Bahrain to host key banking forum

Manama, Oct. 29 (BNA): Bahrain Association of Banks (BAB) today announced a high-level lineup of speakers for its annual banking forum which this year focuses on "FinTech: Opportunities & Challenges" in Bahrain’s banking industry. Under the patronage of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) , the forum will take place on October 31 and expects to attract more than 500 senior representatives from among BAB’s 52 members, regulators and executives of monetary funds from Bahrain & internationally. With the event’s aim to tackle the rapid development of FinTech and its impact on Bahraini banks, the Forum will be kicked off by BAB Chairman Adnan Ahmed Yousef and two on-stage keynote interviews with senior industry leaders conducted by Nuha Al Ali, the prominent CNBC Anchor. The first will feature his Rasheed Al Maraj, Governor of CBB, and the second with Meliksah Utku, General Manager and CEO of Albaraka Turk, which has made significant inroads in FinTech innovation. The agenda follows with four plenary sessions addressing pressing issues for the industry covering: The Relationship Between Banks and FinTechs, Fostering a Better FinTech Ecosystem, Addressing the Human Capital Gap and Legal & Regulatory Considerations. Taking part in the discussions are banking leaders and FinTech experts from a diverse group of organisations including: American Express, Bahrain FinTech Bay, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce &Industry (BCCI), Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution, BEEHIVE, Bahrain Islamic Bank, CBB, Economic Development Board, Gateway, Gulf International Bank, Islamic Finance News, National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) , Netiks International, Tamkeen, THSA Technology Bahrain and University of Bahrain (UoB). "We are delighted to announce the participation of such a notable group of industry leaders and experts at BAB’s upcoming Forum. We look forward to welcoming CBB's Governor Rasheed Al Maraj, and Meliksah Utku, General Manager and CEO of Albaraka Turk, a bank that has been an early mover, adopter and supporter of FinTech development. Participants will also hear from numerous other senior experts and pioneers on how FinTech is impacting Bahrain’s banking sector and the opportunities and challenges that will face the industry as it moves forward with further development and adoption," Dr. Waheed Al Qassim, CEO at BAB, said. The forum is supported by Strategic Partners: Al Baraka Banking Group, Gulf International Bank, NBB and Venture Capital Bank and Media Partners IFN and CNBC.