BAHRAIN: Bahrain Bourse (BHB) has announced GFH Financial Group (GFH) as a silver sponsor for the “Smart Investor” Program in its 2nd edition for the academic year 2019-2020.

The Smart Investor program is a national awareness program organized in collaboration with INJAZ Bahrain, aiming to promote financial and investment literacy among elementary school students in Bahrain.

To formally announce the sponsorship, Mrs. Narjes Jamal, Chief Operating Officer of Bahrain Bourse, received Mr. Salah Sharif, Chief Administrative Officer of GFH along with officials from both organizations.

Commenting on this occasion, Chief Operating Officer Mrs. Narjes Jamal stated: “We are pleased to have GFH on board as one of the official sponsors of the Smart Investor Program in its 2nd edition. I would like to take this opportunity to thank GFH for their ongoing support to Bahrain Bourse.  The success of this program along with similar programs aimed at promoting financial literacy across the Kingdom of Bahrain, would have not been a success without BHB’s collective efforts and support from various banks and financial institutions.”

Mr. Salah Sharif, Chief Administrative Officer of GFH Financial Group added, “GFH, in our commitment to education and investment excellence, are delighted to support Bahrain Bourse’s Smart Investor program, as part of our initiatives to support the education sector. Financial services in the Kingdom remains a key economic contributor and the early education of our youth in the workings of the financial and investment industry will not only benefit students individually but, importantly, start the training and development of the next generation of finance and investment industry leaders. Bahrain has long been a banking and investment hub for the region and such initiatives will go a long way towards ensuring our human capital and competitive edge remains second to none for generations to come.”

The Smart Investor program is a national awareness program launched in 2018 in collaboration with INJAZ Bahrain targeting elementary students. The program aims at equipping young students with basic concepts related to money management, savings and smart financial planning through interactive edutainment activities in order to assist them in making sound financial decisions.

The Program consists of seven-themed sessions designed to equip students with the following concepts: Thinking, Specifying, Planning, Execution, Saving, Progression, and Evaluation.

The 2nd edition of the Smart Investor Program will kick-off during the academic year 2019-2020.  A ‘Smart Investor Summer Event’ is planned to take place at the West Wing of the Seef Mall during 12-13 July 2019 which includes a series of edutainment activities for children of various age groups designed to help them gain practical financial knowledge.

During the 2018-2019 academic year, the Smart Investor program has been implemented across 76 schools, 213 classes, with the support extended from educators and volunteers targeting more than 6,291 students within Grade 4 elementary level.