Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund has launched Mumtalakat Lunch and Learn, an innovative series of industry-focused seminars designed to bring together business leaders in the kingdom.

The first seminar is set to take place on June 30 and will be focusing on Mumtalakat's Industrial Cluster, which includes food, manufacturing and aluminium, in addition to others, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

Mumtalakat will present the strategic direction for each sector and an overview of select investment opportunities that are of potential interest to local and regional partners and investors.

This is in line with Mumtalakat's two-pronged investment strategy, which consists of developing its existing portfolio and developing new projects in Bahrain.

Mumtalakat will also launch its new directors' handbook - a reference guide for its representatives sitting on the boards of its portfolio companies - during this seminar. The handbook lays out the most important concepts and expectations for Mumtalakat's directors, in order to achieve the highest standards of corporate governance.

The initiative is scheduled to continue throughout 2013, covering different sectors.

"With this seminar, held exclusively at the Capital Club Bahrain, we intend to communicate our outlook and strategy for the various industry sectors we are interested in, and engage with the regional business and investment community to harness their interest and receive feedback from industry leaders on our investment plans," said Mumtalakat chief executive Mahmood Al Kooheji.

"These seminars will prove vital for collaborating with the business community on the available opportunities in Bahrain and the wider GCC region," he noted.

"This initiative also complements our efforts towards achieving the highest standards of corporate governance and transparency, both at Mumtalakat and across our portfolio. We are confident that the launch of our directors' handbook will be instrumental in this regard," he added.-TradeArabia News Service