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Tag: Bahrain Economic Development Board

  • Global Tech Pioneers CZ and Co-Founder of Shazam to Headline FinTech Forward 2025 in Bahrain

    FinTech Forward 2025 (FF25), the region’s premier strategic financial technology event, today announced that two globally renowned innovators will headline this year’s edition as title speakers: Changpeng Zhao (CZ), former CEO of Binance and Dhiraj Mukherjee, Cofounder of Shazam. Their participation reflects the flagship event’s growing role as a global stage for innovation, convening leaders who have transformed industries and reshaped how millions around the world engage with technology and financial services.

    Zhao, widely recognised as CZ, is the founder and former CEO of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. Under his leadership, Binance grew to serve more than 235 million users across 180 countries, offering access to over 350 digital assets. From its founding in 2017 to becoming a global leader in less than a decade, Binance’s journey highlights both the scale and speed of transformation in financial technology. His insights will provide unique relevance to FF25’s exploration of the future of money, markets, and global financial innovation.

    Mukherjee co-founded Shazam, the revolutionary app that revolutionised how people discover and connect with music. Launched in 2002, Shazam was among the first mobile applications to harness artificial intelligence at scale, ultimately achieving more than two billion downloads worldwide. The company was acquired by Apple in 2018. Mukherjee is now widely recognised as a thought leader on responsible innovation and the future of digital ecosystems. His career highlights the power of technology to shape human experiences, making his perspective particularly valuable to FF25’s conversations on creativity, disruption, and impact.

    Their presence further strengthens the event’s ability to convene diverse perspectives on the forces shaping the future of finance. Both will be speaking at fireside chats, CZ in a session titled “Crypto in transition: legitimacy, trust and the future of modern finance”, and Dhiraj’s fireside chat is set to tackle how to strategically plan for the long-term success and achieve durable, sustainable impact.

    Taking place on the 8th and 9th of October 2025 at Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB), FF25 is hosted by Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), leveraging the Kingdom’s position as a regional financial hub and gateway to the USD 2.15 trillion GCC market. Bahrain is recognised for its agile and forward-looking regulatory framework, pioneering initiatives in areas such as open banking, digital assets, and cloud adoption. Combined with a highly skilled bilingual workforce and advanced tech infrastructure, the Kingdom has become a launchpad for fintechs and international firms expanding into the Middle East.

    By welcoming visionaries such as CZ and Dhiraj Mukherjee, FinTech Forward 2025 reaffirms its status as the Middle East’s leading fintech forum and highlights Bahrain’s unique role as a hub for global business and a catalyst for the future of finance. For more information about FinTech Forward 2025 and to register, please click here.

    For more information, please contact:
    Abdulelah Abdulla
    Communications Department
    Economic Development Board
    Phone: +973-39798919
    E-mail: internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com

    SOURCE: Bahrain Economic Development Board

  • Fintech Forward Set to Return to Bahrain and Gather the Most Influential Leaders in Finance at its Third Edition in October 2025

    Fintech Forward 2025 will be programmed by Economist Impact and hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board

    The Kingdom of Bahrain is gearing up for its third edition of Fintech Forward, which will be hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) and programmed by Economist Impact. Bringing together the best and brightest minds in payments, fintech, and the broader financial ecosystem, Fintech Forward has cemented itself as a leading regional event, where industry trailblazers, investors, and financial players come to exchange knowledge, celebrate milestone successes, and level up connections.

    The upcoming edition of the region’s flagship financial services event, Fintech Forward 2025 (FF25), will take place on October 8-9 at Exhibition World Bahrain, hosted in collaboration with the Central Bank of Bahrain and supported by Bahrain FinTech Bay.

    Featuring keynotes, panel discussions and interactive sessions, the two-day event will spotlight opportunities and challenges for fintechs and highlight notable successes to learn from. Held under the banner “The era of integration: the maturing age of fintech”, FF25 will bring together fintech experts, financial firms, governments and regulators from around the world to discuss trending themes, share insights, and exchange knowledge to further advance the industry. The event will cover a wide range of topics related to the industry, including the shift from rapid growth to sustainable maturity, the emergence of embedded infrastructure and advanced technologies, the focus on trust, regulation, and integration over disruption, as well as the lasting and increased collaboration between regulators, sovereign investors, and traditional banks.

