business bites Bahrainthismonth.com August 2024 89 GIB ISSUES ITS 2023 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT Gulf International Bank B.S.C. (GIB) published the Bank’s groupwide Sustainability Report demonstrating GIB’s commitment to sustainable growth and performance against Environmental, Social and Governance indicators. The report provides an overview of GIB’s strategic approach to sustainability and the Bank’s direct activities and initiatives and discloses them in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) for the year ending 31 December, 2023. It also sets out the values and principles that guide the Bank’s behaviours via a Group Sustainability Framework that ensure that sustainability is embedded in GIB’s approach and offerings. Furthermore, it outlines GIB’s Sustainable and Transition Finance Framework that was adopted in 2023 and sets out how GIB classifies and manages sustainable finance transactions. Key factors reported include a 19 percent reduction in greenhouse emissions relative to the base year of 2020, a female representation of 31 percent in 2023 which is a significant increase when compared to 25 percent in 2018. In addition, the Bank operationalised the Board Sustainability and Climate Change Committee and joined the UN Women Empowerment Principles. ICT PROJECTS AND PURCHASES VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY BHD3.5 MILLION DISCUSSED ICT procurement requests valued at BD3.5 million were discussed at the 72nd Information and Communication Technology Governance Committee’s (ICTGC) meeting chaired by Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) Chief Executive, Mohammed Ali Al Qaed. The meeting’s agenda included the Ministry of Health’s National Genome Programme, which aims to create a genetic map for Bahrain to keep pace with the rapid advancements in genetic testing technologies and an increase in the number of countries creating population genetic maps through genome projects. Also discussed was the second phase of the National Real Estate Databank (Aqari), a key real estate development project that supports the economy by providing accurate and updated property information. The meeting was also attended by Ministry of Education Undersecretary for Policies, Strategies, and Performance, Nawal Al Khater; iGA Deputy Chief Executive of Operations and Governance, Dr. Khalid Ahmed Almutawa; Economic Development Board (EDB) Director of Corporate Services, Linda Mohammed Janahi; University of Bahrain Dean of the College of IT, Dr. Hessa Jassim Al Junaid; Dr. Ali Al-Soufi, the Information Technology Advisor; and the Committee’s support team. FOUR NEW INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES ON GOVERNMENT LAND INVESTMENT PLATFORM Government Land Investment Committee Chairwoman and Undersecretary for Research and Projects at the Prime Minister Office (PMO), Nouf Abdulrahman Jamsheer, has announced the launch of four new investment opportunities on the Government Land Investment Platform. “This initiative aims to attract private sector investments and enhance partnerships, providing quality opportunities for investors and developers while supporting the aspirations of citizens across Bahrain,” says Ms. Jamsheer. The investment opportunities include the investment, leasing, and operation of Lulu Mall and its car parks, covering an area of 20,000sqm for which the application period will remain open until October 27, 2024. Eskan Bank announced a second investment opportunity for a property in East Hidd, intended for establishing a kindergarten on 623sqm, with applications accepted until October 20, 2024. Furthermore, two properties available in East Sitra: one for a car care centre on 5,701sqm, with applications due by October 27, 2024, and another for a kindergarten on 1,749sqm are available with applications accepted until November 3, 2024. Bidding for land available for investment on the Government Land Investment Platform can be done by visiting investmentland.gov.bh.
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