Latest news with #BahrainEconomicDevelopmentBoard
Miami Herald
13 hours ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Fintech Forward Set to Return to Bahrain and Gather the Most Influential Leaders in Finance at its Third Edition in October 2025
Fintech Forward 2025 will be programmed by Economist Impact and hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board MANAMA, BAHRAIN / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2025 / The Kingdom of Bahrain is gearing up for its third edition of Fintech Forward, which will be hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) and programmed by Economist Impact. Bringing together the best and brightest minds in payments, fintech, and the broader financial ecosystem, Fintech Forward has cemented itself as a leading regional event, where industry trailblazers, investors, and financial players come to exchange knowledge, celebrate milestone successes, and level up connections. The upcoming edition of the region's flagship financial services event, Fintech Forward 2025 (FF25), will take place on October 8-9 at Exhibition World Bahrain, hosted in collaboration with the Central Bank of Bahrain and supported by Bahrain FinTech Bay. Featuring keynotes, panel discussions and interactive sessions, the two-day event will spotlight opportunities and challenges for fintechs and highlight notable successes to learn from. Held under the banner "The era of integration: the maturing age of fintech", FF25 will bring together fintech experts, financial firms, governments and regulators from around the world to discuss trending themes, share insights, and exchange knowledge to further advance the industry. The event will cover a wide range of topics related to the industry, including the shift from rapid growth to sustainable maturity, the emergence of embedded infrastructure and advanced technologies, the focus on trust, regulation, and integration over disruption, as well as the lasting and increased collaboration between regulators, sovereign investors, and traditional banks. Bahrain, the host country for this global event, has a robust financial services sector that combines traditional banking with innovative fintech firms, including crypto assets, digital payments and open banking solutions. The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), which serves as the country's single regulator, has played a vital role in fostering fintech innovation through its dedicated Fintech Innovation Unit and pioneering regulatory frameworks. The CBB's onshore Regulatory Sandbox, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, provides a secure environment for local and international fintech companies to test and develop new technologies, supporting the growth of a resilient and compliant fintech ecosystem. Building on the success of previous editions, which drew participants from across the globe, Fintech Forward has established itself as a key platform for industry leaders to share insights, foster collaboration, and drive regional fintech advancement. For more information and to register interest in Fintech Forward 2025, please visit the website. Media can register here for a partnership. # ENDS # For more information, please contact: Abdulelah AbdullaCommunications DepartmentEconomic Development BoardPhone: +973-39798919E-mail: internationalmedia@ About Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) is an investment promotion agency with overall responsibility for attracting investment into the Kingdom and supporting initiatives that enhance the investment climate. Bahrain EDB works with the government and both current and prospective investors to ensure that Bahrain's investment climate is attractive, to communicate the key strengths, and to identify where opportunities exist for further economic growth through investment. Bahrain EDB focuses on several economic sectors that capitalise on Bahrain's competitive advantages and provide significant investment opportunities. These sectors include financial services, manufacturing, logistics, ICT and more information on the Bahrain EDB, visit SOURCE: Bahrain Economic Development Board
Biz Bahrain
27-05-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
Bahrain's AI Sector Witnesses 17% Annual Growth, Paving the Way for Retail
Innovation Bahrain is experiencing a robust surge in artificial intelligence investments, with AI adoption in the retail and marketing sectors growing at an estimated 17% annually. This technological leap is helping redefine how businesses communicate with consumers, moving beyond traditional advertising to real-time, data-informed storytelling. The A&M Awards hosted by FancyTech spotlighted this transformation, honoring brands that have embraced AI-driven marketing innovation. While FancyTech played a supportive role in the event, its influence was unmistakable—pushing the boundaries of what's possible in digital marketing. FancyTech's end-to-end content platform allows brands to generate multiple creative variations using automated tools. For Bahrain-based marketers, this means achieving greater campaign diversity and speed without increasing costs. The impact is clear: brands are now able to test, adapt, and respond in ways that were previously impractical or expensive. 'Artificial Intelligence is a key pillar of Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030. We are empowering industries to adopt AI through national frameworks and training programs,' – Bahrain Economic Development Board. 'Marketing powered by AI helps brands break free from one-size-fits-all content. We're seeing the impact of hyper-personalization across the Gulf,' said William Li, CEO of FancyTech. Retail businesses across Bahrain are aligning their strategies with consumer expectations for relevance and immediacy. AI is empowering teams to deliver personalized messages that speak to specific demographics—on social media, web, and offline platforms. FancyTech's quiet but strategic presence is contributing to a growing ecosystem of innovation in Bahrain's digital economy. The awards also highlighted the efficiency gains that AI brings. Traditional production cycles are being replaced by streamlined, intelligent systems that reduce manual workload and improve creative agility. For smaller businesses and startups in Bahrain, this creates a level playing field—where quality content no longer depends solely on big budgets. As the country accelerates its national digital agenda, tools like those offered by FancyTech are becoming vital for staying competitive. The company's model of smart automation, paired with human insight, is setting a new standard in marketing execution. The A&M Awards revealed that Bahrain is ready—and already on its way—to becoming a beacon of AI-powered brand transformation in the region.
