Dr. Waheed Al Qassim, CEO of The Bahrain Association of Banks "BAB", said that the society monitored the total amount of more than ten million dinars donated by banks and financial institutions to "Feena Khair" campaign, noting that the financial and banking institutions in Bahrain have proved once again that the banking sector is at the forefront of the Bahraini sectors to undertake the social responsibility and support for national issues. "The Bahrain Association of Banks is proud of the generous initiatives taken by many Bahraini banks towards supporting national efforts to tackle coronavirus (COVID-19) within the directives of King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the efforts of the rational government headed by the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, and the great role played by the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, which reflects the wise vision of the leadership in the Kingdom to overcome the exceptional circumstances experienced by Bahrain and the rest of the world." he said. Regarding the volume of donations made by Bahraini banks so far to the campaign "Feena Khair," Dr. Al Qassim said, "The Bahraini banking sector proved once again that it is an integral part of the economic and social fabric in Bahrain, and it is one of the most important economic sectors, not in terms of its contribution to the GDP and providing job opportunities for Bahrainis only, but rather for his full commitment to support the Bahraini community." Dr. Al Qassim stressed that these generous donations added to a long list of initiatives undertaken by financial and banking institutions in Bahrain to support national efforts in overcoming such difficult circumstances imposed by the coronavirus, including the retail banks, finance companies and microfinance institutions postponing the installments on all borrowers for six months without Fees or benefits. "Bahraini financial and banking institutions also follow all precautionary and preventive measures to preserve the health and safety of citizens, residents, and workers in the financial sector, such as following the cleansing and sterilization instructions issued by the Ministry of Health, to ensure the safety of the public employees and the safety of their customers. "These measures also include disinfecting currency notes by exposing them to ultraviolet rays or high temperatures or isolating them for not less than 72 hours and also the employees who work in receiving and transferring currency notes wear personal protective equipment according to the instructions of the Central Bank of Bahrain," Dr. Al Qassim explained. — SG
