Citi Bahrain was one of the exhibitor sponsors of the Euromoney GCC Financial Forum which recently concluded in Bahrain.

The forum was co-hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) and held for the fourth consecutive year.

It examined the growth and development of industry and financial services in the GCC, with a particular focus on Bahrain as a hub for financial integration in the region, said a statement.

The topics covered were the regional, global and regional economic outlook, regional finance in the global marketplace and the role of private capital in funding economic development in the region.

A highlight of this year’s conference was the Open ‘Town-hall’ discussion with Rasheed Al Maraj, governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain and moderated by Euromoney Conferences director for emerging markets Richard Banks.

The discussion focused on new rules that restrict big bonuses for bankers in Bahrain which were implemented by the CBB last year, outlook for Bahrain’s banking sector in light of the drop in oil prices, and rising operating costs for smaller banks due to regulatory and international requirements as well as Islamic banking.

More than 600 financial experts representing 18 countries that included business leaders, policymakers, financiers and investors attended the two-day forum. - TradeArabia News Service