://www.encyclopedia.com
Al- Osthath
http://www.al-ostath.com
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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
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
Bank of Bahrain & Kuwait http://www.bbkonline.com
Get Safe Online
http://www.getsafeonline.org
Zain
http://www.bh.zain.com
US Cert
http://www.us-cert.gov
Gulf Air
http://www.gulfairco.com
All Internet Security
http://www.all-internet-security.com
Bahrain Air
http://www.bahrainair.net
Internet Security Websites:
Antivirus, Firewalls, Antispam Software
Social Networks:
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Facebook
www.facebook.com
My Space
www.myspace.com
Hi5
www.hi5.com
LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com
Twitter
www.twitter.com
Norton antivirus
http://www.symantec.com/norton/antivirus
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.go v.bh
Ministry of Industry &
http://www.moic.gov.bh/mobile
Governmental Directorates
General Directorate of Traffic http://www.traffic.gov.bh
General Directorate of Nationality, http://www.evisa.gov.bh
Commerce Mobile services
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 Board http://www.bahrainedb.com
Ministry of Finance
http://www.mof.gov.bh
Tender Board
http://www.tenderboard.gov.bh
Ministry of Municipality
http://www.municipality.gov.bh
Supreme Council for Women
http://www.scw.gov.bh
Civil Service Bureau
http://www.csb.gov.bh
Governmental Authorities
eGovernment Authority
http://www.bahrain.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 Youth & Sports http://www.goys.gov.bh
Social Insurance Organization http://www.sio.gov.bh
Central Informatics Organization http://www.cio.gov.bh
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority http://www.tra.gov.bh
University of Bahrain
http://www.uob.edu.bh
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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.
FAQ (Frequent Asked Questions)
Are listed questions and answers, all supposed to be frequently
asked in some context, and pertaining to a particular topic in
the website.
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
Credit cards (prepaid and postpaid), Deposit cards, eMoney,
Digital cash, eCommerce, Electronic Fund Transfer.
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Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP), (HTTPs)
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
VeriSign, CAcert or StartCom certification authority.
(IP Address)
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
appear in form of four numbers separated from each other
points, for example, 123.45.67.89