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Join Date: 05 Mar 2015
Location:  BahrainPosts: 49 |
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Bahrain eVisa policy benefits Indians the most |
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Bahrain eVisa policy benefits Indians the most
Businessmen and tourists from India have been able to derive maximum benefit out of Bahrain’s new visa policy, according to new statistics released by the kingdom. The eVisa facility was extended to Indian nationals in October 2014. Since then, Indians have been issued more eVisas than to the citizens of any other country. Second update Data from October 2014 to February 2015 reveals that 752 Indians received eVisas to the kingdom, said Shaikh Ahmed bin Isa Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs at Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior. It made up approximately 33 per cent of the 2,300 eVisas issued to nationals from 32 newly eligible countries. Indian nationals can apply for an eVisa via the Bahrain government’s eVisa website (www.evisa.gov.bh). The Government of Bahrain has also announced a second phase of updates to the visa policy, which will allow Indian business visitors and tourists to spend longer periods of time in the country. From April 1, 2015, business visas will be valid for a month and are multi-entry, whilst visitor visas are valid for three months and are also multi-entry. Multi-entry visas Indians residents in the GCC will also be eligible to receive multi-entry visas on arrival or through online application, making it easier for expatriates living in the region to travel to Bahrain. Shaikh Ahmed said he was pleased that a significant number of Indians are already benefiting from a greater ease of access into Bahrain, supporting the business and tourism sectors in the Kingdom. The second phase of updates will lead to further benefits for Indian visitors, with increased flexibility and expanded eligibility. Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, said that India is among the most important trading partners, with total non-oil trade in excess of US$1.2 billion per year. Bahrain’s new visa policy will improve access for Indians and Indian businesses to the Bahrain and GCC market, currently worth $1.6 trillion and expected to reach $2 trillion by 2020, he added. Flexible policy The new visa policy is an important development that places Bahrain among the countries with the most flexible visa policies in the region. A number of leading Indian companies have established offices or facilities in Bahrain to access the fast-growing GCC market. They include Chemco, RBH MEDEX, First Flight Couriers, Ion Exchange, Pythhos Technology, Equitec Software Technology, Sun Shed Energy, JBF Industries, Canara Bank, Tech Mahindra, HDFC Bank, Bank of Baroda, Tata Consultancy Services, ICICI Bank and State Bank of India. The new visa policy is also being accompanied by improvements to the individual screening process, ensuring faster and more effective processing of applications. The Bahrain Economic Development Board has overall responsibility for attracting inward investment into Bahrain, and is focusing on target economic sectors in which the Kingdom offers significant strengths. Source:thehindubusinessline http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/bahrain-evisa-policy-benefits-indians-the-most/article7078088.ece |
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