Bahrain FinTech Bay officials highlight the Kingdom’s role as regional hub for financial technology

Manama, Oct. 9 (BNA): The FinTech Forward 2025 event in the Kingdom of Bahrain continues to gain remarkable momentum, attracting industry leaders and innovators eager to strengthen partnerships and explore emerging opportunities in the financial technology sector.

Speaking to Bahrain News Agency (BNA), Bader Sater, Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain FinTech Bay, highlighted the forum’s main objective, which is fostering connections between both existing and new partners attending the event. "This event is a flagship for Bahrain’s FinTech ecosystem," Sater said. "The energy and excitement here reflect the industry’s strong enthusiasm for FinTech."

Sater noted that the event has drawn record attendance and engagement, surpassing previous years, and is expected to yield tangible outcomes. "Over the course of two days, more than 38 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) are expected to be signed," he said, underscoring the event’s role in driving concrete collaborations.

He also emphasised Bahrain’s unique position as an ideal environment for FinTech innovation. "We’ve seen significant interest from international companies looking to use Bahrain as a testing ground for new FinTech ideas and concepts. Our agile, well-regulated, and forward-focused market provides a supportive environment where FinTechs can grow and innovate," he explained.

Discussing the evolution of FinTech, Sater said its integration into the financial services sector. "FinTech is no longer separate; it is fully embedded in financial services. Technology now drives banking and financial operations, bringing opportunities and greater freedom for people to manage and access their funds. It is nothing to fear, only to embrace," he said.

Looking ahead, Sater expressed optimism for the sector’s continued growth. "We expect Bahrain’s FinTech ecosystem to expand further, creating new projects and innovative solutions, and strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a regional hub for financial technology," he added.

In addition, Suzy Al Zeerah, Chief Operating Officer of Bahrain Fintech Bay, expressed pride in supporting the FinTech Forward event for the third consecutive year. "We’re very proud of this event and the role it plays in creating awareness within the industry, which is one of our primary mandates," she said. "This event also showcases Bahrain’s growth in the Fintech sector, with more sponsors this year, double the number from last year, and many new FinTech companies participating from around the world."

Regarding Bahrain FinTech Bay’s broader role, Al Zeerah explained that the organisation works closely with the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) to support FinTech companies establishing operations in Bahrain. "We help investors and start-ups scale up by connecting them with key stakeholders, including local banks and potential partners, to foster strategic collaborations," she said.

Al Zeerah expressed gratitude for the warm reception and support for the event, emphasising Bahrain’s commitment to nurturing a dynamic and innovative FinTech ecosystem.