Delegates from more than 20 countries across Europe, the US, and the Mena region will gather in Manama for the third Euromoney GCC Financial Forum early next month.

For the first time, the annual event to be held on March 4 and 5, will not only engage a forum delegation in Manama but a worldwide audience through Euromoney’s online channels, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

The forum will run in partnership with the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) for the third consecutive year. Citi Bahrain has announced its backing for the forum as an exhibition sponsor.

The 2014 forum has expanded its focus and will now look at the role that financial services can play in regional development. The new agenda will emphasise on capital flow across borders in the GCC and the wider region.

The forum will also provide a platform for discussion on the lack of regional banks in the true sense of the word, and why there appear to be many financial ‘centres’ in the region, said the report.

It allows participants to discuss and analyse the role of regional capital markets, what form they should take, and whether they should exist.

The focus of the sessions will be kept on Bahrain – looking at key sectors in the kingdom which have relevance for the wider region, such as real estate, housing, SMEs and hydrocarbons.

This year’s event is expected to attract a high level audience from the region, with top senior business heads and government officials keen to discuss and debate the future direction of the region’s financial services.

Citi Bahrain chief executive Mazin Manna said as a global bank that began operations in Bahrain over 45 years ago, it is proud to extend support towards the latest edition of the forum.

"We are committed to back such noteworthy events that help in raising the profile of Bahrain within the international forum," he stated.

"Citi is a global partner of Euromoney's and it's a great pleasure to extend that cooperation to Bahrain and the region. We look forward to working with them this year and in the future."

Euromoney's multi-channel approach will utilise social media platforms such as twitter: inviting interested participants to voice their opinions using the hashtag #EMBahrain.

PineBridge Investments chief economist Markus Schomer recently joined the Euromoney MENA Podcast to discuss current affairs affecting Bahrain and the region's financial markets.

"We encourage lively debate and discussion at this crucial time for emerging markets in the GCC region," said Euromoney emerging markets director Richard Banks.-TradeArabia News Service