Gateway Gulf 2024 Forum Concludes Successfully.

Manama: The second edition of the Gateway Gulf 2024 Forum concluded successfully. Organised by Bahrain's Economic Development Board (EDB), the forum attracted 250 participants from business and industry sectors. The sessions on the second and final day focused on high-growth sectors in the region, including tourism, industry, banking, and sports and entertainment. According to Bahrain News Agency, Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism, participated in a panel titled 'Tourism as a Catalyst for Growth in the Gulf,' emphasising tourism's key role in economic diversification across the region. She outlined Bahrain's Tourism Strategy 2022-2026 and highlighted the importance of promoting the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as a unified tourism destination. Khalid Ibrahim Humaidan, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), shared his insights on the evolution of the financial sector, highlighting the importance of digital transformation and leveraging advanced technologies like cloud computing, ar tificial intelligence, and blockchain to drive innovation, while balancing regulatory compliance and consumer protection. Focusing on diversification strategies in metals and heavy industries, Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chairman of Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), highlighted the need to expand Bahrain's aluminium-related industries and enhance local production, especially in high-value-added products throughout the value chain. Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, CEO of Bahrain International Circuit, discussed the significant impact of Formula 1 in boosting Bahrain's global visibility. He noted that over 80 million viewers have followed the race since 2004, with the event in Bahrain serving as a sustainable model that fosters skill transfer. The circuit hosted 363 events in 2023.