Manama, Bahrain 28 September 2023 – The inaugural ‘Fintech Forward 2023’ (FF23), a three-day event taking place on October 10^th-12^th, 2023 in Bahrain Exhibition World announces global digital payments leader, Visa, as one of the esteemed Platinum sponsors. The event will host an ensemble of globally renowned fintech experts, thought leaders, entrepreneurs and investors, to participate in an immersive experience to discuss and debate the state of financial services and fintech at large, and identify opportunities and challenges to catalyse tactical transformation in the field.

Visa’s platinum sponsorship of the FF23 highlights its commitment to enabling the digitisation of financial services through innovation and collaboration for the benefit of local businesses and consumers.

Commenting on this partnership, Malak Alsaffar, Visa’s Country Manager for Bahrain, said: “I am thrilled to announce our sponsorship of the inaugural Fintech Forward 2023 event. We believe that fintech has the potential to drive economic growth, enhance financial inclusion, and transform how consumers and businesses interact. We are excited to support this platform that brings together the brightest minds in fintech to share insights, discuss trends, and shape the future of finance in Bahrain and beyond.”

FF23 is to be hosted under the patronage of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), and in strategic partnership with the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), and powered by Bahrain Fintech Bay (BFB). The three-day event will feature a host of immersive digital experiences, innovative activations, panel discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions.

A renowned pioneer in financial services, Bahrain displayed an acute sense of awareness and was quick to respond to the global hype around fintech. Having recognised the transformative potential of the fintech industry, the Kingdom swiftly upgraded its conducive regulatory framework and continued utilising its highly-skilled workforce to provide a pro-innovation fintech environment that enables the growth and prosperity of established and start-up fintechs alike.  FF23 definitively puts Bahrain on the map as a leading destination for all things fintech, encouraging knowledge exchange and investment support through impactful conversations and sessions tackling themes across three key pillars: innovation, regulation, and investment. Amid a jampacked agenda in collaboration with the Economist Impact, a startup pitch event, and entertainment events.