ITHMAAR BANKING GROUP COMMITTED TO INJAZ BAHRAIN STUDENTS
MANAMA, BAHRAIN – 29 June 2008 – Ithmaar Bank, a Bahrain-based investment bank with global reach, with its subsidiaries and associated companies known as the Ithmaar banking group, hosted a seminar for over 20 students participating in the Injaz Bahrain program. The seminar, held at the bank’s headquarters in the Seef District, for the students of Muharraq Secondary School, was presented by Dheya Al-Shekar, Human Resources Director, Ithmaar Bank.
Ms. Al-Shekar spoke to students about Ithmaar Bank’s vision, mission and organizational structure and discussed the career opportunities that exist in the investment banking sector. General guidelines were also provided to the students on how to choose their university discipline according to their interests, competencies and market opportunities. The seminar concluded with a question and answer session between the students and Ms. Al-Shekar.
In addition to the seminar, two young Bahraini employees of the bank, Fahad Alqadhi, Assistant Director, Human Resources and Sara Juma, Associate, Group Corporate Communications presented a ‘Banks in Action’ course to the students. The ‘Banks in Action’ course facilitated by Injaz Bahrain is run by young professionals who are able to share their expertise and knowledge of the business world with students.
Mr. Michael P. Lee, Chief Executive Officer & Member of the Board of Ithmaar Bank said, “With Bahrain being the financial capital of the Middle East, it is essential for the banking community to come together and support training and development programmes for Bahrain’s young adults.
Ithmaar Bank has always focused its corporate social responsibility efforts on programmes dedicated to the education of tomorrow’s leaders.”
Ithmaar Bank’s Managing Director, Group Support, Mr. Ahmad Abdul Rahim, is a board member at Injaz Bahrain and the bank has worked closely with the organization on a number of key initiatives. Earlier this year Ithmaar Bank’s flagship subsidiaries, Shamil Bank and Solidarity, were honoured for their outstanding support for education and community-based programmes at a ceremony held under the patronage of Injaz Bahrain Executive Director, Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa.
Shamil Bank also participated in Ithmaar’s recent program of Injaz Bahrain students, Enas Mohammed Rahimi and Eman Ali Qudrat from Shamil Bank delivered an “Enterprise in Action” course and Sajidah Abdulla Al Shehabi also from Shamil Bank presented a “Banks in Action” course. Salah El Din El Bes from Solidarity in nominated to participate in the upcoming Injaz program.
As part of its constant commitment to education, last year Ithmaar Bank launched the $4.2 million ‘Ithmaar Education and Training Fund’, which sponsors the schooling of 16 orphans each year and also provides postgraduate education in top tier Universities, both in Bahrain and the UK, to capable young students from across the Muslim world.
About Ithmaar Bank:
Ithmaar Bank B.S.C. (ticker: ITHMR) is licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain and listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange and the Kuwait Stock Exchange. It has a paid-up capital of $543.6 million, total equity of $1.3 billion and is a full investment bank with its direct business covering the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, as well as South Asia, Asia-Pacific and Europe. Besides holding significant investments in the banking, financial services and real estate sectors in different markets, the main direct activities of the Bank include underwriting (equity and other financings), private equity (structuring, participation and portfolio management), Islamic financing and advisory services covering project financing, investments, capital markets and mergers & acquisitions.
Ithmaar Bank’s flagship subsidiaries and associates are Shamil Bank, Solidarity (an Islamic insurance company, headquartered in Bahrain), Faisal Private Bank (Switzerland), Faysal Bank Limited (Pakistan), First Leasing Bank and Ithmaar Development Company.