Bahrain Makes its Mark on Europe's Financial Services
Manama, Bahrain 25 June 2008: This month, senior delegates from the Economic Development Board of Bahrain (EDB) arrived in London for the third annual ‘City and GCC Conference’, highlighting Bahrain’s strong global presence in the financial services sector. Over the coming weeks, the EDB will take centre stage at a further three international conferences, including some of the largest and most prestigious in Europe’s financial calendar.
Alongside the City and GCC Conference on 19th June, of which the EDB was lead sponsor, the Bahraini public agency will also be demonstrating its expertise in funds and Islamic finance by sponsoring both the Fund Forum International conference in Barcelona on 1st-3rd July, the World Islamic Banking Conference: European Summit (WIBC) on 8th July. Meanwhile, Jane Dellar, Managing Director of the EDB’s Bahrain Financial Services (BFS), is also speaking as a panellist at the Chatham House Middle East Financial Centres and the Global Markets Conference on 26th June.
Commenting on Bahrain’s busy schedule over the next month, Jane Dellar said:
“Bahrain’s proactive approach in Europe’s conference calendar is a clear indication of its ever increasing influence in the key growth sectors of the global economy. As the longest established financial centre in the Gulf, Bahrain is keen to make its mark on these key financial events.”
In addition, representing Bahrain’s wealth of experience in the field of Islamic banking will be Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al-Khalifa, Chief Executive of the EDB, and His Excellency Mr. Rasheed M. Al Maraj, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), who will provide the key note address and keynote speech at Europe’s WIBC, respectively.
Speaking about Islamic banking and Bahrain, Sh. Mohammed bin Essa Al-Khalifa commented:
“With Islamic finance continuing to experience extraordinary growth, especially in new international markets, and growing global interest in Sharia products and services, it was a logical move for Bahrain, the Gulf’s centre for Islamic finance, to host a Europe-focused event.”
“There is much that can be learned from Bahrain’s world-class regulatory environment in order to advance the international development of Islamic Finance. As such, the EDB is proud to play significant role at London’s 1st Annual Euro WIBC.”
About The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB)
The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) is a dynamic public agency with an overall responsibility for formulating and overseeing the economic development strategy of Bahrain, and for creating the right climate to attract direct investment into the Kingdom.
More information on the Bahrain EDB is available here: www.bahrainedb.com
Bahrain Financial Services Development is a department of the Economic Development Board which is uniquely dedicated to the needs of the financial services industry and provides a single point of contact for international financial services firms looking to build a base in the Kingdom.
More information on Bahrain Financial Services is available here: www.bahrainfs.com
EDB Mission Statement
Our mission is to grow and diversify Bahrain’s economy by developing a strategy that supports the advancement of a modern and liberalized business environment, encourages inward investment and enables us to compete in the global marketplace.
We are dedicated to raising living standards by creating greater opportunities for our citizens and to make Bahrain the Gulf’s most welcoming, business friendly location. We will accomplish these goals by working in partnership with the public and private sectors, and by being passionate, professional and innovative in all that we do.
For more information, please contact:
Weber Shandwick PR for the EDB and BFS
Bilal Mahmood
Weber Shandwick Financial
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7067 0715
Email: bmahmood@webershandwick.com