business bites www.bahrainthismonth.com October 2022 47 Ebdaa for Microfinance - Bahrain has announced the expansion of its current programmes to include the video game sector. These programmes will be made available to hundreds of Bahrainis who intend to launch new businesses or expand their current ventures. Through the initiative, Ebdaa intends to support the digital transformation process and knowledge economy in Bahrain while helping Bahraini youth with ideas and projects related to the design and programming of video games. Ebdaa CEO, Dr. Khalid Al-Ghazzawi, stated that a committed research team is working to identify the funding requirements of video game developers. The research will then determine which of the lending programmes currently offered by the company will best cater to this group of young Bahraini programmers and designers. “We are also prepared to support video game tournaments in the Kingdom as they have the potential to promote the electronic games sector while having a positive impact on the recreational and tourism sector,” says Dr. Al- Ghazzawi. According to a report recently published by ‘Fortune Business Insight’, Bahrain’s market share of video games increased from USD203.12 billion in 2020 and is anticipated to reach about USD546 billion in 2028 at an annual growth rate of 13.2 percent. Vida Beach Resort Marassi Al Bahrain has been selected as the ‘National Winner for MENA’ in the ‘Hotel Project of the Year’ category of this year’s 2022 MEED Projects Awards, in association with Mashreq. The beach resort draws inspiration from art, design, entrepreneurship, and fashion. The lifestyle destination and metropolitan space boasts beautifully appointed, contemporary rooms and vibrant dining outlets, all enjoyed in a beach-front setting. “We are delighted to announce that more than 100 projects have claimed national honours across 18 categories and represent countries from across the MENA region. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, cost inflation and increased logistics costs, the high volume of quality projects that were completed over the last 12 months are a strong indication of the region’s continued progression,” says MEED Group Commercial Director, Sonia Kerrigan. Following an extensive submission and judging process, each of the National Winners were selected on the basis of a number of factors including technological innovation, engineering excellence, and commitment to sustainable practices. Bahrain Bourse has announced Ahli United Bank (AUB) as a Gold Sponsor for the fifth edition of the ‘Smart Investor’ programme. ‘Smart Investor’ is a national awareness programme organised in collaboration with INJAZ Bahrain, and part of the government school curriculum, aimed at promoting financial and investment literacy among elementary school students in Bahrain. This is achieved through interactive edutainment activities. Chief Operating Officer of Bahrain Bourse, Narjes Jamal says: “Support, such as that received from AUB, allowed us to expand the programme by reaching out to more than 8,000 students last year. We look forward to witnessing the positive effect on students’ financial confidence, basic monetary principles, and the long-term financial planning skills that they will establish.” The programme consists of seven themed sessions designed to equip students with the following concepts: Thinking, Specifying, Planning, Execution, Saving, Progression, and Evaluation. Upon completing the programme, students will be able to identify several financial payment methods, such as debit and credit cards, cash, and cheques, as well as recognise the value of saving and develop knowledge on basic financial planning concepts. VIDA BEACH RESORT MARASSI AL BAHRAIN RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD The ‘Smart Investor’ Programme FUNDING FOR BAHRAIN’S VIDEO GAME PROJECTS
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