Bahrain participates in WEF

Manama, May 20 (BNA): A high-profile Bahraini delegation, comprising senior public and private sector representatives, will participate in the three-day World Economic Forum (WEF) on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at the Dead Sea in Jordan on May 21-23. The Bahrain delegation includes Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance;. Rasheed Mohammed Al Maraj, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB); Zayed Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Industry and Commerce; Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the Economic Development Board (EDB); and Shaikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of Osool Asset Management Company. This year the theme of the annual conference is: Creating a Regional Framework for Prosperity and Peace through Public-Private Cooperation. The forum’s programme and discussion will focus on the new developments and institution-building efforts being undertaken across the Middle East and North Africa, and the impact of these on cross-regional trade and investment set against the backdrop of the on-going regional economic, security and humanitarian challenges. Al Rumaihi commented on the international event saying: "WEF provides the perfect environment for forming long-term relationships developed through shared interests. Given the region’s on-going challenges, there could not be a more vital time to enhance regional cooperation through the creation of such partnerships, where possible. "Boosting connectivity – whether through infrastructure, regulations or trade agreements - can play an important role in boosting growth across the region and we look forward to discussing opportunities at the conference this week." The event will feature the participation of Rasheed Al Maraj, who will be speaking on a panel titled ‘Advancing Financial Inclusion’, alongside prominent financial experts including: Dr. Umayya Toukan, the Minister of Finance of Jordan; Tirad Mahmoud, Group CEO, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank; and Dimitris Tsitsiragos, Vice President of Global Client Services, International Finance Corporation. The panel will be moderated by Andrew Torchia, Middle East Chief Financial Correspondent, Thomson Reuters, and will address key financial mechanisms that can be leveraged to support inclusive growth in the region, such as: leveraging the potential of Islamic finance; expanding banking to the unbanked; and strengthening the investment climate. During the three-day event, the delegation will meet with key global and regional business leaders to discuss shared economic, societal and geopolitical imperatives to boost growth, promote financial stability and enhance regional security. The World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa is being held at the Dead Sea in Jordan from the 21-23 May and over 800 government, business and civil society leaders from more than 50 countries are expected to participate.