    Bahrain, the host country for this global event, has a robust financial services sector that combines traditional banking with innovative fintech firms, including crypto assets, digital payments and open banking solutions. The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), which serves as the country’s single regulator, has played a vital role in fostering fintech innovation through its dedicated Fintech Innovation Unit and pioneering regulatory frameworks. The CBB’s onshore Regulatory Sandbox, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, provides a secure environment for local and international fintech companies to test and develop new technologies, supporting the growth of a resilient and compliant fintech ecosystem.

    Building on the success of previous editions, which drew participants from across the globe, Fintech Forward has established itself as a key platform for industry leaders to share insights, foster collaboration, and drive regional fintech advancement.

    For more information and to register interest in Fintech Forward 2025, please visit the website. Media can register here for a partnership.

    For more information, please contact:
    Abdulelah Abdulla
    Communications Department
    Economic Development Board
    Phone: +973-39798919
    E-mail: internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com

    About Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB)
    Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) is an investment promotion agency with overall responsibility for attracting investment into the Kingdom and supporting initiatives that enhance the investment climate.

    Bahrain EDB works with the government and both current and prospective investors to ensure that Bahrain’s investment climate is attractive, to communicate the key strengths, and to identify where opportunities exist for further economic growth through investment.

    Bahrain EDB focuses on several economic sectors that capitalise on Bahrain’s competitive advantages and provide significant investment opportunities. These sectors include financial services, manufacturing, logistics, ICT and tourism.For more information on the Bahrain EDB, visit www.bahrainedb.com.

    SOURCE: Bahrain Economic Development Board

     

  • Bahrain Launches Informational Website and Hotline for the Golden Residency to Attract Global Professionals and Investors

    With the aim of attracting exceptionally talented individuals and investment into the Kingdom of Bahrain, in line with strategic efforts to enhance national competitiveness and support development across various economic, investment, and service sectors, Bahrain today launched a website (www.goldenresidendy.gov.bh) and a hotline (+973 17484000) dedicated to providing information on its Golden Residency Program. The new services work towards providing a point of reference for interested applicants and beneficiaries.

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    Since the Golden Residency Program was first launched in 2022 as part of the Economic Recovery Plan, the Nationality, Passports, and Residence Affairs has granted permanent residency to investors, expats owning real estate, artists, athletes, talented professionals, and long-serving employees alongside their dependents.

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    H.E. Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development, Chief Executive of Bahrain Economic Development Board said, “With its strategic location and its business-supportive ecosystem, the Kingdom of Bahrain has always been a hub for both global talent and investment. The Golden Residency Program reaffirms our commitment to fostering a dynamic and welcoming environment where individuals and businesses can thrive and become part of Bahrain’s growth plans. Bahrain is committed to consistently providing streamlined and advanced services to its citizens, residents, and visitors.”

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    Bahrain has cemented itself as the destination of choice for global professionals and investors. With its welcoming community and high quality of life, it offers an attractive home for all. Residents enjoy a cosmopolitan lifestyle that blends modern island living with rich cultural heritage. As a regional business hub, Bahrain offers 100% foreign ownership in most sectors, a competitive taxation system, and a highly skilled bilingual workforce. Positioned at the heart of the Arabian Gulf, residents will experience strategic access to key markets and a business-friendly regulatory environment that fosters innovation and investment.

    H.E. Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Nationality, Passports, and Residence Affairs (NPRA) said: “Through the Golden Residency Program, we aim to attract global talent and investors to contribute to Bahrain’s development plans. The website and hotline going live enable us to provide comprehensive information on the program, which will support in attracting talent and investment, thereby positioning the Kingdom as one of the region’s tourism destinations of choice.”

    The Golden Residency Program enables holders and their families to live and work in Bahrain, and is available to individuals who meet the following eligibility criteria:

    Employees: Professionals who have worked in Bahrain for at least five years with a minimum monthly salary of BHD 2,000 (equivalent to USD 5,306) over the past five years.

    Property Owners: Investors who own real estate in Bahrain valued at BHD 200,000 (equivalent to USD 530,555) or more at the time of purchase.

