FINANCIAL SECTOR ‘KEY TO GROWTH’: HRH Prince Salman inaugurates BIBF headquarters
THE banking and finance sector plays a crucial role in supporting Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals, led by His Majesty King Hamad, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has said.
He was inaugurating the new headquarters of the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) in Bahrain Bay yesterday.
HRH Prince Salman emphasised that the inauguration of the new state-of-the-art headquarters will contribute to the sector’s development and benefit both the economy and Bahraini citizens.
The Crown Prince and Prime Minister noted the importance of investing in the kingdom’s workforce by providing quality opportunities and developing educational and training institution capabilities within the financial services sector.
This will enhance economic performance and efficiency, in accordance with the objectives of the Economic Recovery Plan and Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, he said.
HRH Prince Salman toured the 25,000sqm building which can accommodate 1,200 trainees at any given time. The building’s facilities include: an auditorium, smart classrooms, high-tech computer labs, and the region’s first simulated dealing room.
The campus’s facilities have been equipped with the latest technologies that, in tandem with updated academic and training programmes, have been developed to satisfy employer skill and experience requirements.
HRH Prince Salman was also briefed on the BIBF’s 40-year history, including its 600 programmes and numerous international partnerships, particularly with the The London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF) with whom three agreements have been signed.
Central Bank of Bahrain Governor and chairman of the board of directors Rasheed Al Maraj highlighted that the King’s royal directives and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s ongoing support is foundational to the BIBF achieving its vision.
HRH Prince Salman was accompanied by Deputy Premier Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Premier Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Deputy Premier Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel Humaidan and other senior officials.
