At this year’s World Economic Forum 2020, experts from around the world will gather to discuss the key economic, social and technological challenges of our time.
The 50th Annual Meeting – held in Davos, Switzerland – has a theme of ‘Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World’, with key panels focusing on digital finance, social mobility and the future of technology.
Bahrain will be joining the global conversation, with a delegation including leaders from Bahrain EDB, the Central Bank of Bahrain, Batelco and Al Waha Fund of Funds as well as other key organisations.
As one of the Middle East’s leading FinTech and startup hubs – with a commitment to economically liberal policy and reform – the Kingdom greatly looks forward to discussing the transformative power of technologies such as AI and blockchain, as well as the value of building a sustainable ecosystem, on the world stage.
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Here is Bahrain’s delegation to the World Economic Forum Davos 2020:
Rasheed Al Maraj: Rasheed Al Maraj has been the Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) – the single regulator of the Kingdom’s financial services industry – since January 2005, overseeing CBB’s overall strategy to ensure monetary and financial stability. The CBB’s role in FinTech has involved the launch of a regulatory sandbox and has been instrumental to advancements in licensing new business models such as crypto-currency exchanges, including the first in the region – Rain.
Shaikh Abdulla Al-Khalifa: Shaikh Abdulla Al-Khalifa is Chairman of Batelco, with more than 20 years of experience in the banking and financial Services industries. Shaikh Abdulla is also the Chief Executive Officer of Osool Asset Management, the investment arm of the Social Insurance Organisation and Military Pension Fund.
Khalid Al Rumaihi: HE Khalid Al Rumaihi was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Mumtalakat, with effect from September 2019. Prior to joining Mumtalakat, he served five years as the Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) where he was responsible for channelling inward investments into the country. He continues to play an active role as a Board member of the EDB. Before heading the EDB, Al Rumaihi spent over 10 years at Investcorp as a Managing Director where he was also a member of the Management Committee and Head of the Institutional Placement Team covering Investcorp’s clients in the Arabian Gulf. This was preceded by a 9 year term in J.P. Morgan as head of its private client group in the Gulf region.
Khalid Humaidan: HE Khalid Humaidan joined Bahrain EDB as Chief Executive in September 2019, overseeing EDB’s efforts to further attract investments into the Kingdom to create job opportunities and encourage innovation. Previously, Mr Humaidan was Head of Global Markets MEA at BNP Paribas, with more than 20 years of experience working in capital markets. Mr Humaidan also sits on the board of Mumtalakat. He will be speaking at the panel titled ‘Future of Work’, which explores the transformation of technology in the workplace, and its disruption on modern-day jobs.
Areije Al Shakar: Areije Al Shakar is Director and Fund Manager of Al Waha Fund of Funds, Bahrain’s venture capital fund that supports startups in the region. In addition, Ms Al Shakar is Senior Vice President at Bahrain Development Bank, overseeing the Development Services Division, including coaching, mentoring and entrepreneur development. Ms. Al Shakar will be speaking at the ‘Lining Up the Next Generation of Change Makers: Food Systems’ session to discuss how change-makers can link up with leaders in business to end hunger, achieve carbon neutrality and improve nutrition.
About Bahrain Economic Development Board
The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) is an investment promotion agency with overall responsibility for attracting investment into the Kingdom and supporting initiatives that enhance the investment climate.
The EDB works with the government and both current and prospective investors, in order to ensure that Bahrain’s investment climate is attractive, to communicate the key strengths, and to identify where opportunities exist for further economic growth through investment.
The EDB focuses on several economic sectors that capitalise on Bahrain’s competitive advantages and provide significant investment opportunities. These sectors include financial services, manufacturing, ICT, tourism, logistics and transport.
For more information on the Bahrain EDB visit www.bahrainedb.com; for information about Bahrain visit www.bahrain.com.
