GCC Financial Forum2017 sponsors announced

Manama, Feb. 22 (BNA): Euromoney Conferences has announced the charter sponsors for the upcoming 6th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Financial Forum. Al Salam Bank, Arcapita, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK), BNP Paribas, GFH, National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) and Rante Corporation will sponsor the high-profile event scheduled to take place on 27th and 28th February 2017 in Manama. The event is organised by Euromoney Conferences and co-hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB). Joining the forum’s sponsor group once again, Reyadh Yousif Sater, Chief Executive of BBK said: ‘At BBK, we are looking forward to contributing to the success of the forum for the fifth year running. Over the years, the conference has been an important strategic venue to highlight the economic developments of Bahrain and the GCC to a local and international audience.’ The forum has grown considerably since its first iteration in 2012. This year’s event will bring together over 600 senior-level financiers, economists and business leaders from the regional and international financial communities. Commenting on the announcement, Atif Abdulmalik, Chief Executive Officer of Arcapita Bank said: ‘We are very pleased to be part of this high-profile annual conference. This year’s forum comes at a time of fiscal challenges and the forum provides an excellent opportunity to discuss the important issues facing the GCC economies.’ The first day of the conference will focus on defining the financing challenge that the GCC faces, while discussions on day two will concentrate on highlighting how new and innovative approaches to financial intermediation can provide solutions to these challenges. Jacques Michel, chief executive officer of BNP Paribas MEA said: ‘BNP Paribas have a longstanding commitment to the Kingdom of Bahrain and we are delighted to sponsor the 2017 GCC Financial Forum. We see this conference as an excellent opportunity to take part in the discussion, debate and exchange of ideas on how best to deal with the challenges and opportunities presented by the ever evolving GCC financial markets.’ To tackle these important questions, this year’s forum will feature an exciting and diverse line-up of speakers and panellists from both the public and private sector. Keynote speakers at the upcoming forum include Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and Zayed Rashed Al Zayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, both of whom will speak at the forum for the very first time. Rasheed Mohammed Al Maraj, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) will once again participate in an open ‘town hall’ session at the conference. Khalid Al Romaihi, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) will open the event with a keynote interview. The forum audience will also hear from high-profile international speakers such as Francis Fukuyama, world renowned political commentator, futurist and author, and Lord Adair Turner, Chairman of the Institute for New Economic Thinking, as well as Jean Lemierre, Chairman of BNP Paribas. Jean Christophe Durand, Chief Executive Officer of NBB said: ‘We look forward to participating in the 2017 event and to hearing from the speakers on what the future holds for the GCC. NBB has always been at the forefront in promoting Bahrain as a regional financial hub on the international scene and we will continue to work on this objective in the years to come.’ For further information about the forum and to view the 2017 agenda, please visit the Euromoney Conferences website: www.euromoneyconferences.com/gcc.