Bahrain Association of Banks (BAB) has announced a high level line of speakers for its Annual Banking Forum, which this year focuses on “FinTech: Opportunities & Challenges” in Bahrain’s banking industry.

Being held under the patronage of the Central Bank of Bahrain, the Forum will take place on October 31 at the Gulf Hotel and expects to attract more than 500 senior representatives from among BAB’s 52 members, regulators and executives of monetary funds from Bahrain & internationally.

With the event’s aim to tackle the rapid development of FinTech and its impact on Bahraini banks, the Forum will be kicked off by BAB Chairman Adnan Ahmed Yousif and two on-stage keynote interviews with senior industry leaders conducted by Nuha Al Ali, the prominent CNBC Anchor.

The first will feature his Rasheed Al Maraj, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain, and the second with Meliksah Utku, general manager and CEO of Albaraka Turk, which has made significant inroads in FinTech innovation.

The agenda follows with four plenary sessions addressing pressing issues for the industry covering: The Relationship Between Banks and FinTechs, Fostering a Better FinTech Ecosystem, Addressing the Human Capital Gap and Legal & Regulatory Considerations.

Taking part in the discussions are banking leaders and FinTech experts from a diverse group of organizations including American Express, Bahrain FinTech Bay, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce &Industry, Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution, BEEHIVE, Bahrain Islamic Bank, Central Bank of Bahrain, Economic Development Board, Gateway, Gulf International Bank, Islamic Finance News, National Bank of Bahrain, Netiks International, Tamkeen, THSA Technology Bahrain and University of Bahrain.  

Dr Waheed Al Qassim, CEO at BAB, said: “We are delighted to announce the participation of such a notable group of industry leaders and experts at BAB’s upcoming Forum. We look forward to welcoming Rasheed Al Maraj, Governor of the Central Bank, and Meliksah Utku, general manager and CEO of Albaraka Turk, a bank that has been an early mover, adopter and supporter of FinTech development.

“Participants will also hear from numerous other senior experts and pioneers on how FinTech is impacting Bahrain’s banking sector and the opportunities and challenges that will face the industry as it moves forward with further development and adoption.”

The Forum is supported by strategic partners Al Baraka Banking Group, Gulf International Bank, National Bank of Bahrain and Venture Capital Bank and Media Partners IFN and CNBC. - TradeArabia News Service