The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) plan for the year is focused on Islamic banking, said the institute's top official.

Briefing the Specific Council for Vocational Training (Banking Sector), BIBF director Solveig Nicklos said the institute has introduced unique professional programmes that support "Bahrain's leading position in this dynamic field".

"The programmes are expected to positively impact the banking and financial sectors in Bahrain and fulfil the highest international standards," she said.

Nicklos said this in a statement issued after the first yearly meeting of the council chaired by Central Bank of Bahrain Governor Rasheed Al Maraj.

The council reviewed all activities and progress of BIBF for the previous year and discussed the proposed development plans that included the budget for the current year.

It also approved a number of policies to continue to strengthen the internal governance structure and the institute's human resources plan to further raise the standards of all its employees, trainers, lecturers and researchers as this has always been a priority and the main reason for it to be established.-TradeArabia News Service