The second edition of Fintech Forward (FF24) concluded at the Bahrain Exhibition World, drawing a record-breaking 1,700 attendees over two days.
A third of these attendees hailed from across the Gulf region and beyond, demonstrating the event’s growing international reach.
Organised by Economist Impact and hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), with support from the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), Tamkeen, and Bahrain FinTech Bay (BFB), FF24 pushed boundaries and sparked fresh perspectives.
Discussions delved into how macroeconomic and technological trends are reshaping global finance, while attendees enjoyed high-level networking opportunities with regional and international business leaders.
Finance Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa kicked off the event with a captivating fireside chat. He offered valuable insights on how global trends are impacting the fintech industry, currently experiencing a new wave of growth.
Day one also featured a thought-provoking session with Bahrain EDB Chief Executive Noor Al Khulaif and Binance chief executive Richard Teng. They explored how countries and businesses are developing the next generation of tech talent in a competitive, ever-changing global landscape.
The Transformation Agenda series, held across both days, brought together industry titans and thought leaders. Speakers included experts like Morgan Stanley’s Amy Oldenburg, Wells Fargo’s Rishabh Bhandari, Columbia University’s Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Visa’s Godfrey Day one also featured a thought-provoking session with Bahrain EDB Chief Executive Noor Al Khulaif Sullivan, ATME’s Alex Lola, EY Mena’s Bryan Stirewalt, Bank ABC’s Yousif Almas, NBB board member and ARRAY Innovation chief executive and founder Alaa Saeed, and many more.
Several key partnerships were cemented during the event. Memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed between crypto.com and Benefit, and between SC Ventures by Standard Chartered and BFB, facilitating the expansion of ventures into Bahrain.
The National Bank of Bahrain, in partnership with ARP Digital, launched the GCC’s first bitcoin-linked structured investment on the sidelines of FF24. Additionally, BFB released its 2024 Bahrain Fintech Ecosystem Report.
Moderated by renowned figures like Economist capital markets editor Joshua Roberts, Economist Schumpeter Columnist Jan Piotrowski, and Economist Intelligence Unit analyst Laveena Iyer, sessions explored evolving trends in consumer behaviour, Generative AI, the future of digital payments, and blockchain advancements.
Thanks to its innovative fintech regulatory framework and future-ready workforce, Bahrain has solidified its position as a regional hub for cutting-edge technologies in fintech, open banking, cryptocurrencies, and AI. Global investors are increasingly choosing Bahrain to capitalise on its highly skilled, bilingual workforce, forming the bedrock of a diverse international talent pool.
avinash@gdnmedia.bh
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