    Retirees: Individuals who have worked in Bahrain for at least 15 years and have an average monthly pension of BHD 2,000 (equivalent to USD 5,306) or more during the last five years of residency. Non-residents with an average monthly pension of over BHD 4,000 (equivalent to USD 10,624) are also eligible.

    Talented Individuals: Entrepreneurs, highly skilled professionals, and individuals who contribute significantly to Bahrain’s economy or society.

    Eligible individuals can apply to the Program through Bahrain’s eGovernment portal which provides a fast and efficient application process. A dedicated team is also available to assist Golden Residency applicants and holders, ensuring they have access to ongoing support in the Kingdom.

    For more information, please contact:
    Abdulelah Abdulla
    Communications Department
    Economic Development Board
    Phone: +973-39798919
    E-mail: internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com

    About Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB)
    Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) is an investment promotion agency with overall responsibility for attracting investment into the Kingdom and supporting initiatives that enhance the investment climate. Bahrain EDB works with the government and both current and prospective investors to ensure that Bahrain’s investment climate is attractive, to communicate the key strengths, and to identify where opportunities exist for further economic growth through investment.

    Bahrain EDB focuses on several economic sectors that capitalise on Bahrain’s competitive advantages and provide significant investment opportunities. These sectors include financial services, manufacturing, logistics, ICT and tourism.For more information on the Bahrain EDB, visit www.bahrainedb.com.

    SOURCE: Bahrain Economic Development Board

     

  • Tamkeen Launches ‘Bahrain Skills and Gender Parity Accelerator’ at Davos

    Tamkeen Launches ‘Bahrain Skills and Gender Parity Accelerator’ at Davos

    The Bahrain Labour Fund (Tamkeen) has partnered with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to launch the Bahrain Skills and Gender Parity Accelerator. The announcement was made at Davos, exemplifying the theme of the 55th Annual Meeting “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,” wherein the data-driven accelerator is aimed at closing the gender skills gap in high-growth industries and at increasing the participation of the current and next generation of the local Bahraini workforce.

    Tamkeen Launches ‘Bahrain Skills and Gender Parity Accelerator’ at Davos

    In the presence of His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Isa bin Salman Education Charitable Trust and Chairman of the Board of Directors the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) and H.E. Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy, alongside other key dignitaries; the agreement was signed by H.E. Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development, Chief Executive of Bahrain Economic Development Board in her capacity as a board member of Tamkeen, also in the presence of Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, World Economic Forum, Sriram Guttta, Head of Engagement and Operations and Member of the Executive Committee and Maroun Kairouz, Director, Middle East and North Africa.

    Bahrain has prioritised building a future-ready workforce by introducing a strong educational foundation of robust digital and STEM skills training, reskilling and upskilling its human capital to bridge the gap in global talent. Having proven itself as a regional leader in gender parity and wage equality, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2024, Bahrain has additionally been ranked within the top five globally for girls outperforming boys in learning outcomes, according to Forum and the World Bank.

    Sriram Gutta, Head, Engagement and Operations and Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum, said, “Following our successful initial cycle, which mobilized more than $2.5M in funding and resulted in more than 54,500+ individuals trained, we will continue our collaboration to drive further progress on reskilling and upskilling in Bahrain. Our second cycle of work will have a particular focus on increasing gender parity in high growth sectors and jobs of the future. This initiative joins a network of more than 35 Accelerators championing transformative, local initiatives in their respective countries.”

    The island nation is seeking to provide a blueprint for other governments, countries and regions by launching this new accelerator, building on its achievements in developing a highly skilled talent pool. The creation of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) has been a key driver of Bahrain’s progress, where the Fund offers government-backed training and curated programmes catered to close gender gaps in typically male-dominated industries. The Labour Fund additionally established Skills Bahrain in 2024, an initiative dedicated to unlocking the full potential of Bahrain’s human capital. It collaborates with employers, training providers, and government organisations to provide market intelligence and sector-specific data to identify skills gaps across key sectors in the kingdom.

