BHB, Education Ministry sign cooperation agreement

Manama, Aug. 7 (BNA): Bahrain Bourse (BHB) and the Ministry of Education signed a cooperation agreement today. The agreement aims at enhancing the areas of cooperation between Bahrain Bourse and the Ministry of Education in areas related to spreading investment awareness among students such as the launch of a new initiative called the Smart Investor Programme. The Smart Investor Programme aims at raising awareness on the concepts of saving and investment among students. The agreement was signed by Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Bourse Shaikh Khalifa bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, and Undersecretary for Education Affairs and Curriculum Dr. Fawzi Abdulrahman Al-Jowder. The Smart Investor is an awareness Programme targeted towards elementary and secondary school students with the objective of introducing the concept of saving & investment among students by using various tools to emphasize the importance of the concept to them as individuals, their families, and their country in a very simple module that suits their respective age group. The Programme also aims to prepare students to interact positively with the environment when it comes to understanding financial matters and the fundamentals of saving, investment, and the foundations of money management. In addition, the Programme introduces students to financial institutions and other parties related to financial matters and develops their skills in buying, selling, and consuming. The Programme consists of various content including the Smart Investor Magazine, a series of awareness sessions, a portable exhibition, along with theatric performances. On this occasion, Undersecretary for Education Affairs and Curriculum Dr. Fawzi Abdulrahman Al Jowder welcomed the collaboration with Bahrain Bourse and highlighted the importance of this Programme in developing the skills and talents of students to prepare generations that can keep up with the developments. "This cooperation agreement contributes to developing students’ investment skills and equips them with the knowledge and practical skills required in the areas of investment, saving, and money management," Dr. Fawzi added. CEO of Bahrain Bourse Shaikh Khalifa bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said the agreement will build on the areas of cooperation between the Ministry of Education and Bahrain Bourse and enhance the capability of both parties to offer more Programmes and initiatives that aim at spreading investment awareness among students to prepare a generation who is aware of saving and investment concepts, therefore reflecting on the prosperity of the country in the short and long term and its various sectors. Shaikh Khalifa assured that launching such Programmes goes in line with the Bourse’s social responsibility and our belief of the importance of spreading investment awareness across all age groups. "The Smart Investor Programme is one of many other awareness Programmes and initiatives launched by the Bourse to target different age groups, such as the Trade-Quest Programme, Investor Relations Programme, and Saving & Investment Sessions," Shaikh Khalifa added. It is worth mentioning that Bahrain Bourse has issued its first issue of the Smart Investor Magazine in 2014. The magazine is an awareness publication that contains subjects to build the foundations of investment awareness among children, and focuses on the importance of saving along with introducing them to bank accounts and operations, as wells as a series of stories and information, puzzles, and news.