The ninth GCC Banking Conference, which opened today (March 24) in Bahrain, has drawn more than 600 participants

The two-day conference with the theme “A new era in international banking practices: Implications for the GCC markets” is being held at the Ritz Carlton Bahrain, Hotel & Spa under the patronage of Prime Minister of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa.

As the region’s major banking and finance event, the conference aims to provide a platform for participants to discuss the most pertinent challenges currently affecting the GCC financial markets, opportunities for growth, and to discuss overall industry trends within the context of developments in the global economy.

Discussions will also aim to highlight distinct advantages for the GCC financial industry against the background of global market conditions.

Sir Howard Davies, director of the London School of Economics & Political Science will give today’s keynote address, entitled “Global Financial Market Developments”.

Today’s sessions include “The outlook for the GCC economy”, “Developments in GCC banking” and “The global financial crisis: lessons for the industry”, and will feature speakers from top banking and research sectors.

The GCC Banking Conference has been taking place for over 15 years, and is hosted by each of the Gulf countries in rotation.

The conference is being organised by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) in cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) secretariat general. – TradeArabia News Service