JEDDAH — The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), in cooperation with the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), on Tuesday named Al Baraka Banking Group (ABG) as the Women's Empowerment Partner for Islamic Banking for the year-long campaign to celebrate and promote the role of "Women in the Financial and Banking Sector" being held under the patronage of Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of King and President of the SCW. The year-long campaign has already featured a series of events including a number of roundtable and town hall sessions that have brought industry leaders and women of all levels within the sector together to discuss and debate topics of importance. These events culminate with a main “Women in the Financial and Banking Sector Conference” to be held on Nov. 30, 2015 at the Four Seasons Hotel – Bahrain Bay. Al Baraka Banking Group's is one of the largest international Islamic banks in the world. It has been a pioneer in leading innovation and growth in the industry and across all 15 countries in which it operates through a group of diversified subsidiaries. This includes the Islamic markets of the GCC and broader MENA region as well as Southeast Asia. Adnan Ahmed Yousif, President and Chief Executive of Al Baraka Banking Group (ABG), said “as a leader in the Islamic banking industry, and one of the pioneering banks in Bahrain, we are delighted to announce our support for this important campaign to highlight and further promote the role and position of women in the Islamic finance and banking industry. Our industry is witnessing strong growth and further innovation and excellence is required to ensure its ability to keep pace with demand. Women across the countries in which we operate, and in particular Bahrain, have made significant contributions to the advancement of the sector and with further support and encouragement, we expect their achievements and leadership to grow and add even greater value and impact.” Other supporters of the "Women in the Financial and Banking Sector" campaign and celebrations include National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), KFH-Bahrain and BBK as lead sponsors. In addition to further sponsors, upcoming events and activities planned in cooperation with the industry will soon be announced. Al Baraka Banking Group B.S.C. is licensed as an Islamic wholesale bank by the Central Bank of Bahrain, listed on Bahrain Bourse and Nasdaq Dubai stock exchanges. It is a leading international Islamic banking group providing its unique services in countries with a population totaling around one billion. It is jointly rated BBB+ (long term) / A3 (short term) on the international scale and A+ (bh) (long term) / A2 (bh) (short term) on the national scale with a Stable outlook by Islamic International Rating Agency & Dagong Global Credit Rating Company Limited, and by Standard & Poor's at BB+ (long term) / B (short term) with a Stable outlook. Al Baraka offers retail, corporate, treasury and investment banking services, strictly in accordance with the principles of the Islamic Shariah. The authorized capital of Al Baraka is $1.5 billion, while total equity is at about $2 billion. The Group has a wide geographical presence in the form of subsidiary banking units and representative offices in fifteen countries, which in turn provide their services through over 570 branches. Al Baraka currently has a strong presence in Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan, Bahrain, Pakistan, South Africa, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, including two representative offices in Indonesia and Libya. — SG