    Through a trailblazing multi-stakeholder partnership model, the accelerator will be coordinated by Skills Bahrain and led by the Bahrain Economic Development Board, and the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), with plans to engage in partnerships with leading entities within the private sector. The subsequent phases of the launch will download insights from the collective organizations and leverage the Forum’s global research efforts to create a cross-sectoral analysis to help identify current and future gender skills gaps, forming instrumental groundwork for an actionable talent development strategy.

    Government-led investments in female empowerment and in upskilling Bahrain’s young, bilingual human capital have paid off, earning the country a ranking of 4th Globally for both Women in Managerial Positions and Women with Degrees on the Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Ranking 2024. The diversity of its workforce and proven standing as a leading service hub has successfully attracted global industry giants in the likes of AWS and Citi, the latter of which chose Bahrain as the location for its Global Technology Hub in 2021, pledging to hire 1,000 Bahraini coders.

    For more information, please contact:

    Abdulelah Abdulla
    Communications Department
    Economic Development Board
    Phone: +973-39798919
    E-mail: internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com

    About Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB)

    Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) is an investment promotion agency with overall responsibility for attracting investment into the Kingdom and supporting initiatives that enhance the investment climate.

    Bahrain EDB works with the government and both current and prospective investors to ensure that Bahrain’s investment climate is attractive, to communicate the key strengths, and to identify where opportunities exist for further economic growth through investment.

    Bahrain EDB focuses on several economic sectors that capitalise on Bahrain’s competitive advantages and provide significant investment opportunities. These sectors include financial services, manufacturing, logistics, ICT and tourism. For more information on the Bahrain EDB, visit www.bahrainedb.com.

    SOURCE: Bahrain Economic Development Board

  • Central Bank of Bahrain Grants Crypto.com Payment Service Provider License

    The Central Bank of Bahrain today granted Crypto.com full approval to provide payment service provider (PSP) services through its subsidiary registered in the Kingdom of Bahrain under the commercial name “FORIS GFS BH B.S.C. CLOSED”, adding to the company’s significant regulatory milestones in the region.

    The PSP licence will allow Crypto.com to expand its offerings of e-money and fiat-based payment services regionally, including the launch of its world-renowned prepaid cards.

    “With its extensive international presence and an earned reputation for regulatory compliance, we are delighted that Crypto.com has chosen the Kingdom of Bahrain as a destination for investment, which will further bolster Bahrain’s ability to deliver on its vision of developing a digital-first, resilient economy that celebrates innovation and progress,” said H.E. Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development, Chief Executive of Bahrain Economic Development Board, adding, “Backed by the agility of our Team Bahrain approach, which fosters a streamlined investment environment that champions ease of doing business, Bahrain is successfully building a world-class ecosystem to support the evolution of the fast-growing blockchain, crypto and fintech industry. This is further supported by robust regulations and a diverse, highly skilled, and future-ready talent pool, particularly within the financial services and technology sectors.”

    “Bahrain has been working to create an innovation-friendly crypto and fintech ecosystem, which has involved putting in place clear regulation that balances consumer protection with commercialisation,” said Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com. “We appreciate the work of the Kingdom and look forward to progressing our relationship as we play our part in growing the crypto industry in Bahrain and across the GCC.”

    Bahrain, a pioneering hub for digital asset regulation within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, was among the first to issue crypto-asset licences in the region, cementing itself as a leading hub for crypto services and fintech innovations in the region. As the island nation’s investment promotion agency, Bahrain EDB works closely with potential and existing clients providing key services that include industry assessments and strategic advisory, in line with its mandate of attracting investments into Bahrain.

    Crypto.com continues to actively grow and expand its ecosystem, with more than 100 million users worldwide.

    The announcement builds on Crypto.com’s regulatory licensing momentum globally, having received its Virtual Asset Service Provider Licence from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and the launch of the Crypto.com Exchange for institutional investors in April 2024. Cypto.com is additionally licensed for specific services in key markets around the world, including Singapore, France, Australia, Ireland, Malta, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and South Korea.

    For more information, please contact:
    Abdulelah Abdulla
    Communications Department
    Economic Development Board
    Phone: +973-39798919
    E-mail: internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com

    About Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB)
    The Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) is an investment promotion agency with overall responsibility for attracting investment into the Kingdom and supporting initiatives that enhance the investment climate. The Bahrain EDB works with the government and both current and prospective investors, to ensure that Bahrain’s investment climate is attractive, to communicate the key strengths, and to identify where opportunities exist for further economic growth through investment.

