Ways of grasping lucrative investment opportunities while overcoming the challenges of competing on a global scale came up for discussion during a key meeting in London.

This happened when officials from Bahrain's Economic Development Board (EDB) arrived in London this week to attend a conference that brings together financial leaders from across Europe and the world, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The one-day forum, organised by Financial Times Live and The Banker, was the first in a series of high-level, strategic briefings for International Financial Centres (IFCs) taking place in Europe, the US and Asia during 2013 and 2014.

The event provided Bahrain an excellent opportunity to speak to 150 senior banking and financial services professionals from Europe, the US, and the world.

The conference discussed vivid contemporary issues in the financial sector, making a platform to showcase and reaffirm Bahrain's position as a leading financial hub in the Middle East.

EDB executives participated in a panel discussion entitled "Redefining the IFC Model for the New Global economy", in which panellists debated the competitiveness of IFCs, regulations, governance, innovation, and how the IFC model is evolving to meet the demands of the changing economic landscape.

During the panel discussion, the EDB also highlighted Bahrain's position as a regional investment hub, and an excellent gateway to the $1.4 trillion dollar GCC market.

The discussion also highlighted some of the main incentives and benefits of establishing financial headquarters in the kingdom, such as relatively inexpensive living costs, and highly qualified national workforce.

EDB officials also met journalists from the trade media to discuss the asset management industry in Bahrain as well as the sector's strengths and opportunities for further growth in the kingdom and wider region.

Following the forum, EDB officials also met representatives of global financial organisations that are looking to invest and expand their presence in Bahrain. - TradeArabia News Service