Bahrain to launch Mena OECD pensions outlook

MANAMA: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will be launching its Pensions Outlook Report 2020 in the Mena region for the first time, from Bahrain.

The global organisation, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this week, is considered to be the world’s largest think-tank and research centre on pensions.

OECD secretary general Angel Gurría virtually launched the OECD Pensions Outlook 2020, in the presence of presidents and executive directors of pensions research institutes and regulatory authorities from the US and Europe.

The annual global research that analyses different pension policy issues both public and private, defined benefit and defined contribution, pay-as-you-go and funded retirement systems.

Prepared against the background of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 edition discusses policy guidelines to help governments strengthen the resilience of their retirement savings and old-age pension systems.

At the invitation of Bahrain-based Fintech Robos, the organiser of the annual Arab Pensions Conference, the OECD will be holding a special launch event for this global research project in Bahrain on January 19.

Held in Bahrain virtually, the conference is aimed for the entire Arab world.

“Our partnership with the OECD to bring their exceptional global pension research and learning curve to Bahrain and the Mena region is part of our passion to foster communications and forward thinking on pension development and reforms in the region,” said Fintech Robos chief executive and Arab Pensions Conference chairman Ebrahim K Ebrahim.

Mr Ebrahim added that governments need to improve the sustainability and resilience of retirement savings systems.

“Covid-19 has dealt an unprecedented shock to the labour markets and pension arrangements across the world, making governments act swiftly to address many of the ensuing challenges. Many countries, including Bahrain, have extended job retention schemes and unemployment benefits, allowing workers to keep accruing entitlements in state-pension funds,” he added.

With 37 member countries spanning the globe, the OECD manages consultancy and reform projects in more than 100 countries around the world.

Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/910693/Bahrain-to-launch-Mena-OECD-pensions-outlook