Bahrain FinTech Bay, the Kingdom’s primary ecosystem builder for financial technology, recently convened a high-level roundtable to address the pressing need for specialized workforce development in the financial sector. Organized in collaboration with the Bahrain Association of Banks (BAB), the session brought together industry leaders, human resources experts, and digital transformation specialists from local financial institutions to map out training priorities essential for navigating the evolving fintech landscape.
Strategizing for a Digital Future
The roundtable, titled “Training Priorities in FinTech and Digital Transformation,” focused on identifying the specific skills gaps currently facing Bahrain’s banking sector. Participants engaged in a comprehensive dialogue regarding the design of educational programs, exploring optimal learning formats, implementation mechanisms, and target demographics.
Key representatives from the Bahrain Association of Banks included the Human Capital Committee, led by Ms. Afnan Saleh, and the Digital Transformation and Innovation Committee, headed by Dr. Yousef Al-Mas. The discussions aimed to ensure that future training initiatives are not only relevant but are strictly aligned with the operational needs of financial institutions undergoing digital transition.
Strengthening National Competitiveness
A central theme of the gathering was the alignment of corporate human resource strategies with broader national goals. The attendees examined ways to enhance the “National FinTech Talent Program,” ensuring it meets the rigorous demands of the market. By fostering collaboration between ecosystem builders and established banks, the initiative seeks to future-proof the local workforce, ensuring Bahraini professionals remain competitive in a rapidly digitizing global economy.
Commitment to Human Capital
Zeeba Askar, CEO of the Bahrain Association of Banks, emphasized that the association’s participation reflects a deep commitment to supporting national initiatives aimed at human capital development. She highlighted that investing in qualitative training and capacity building in emerging technologies is a fundamental pillar for enhancing the competitiveness of the banking sector and ensuring its sustainable growth. Askar noted that such dialogues are critical for preparing banking competencies to meet future requirements, particularly in the realms of fintech and digital innovation.
About Bahrain FinTech Bay
Bahrain FinTech Bay is an ecosystem builder that incubates impactful and scalable fintech initiatives through innovation labs, acceleration programs, curated activities, and educational opportunities. A subsidiary of the BENEFIT Company, it serves as a collaborative platform dedicated to furthering the development, interaction, and acceleration of the fintech ecosystem. To bring the full spectrum of market participants together, BFB partners with governmental bodies, financial institutions, corporates, consultancy firms, universities, associations, venture capital firms, and fintech startups.
Source: Bahrain FinTech Bay
