Women in Financial, Banking Sector Conference speaker, sponsors announced

Manama, Nov. 22 (BNA): The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) and the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) today announced Her Highness Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa as a speaker for the upcoming "Women in the Financial and Banking Sector Conference" on November 30 under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of the King of Bahrain President of the SCW. HH Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa will address the conference’s opening session focused on "Leading Change: Factors Shaping the Future of Women in Finance". She joins a number of high level regional and international industry veterans speaking at the event and more than 250 expected participants including senior members and heads of the local and global financial institutions, senior women in the industry and the next generation of aspiring young women leaders and executives working in the banking and finance sector. HH Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa is the Chairperson of Al Salam Bank since 2012 and is the first female Chairperson of a financial institution in Bahrain. She is also the Executive Director of INJAZ Bahrain, which she founded in 2005. INJAZ Bahrain is a member of an international organization called Junior Achievement Worldwide that works to inspire and prepare young Bahrainis to succeed in a global economy. In addition to that, she has been a Board Member of the Supreme Council for Women since 2004. Commenting, HH Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa said, "Over the past five decades, the Bahraini woman had played a prominent role in promoting the economic development and advancement process in the Kingdom through her active participation in both the financial and banking sectors that has contributed to making Bahrain a leading financial hub in the region." H.H. Shaikha Hessa Al Khalifa remarked, "I am honored to pay tribute to the efforts of the Supreme Council for Women, led by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the wife of His Majesty the King and President of the SCW, for their keenness to uplift the Bahraini women status by featuring her leading positions in the country and dedicating all their efforts towards achieving the ambitious vision of reaching an equal partnership to build a competitive and sustainable society as well as empowering women to elevate their positions, both in professional, public and personal life." Also commenting, Executive Director – Corporate Services at the CBB, Dr. Huda Al Maskati said, "We’re delighted to announce the participation of HH Shaikha Hessa Bint Khalifa Al Khalifa at the ‘Women in the Financial and Banking Sector Conference’. As a pioneer in her own right, she has set an example for women in the industry. Her achievements are inspirational as has been her work and commitment to the development and training of young women and youth. Her active role and leadership have seen her feature as a speaker at key UN events and the World Economic Forum, to name a few, and we are honoured that she will join us to share her vision for building the next generation of women leaders in the financial and banking sector." The conference marks the conclusion of a year-long campaign held as part of the 2015 Bahraini Women’s Day celebrations to showcase and promote the role of "Women in the Financial and Banking Sector". Key topics to be discussed and debated at the conference include sustainability and competitiveness of women in the industry and leading the transformation. Sponsors of the "Women in the Financial and Banking Sector" conference and year-long campaign are National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), KFH-Bahrain and BBK as Lead Sponsors, Al Baraka Banking Group (ABG) as the Women’s Empowerment Partner for Islamic Banking, Al Salam Bank, United Gulf Bank (UGB), Mumtalakat and GPIC as Gold Sponsors, Venture Capital Bank and Khaleeji Commercial Bank as Silver Sponsors. Bronze Sponsors include Citi, SICO, Bapco, and Banagas, as well as the Four Seasons Hotel – Bahrain Bay and Moda Mall as Hospitality and Lifestyle Partners.