    The Bahrain EDB focuses on several economic sectors that capitalise on Bahrain’s competitive advantages and provide significant investment opportunities. These sectors include financial services, manufacturing, logistics, ICT, and tourism. For more information on the Bahrain EDB visit www.bahrainedb.com.

    SOURCE: Bahrain Economic Development Board

  • Bahrain Gears Up to Host the 2nd Edition of Fintech Forward in October

    Invest in Bahrain | Bahrain Economic Development BoardThe flagship installment of 2024’s Transformation Agenda series will be programmed by Economist Impact and hosted by Bahrain Economic Development Board with the support of the Central Bank of Bahrain & Bahrain FinTech Bay

    Bahrain is gearing up for its second edition of Fintech Forward, which will be programmed by Economist Impact, hosted by Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) and supported by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) and Bahrain FinTech Bay (BFB). The flagship installment of 2024’s Transformation Agenda series will take place on October 2nd and October 3rd, 2024, at Exhibition World Bahrain.

    Featuring a series of panel discussions, the two-day event will unite global fintech experts with financial institutions, governments, and regulators to tackle trending topics across generative AI, blockchain technologies, cybercrime, open banking, evolving consumer behaviour, the impact of new regulations, as well as best practices in prioritising sustainable financial initiatives. Against a backdrop of these insightful discussions that will deliberate on the evolving advancements and imminent challenges facing the global financial services industry, Fintech Forward will serve as a platform for both strategic collaboration and networking with leading players across the region and beyond.

    As a singular financial regulator, the CBB has consistently enhanced the competitiveness of Bahrain’s financial services sector, supporting the national transition to a digital economy by pioneering new regulatory frameworks and legislation, all while introducing innovative platforms in the likes of the Regulatory Sandbox. Year after year, Bahrain EDB has continued to attract investments into focused sectors in line with national priorities, fostering ongoing discussions with the private and public sectors to create a business-friendly environment backed by progressive legislation. Further driven by a thriving financial services ecosystem that comprises a balanced portfolio of leading international conventional banking institutions alongside new financial players, including crypto asset service providers, digital payment providers, and highly-specialised firms; Bahrain has earned a reputation as a leading hub of fintech in the Middle East and North Africa region.

    Following the successful inaugural event last year, which secured attendees from across the world, Fintech Forward has cemented itself as a platform for innovative leaders to share experiences, collaborate on learnings, and connect with their peers. Showcasing Bahrain’s phenomenal progress in digital transformation, expanding its fintech space, and success in developing a highly skilled talent pool to further fuel the growth of a booming industry, this year’s flagship event is expected to be yet another resounding achievement.

    More information on Fintech Forward 2024, which will be programmed by Economist Impact and hosted by Bahrain EDB, can be found on https://events.economist.com/fintechforward/.

    For more information, please contact:
    Abdulelah Abdulla
    Communications Department
    Economic Development Board
    Phone: +973-39798919
    E-mail: internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com

    About Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB)
    The Bahrain EDB is an investment promotion agency with the overall responsibility of attracting investment into the Kingdom and supporting initiatives that enhance the investment climate.

    The Bahrain EDB works with the government and both current and prospective investors, to ensure that Bahrain’s investment climate is attractive, to communicate the key strengths, and to identify where opportunities exist for further economic growth through investment.

    The Bahrain EDB focuses on several economic sectors that capitalise on Bahrain’s competitive advantages and provide significant investment opportunities. These sectors include financial services, manufacturing, logistics, ICT, and tourism.

    For more information on the Bahrain EDB visit www.bahrainedb.com

    Bahrain FinTech Bay
    Bahrain FinTech Bay (BFB) provides a physical hub to incubate insightful, scalable and impactful FinTech initiatives through innovation labs, acceleration programs, curated activities, educational opportunities and collaborative platforms. BFB partners with governmental bodies, financial institutions, corporates, consultancy firms, universities, associations, media agencies, venture capital and FinTech startups to bring the full spectrum of financial market participants and stakeholders together.

    SOURCE: Bahrain Economic Development Board