A new financing route is now on the table for Bahrain’s small and medium enterprises, following the launch of the SME Fund through a partnership between Bahrain Development Bank (BDB), the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK), and Al Salam Bank, supported by Tamkeen. The Fund was announced on the sidelines of Gateway Gulf 2025, according to the official Bahrain News Agency announcement.

For founders, the practical detail is simple: applications opened on Monday, 10 November 2025, at BDB’s headquarters in the Diplomatic Area, and they are currently open. BDB has also reiterated that business owners can call or WhatsApp 17511000 for information, including in its applications now open post.

The Fund is managed by BDB and offers Shariaa compliant financing with a total value exceeding USD 185 million, with repayment terms of up to five years. It also aims to lower the effective cost of financing, with Tamkeen supporting beneficiaries through a profit subsidy of up to 50 percent of the profit rate, as described on the official BDB SME Fund page and echoed in the BNA coverage.

The initiative is positioned as part of Bahrain’s wider effort to strengthen the private sector and expand access to finance, with the official announcement also referencing the role of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the SME Development Council in supporting entrepreneurship as a pillar of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030. That same direction shows up in the Tamkeen SME Fund programme page, dated Dec 1, 2025, which frames the Fund as a tool to widen SME access to financing.

Ms. Dalal Al Qais, Group Chief Executive Officer of BDB, said, “The launch of the SME Fund underscores our long standing commitment to supporting Bahraini entrepreneurs and accelerating the growth of this vital sector. Beyond providing capital, our focus is on empowering businesses to expand, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s sustainable economic development. At BDB, we are proud to play an active role in building a more equal and inclusive national economy.” This quote is carried in TradeArabia coverage.

On the banking side, Mr. Usman Ahmed, Group Chief Executive Officer of NBB, added, “This fund marks a turning point for Bahrain’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. By combining the scale and experience of leading financial institutions with the support of national enablers, we are fostering a strong foundation for SME growth.” The same statement is also included in TradeArabia’s report.

If you are considering this route, start with the official SME Fund overview, then move straight to the SME Fund application form so you can confirm the required fields, prepare documents, and speak to BDB early if anything is unclear.