Muharraq:The Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland to the UAE and Bahrain, Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE), and the Swiss Business Hub Middle East, is set to host a Swiss delegation at the Fintech Forward 2026 (FF26) event.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the delegation, led by Arthur Mattli, Ambassador of Switzerland to the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain, will be in Bahrain from October 6-8. The visit aims to connect Swiss financial services companies with Bahrain's ecosystem, exploring opportunities for collaboration.
The delegation will comprise Christoph Buehler, Consul General in Dubai; Alain Luck, Diplomatic Advisor at the Embassy; Suhail El Obeid, Senior Consultant for the Middle East at Switzerland Global Enterprise; and representatives from eight Swiss companies active in financial services and fintech.
Their program will include meetings with key stakeholders in Bahrain's ecosystem, such as the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), Bahrain FinTech Bay, and the BENEFIT Company. The Swiss delegates will engage directly with the licensing and strategy teams at the CBB.
A fintech showcase at FF26 will also be part of the program, providing Swiss companies with a platform to connect with industry leaders, investors, and innovators. The focus will be on potential partnerships and strengthening connections between the Swiss and Bahraini fintech sectors. The delegation will also participate in a cultural tour of the Pearling Path in Muharraq.
This visit builds on the longstanding economic relationship between Bahrain and Switzerland, which has expanded over recent decades in financial services, investment, technology, and innovation. It follows a June 2026 visit to Zurich and Geneva by Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, which engaged investors and industry stakeholders in Switzerland.
Mattli commented on the visit, highlighting the strong foundation for cooperation between Switzerland and Bahrain, with synergies across financial services, technology, and innovation. He emphasized the opportunities at Fintech Forward 2026 for exploring potential partnerships between the two markets.