5th BHB’s Smart Investor Programme launched in collaboration with INJAZ Bahrain

Manama, July 23 (BNA): Bahrain Bourse (BHB), a self-regulated multi-asset marketplace, in partnership with INJAZ Bahrain, has officially announced the kick-off of the 5th edition of the Smart Investor Programme, a national awareness programme aimed at 4th grade elementary students in the Kingdom of Bahrain and is part of the Government Schools curriculum. The programme is one of Bahrain Bourse's key financial literacy and investor awareness programmes and initiatives, with the aim of educating and empowering the next generation of smart investors. It is consistent with Bahrain Bourse's efforts to strengthen investment awareness and financial literacy across various age groups and categories. Shaikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, CEO of Bahrain Bourse commented, “Bahrain Bourse is committed towards enhancing financial literacy awareness targeting various age groups. We believe in building a generation of investors with sound understanding of financial markets to empower the next generation of smart investors, through the roll out of the Smart Investor programme in its 5th Edition targeting 8,000 students from public and private schools." “This programme is also uniquely positioned to complement our other programme offerings and initiatives, including TradeQuest Program, the Investment Academy, and the Capital Markets Apprenticeship Programme and is well integrated with Bahrain Bourse's financial literacy and investor awareness strategy, which forms a fundamental pillar,” Shaikh Khalifa added. H.H Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairperson at INJAZ Bahrain, commented, “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Bahrain Bourse for the 5th edition of the Smart Investor Programme. Based on our prior achievements and uptake level with this program offering, we have expanded the outreach to include more than 8000 participants. Our objective is to have young students apply financial fundamentals with confidence throughout their lives and we are honored to be able to contribute to the Kingdom of Bahrain's financial inclusion framework and economic landscape.” The Smart Investor programme, which was launched in 2018, is a national awareness initiative for elementary students in partnership with INJAZ Bahrain. Through engaging edutainment activities, the program seeks to provide young students with basic concepts linked to money management, savings, and financial planning in order to aid them in making sound financial decisions. After participation in the programme, students will be able to identify various financial payment methods, such as debit and credit cards, cash, and cheques, learn numerous financial literacy terms, as well as recognize the value of saving and gain information on several financial planning principles. The Programme consists of seven-themed sessions designed to equip students with the following concepts: Thinking, Specifying, Planning, Execution, Saving, Progression, and Evaluation. Bahrain Bourse offers a board range of awareness programs to ensure outreach to every age group, which begins with Smart Investor at elementary level, and TradeQuest at high school and university level. General financial education is also offered to the public through the Investment Academy in collaboration with the BIBF. In addition, the Capital Markets Apprenticeship Programme is offered to graduates through on-the-job training and practical experience within the capital markets. Bahrain Bourse has been consistently participating in IOSCO’s World Investor Week along with 78 other global exchanges and World Federation of Exchanges' annual ‘Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy' to promote financial literacy. It is worth mentioning that the Smart Investor Programme has been carried out for four consecutive academic years. The 4th edition of the program introduced the Smart Investor National Challenge with the aim of seeking to enhance program participation in both public and private schools. The competition has successfully stimulated engagement and a competitive spirit, and encouraged students to implement their program learnings.