The Central Bank of Bahrain Governor Khalid Humaidan has highlighted the importance of continued investment in technology by central banks and regulators. 

He also underscored the importance of international collaboration with global financial centres to support the growth and competitiveness of Bahrain’s financial services sector.

Financial stability remains a key pillar of a strong and competitive financial sector, he said at a high-level session titled “The Bahrain Advantage: Aligning Regulation, Investment, and Growth”.

The session was held in the presence of Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy and Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), as part of the fourth edition of Fintech Forward 2026. 

Held at Exhibition World Bahrain under the theme “Finance in the Age of Intelligent Infrastructure”, the event brought together experts, decision-makers and innovators to discuss developments in financial technology.

Evolution of Bahrain’s fintech ecosystem

During the session, the Minister of Sustainable Development and the CBB Governor discussed a range of topics, including the evolution of Bahrain’s fintech ecosystem over the past four years, the future of regulatory frameworks, the kingdom’s connections with global financial centres, and the talent and skills needed to support Bahrain’s long-term sustainable growth.

The Governor highlighted Bahrain’s progress in strengthening its position as a leading financial centre through continued technological innovation, noting fintech’s role in enabling faster and more efficient transactions and the potential of blockchain, digital assets, programmable money and smart contracts to develop financial services and reshape the future of payments and credit.—TradeArabia News Service