Biz Bahrain
22-05-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
Bahraini Delegation Participates in the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit in Riyadh
An all-female delegation from the Kingdom of Bahrain, headed by H.E. Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, participated today in the Fortune's Most Powerful Women International Summit held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Convening under the theme 'New Era for Business: Partnering for Global Prosperity,' this marks Fortune's first international summit in the Middle East. The two-day summit brought together influential female business leaders from across the region and beyond to explore key forces shaping the global business landscape and, specifically, how the public and private sectors can partner to supercharge innovation and growth. In addition to H.E. Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, the delegation includes Rana Ebrahim Faqihi, Chief Executive Officer of the National Bureau of Revenue; Sara Ahmed Buhejji, Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority; and Hala Ali Yateem, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the National Bank of Bahrain. During the event, H.E. Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif participated in a fireside chat titled 'MPW Spotlight: Bahrain's Path to Economic Transformation,' highlighting the Kingdom's achievements in economic growth and diversification, with focus on innovation, sustainability, and investment attraction. The session also discussed how Bahrain is building a strong environment for businesses to thrive, as well as efforts around developing a future-ready workforce. Hala Ali Yateem also participated in the panel discussion titled 'Driving Growth and Innovation in a Changing World' sharing her perspectives on navigating the evolving financial services landscape and the importance of consistently adapting to a rapidly shifting global economy. The participation of the all-female Bahraini delegation in this invitation-only conference exemplifies Bahrain's dedication to empowering women as key drivers of economic progress and innovative change. Bahrain is a global leader in closing the gender skills gap, with the Kingdom's ranking among the top five globally for girls outperforming boys in learning outcomes, according to the World Economic Forum and World Bank.
Daily Tribune
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Showcases Female Leadership at Fortune's Most Powerful Women International Summit in Saudi Arabia
Bahrain made a strong statement on global economic leadership and gender empowerment as an all-female delegation, led by Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), participated in the inaugural Fortune Most Powerful Women International Summit held in Saudi Arabia. Hosted under the theme "New Era for Business: Partnering for Global Prosperity," the two-day summit marked Fortune's first-ever international event in the Middle East. It brought together influential female leaders from across the region and the world to explore emerging trends in the global business landscape and foster collaboration between the public and private sectors. The Bahraini delegation also included prominent figures: Rana Ebrahim Faqihi, CEO of the National Bureau of Revenue; Sara Ahmed Buhejji, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA); and Hala Ali Yateem, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB). Minister Alkhulaif featured in a fireside chat titled 'MPW Spotlight: Bahrain's Path to Economic Transformation,' where she outlined the Kingdom's progress in economic diversification, sustainability, and innovation. She emphasized Bahrain's strategic initiatives to attract investment, build a resilient business ecosystem, and cultivate a future-ready workforce. In another session, Hala Yateem took part in a panel discussion, 'Driving Growth and Innovation in a Changing World,' where she discussed the dynamic challenges in financial services and the necessity of agility in a rapidly evolving global economy. Bahrain's presence at this invitation-only summit underscored its commitment to empowering women as leaders and changemakers in the economic sphere. The Kingdom continues to lead in closing the gender skills gap, ranking among the world's top five countries where girls outperform boys in educational outcomes, according to data from the World Economic Forum and the World Bank.
Biz Bahrain
09-05-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
Bahrain Delegation Wraps up a Successful Visit to Malaysia
A delegation from the Kingdom of Bahrain, headed by H.E. Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, and H.E. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, successfully concluded a two-day strategic visit to Malaysia. The strategic visit aimed to deepen economic ties, foster investment opportunities, and explore collaboration between the two countries. The Bahraini delegation held fruitful discussions with prominent Malaysian officials across both days of the strategic visit, meeting with His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia on the first day. On day two, the delegation held strategic ministerial meetings with Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI) Minister, wherein MITI is the main ministry in Malaysia that champions Malaysian industries' transformation as well as the development of investment and trade policies. MITI plays a vital role in developing the Malaysian economic landscape encouraging its transition to being driven by digitisation, advanced technology, and sustainability. The strategic visit additionally included a meeting with Datuk Ewon Benedick, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MECD) Minister. The Bahrain delegation's successful visit to Malaysia marks a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral relations. The discussions across both days highlighted shared opportunities as well as areas of collaboration and knowledge exchange across multiple priority sectors. This aligns with Team Bahrain's broader vision to attract international investment, foster innovation, and promote sustainable development. Both nations are committed to working together to unlock new opportunities, enhance economic cooperation, and build a sustainable future for all.
