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Prominent role for Banks FEATURE

in sustainable development and economic growth

he Bahrain Association of Banks (BAB), in repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the
cooperation with the Foreign and Finance national economy and support economic growth,
TMinistries and the Central Bank of Bahrain, and the Central Bank of Bahrain looks forward
organized a special celebration on the occasion to more banks’ contributions in this field.” He
of the “International Day of Banks”, during which concluded.
several leaders of the banking sector in Bahrain
and representatives of international organizations, Dr. Nasser bin Mohammed Al Balooshi,
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to Italy,
the World Bank, and diplomats, stressed the said that the UN’s resolution to approve the
significance of this occasion in enriching the proposal of the Bahrain Association of Banks to
debate regarding the role played by banks In designate an International Day of Banks represents
Bahrain and the world in the field of sustainable a new gain for Bahrain on the international scene
development and support for economic growth and
global social stability. and highlights its role as a pioneer in the field of
commitment to the global trend towards achieving
His Excellency Rasheed Al Maraj, Governor of the goals of sustainable development.
Central Bank of Bahrain, stated that the approval “UN’s resolution to designate “International Day
of the UN General Assembly on the proposal of Banks” is a big step in the right direction to
presented by (BAB) to designate an international
day for banks reflects the prestigious reputation highlight the role that banks play in sustainable
development, and to encourage international,
that the Bahraini banking sector enjoys regionally regional and local organizations and entities to
and internationally, especially since this occasion strengthen work with the banking sector to achieve
coincides with the Kingdom of Bahrain celebration this goal, especially since banks have provided
of 100 years of banking.
nearly $ 400 billion over three years to finance the
Al Maraj added during the remote ceremony that sustainable development goals. The UN also stated
this event is essential to highlight the role of banks that financing for the green economy doubled
in Bahrain, the region, and the world in support during the period from 2007 to 2016, reaching
of the UN’s sustainable development agenda about $ 1.7 trillion, most of which came through
for the year 2030, stressing the Central Bank of banks.” Dr. Al Balooshi said.
Bahrain’s keenness to promote the contribution Mr. Adnan Ahmed Yousif Chairman of the Board
of the Bahraini banking sector in various fields of Directors of Bahrain Association of Banks
of sustainable development including developing (BAB), expressed his appreciation for the efforts
human cadres through qualification, training, of various partners of the association in organizing
supporting digital transformation and expanding the initiative to celebrate the “International Day
applications for open banking and financial of Banks”, foremost among them the Ministries
technology “FinTech” .
of Foreign Affairs and Finance, the Central Bank
“We praise the prominent role of Bahraini banks of Bahrain and UNDP in Bahrain, stressing the
in supporting the national efforts to confront the Association’s keenness to make Bahraini banks

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