Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) Governor Rasheed Al Maraj has vowed to support TradeQuest and other initiatives and programmes that contribute to developing the skills of the youth and better prepare them for the job market.

He was speaking as he attended with Bahrain Bourse vice-chairperson Afnan Al Zayani the final TradeQuest Awards Ceremony at the Crowne Plaza hotel yesterday, where 46 students who took part in the simulated stock trading programme "TradeQuest Challenge" were honoured.

The ceremony was attended by students and their families, senior representatives from sponsoring organisations and guests.

TradeQuest is a simulated business-education partnership programme that focuses on investment trading in world financial markets, which operated for the first time in Bahrain in 1996 in co-operation with financial and educational institutions.

The programme is geared to give high school students close-to-life experience in the stock markets, with focus on understanding the rules and regulations, the analysis and selection of stocks, and portfolio management for equities listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Bahrain Stock Exchange.

Al Maraj emphasised the CBB's support to the programme and congratulated the students for their commitment, and hailed the efforts they have put in since its start in October 2011.

He also praised the role of Bahrain Bourse and other sponsoring organisations.

Al Zayani hailed the efforts of the students and appreciated the support and encouragement that they have received from their families and school officials.

She assured that the Bourse's ownership of the programme comes in line with one of its strategy focuses that aims to spread investment awareness.

"The TradeQuest Challenge is one of the programmes that seeks to achieve this objective," she said.

Al Maraj presented this year's trophy and overall winner award to Ibn Khuldoon National School. Al Naseem International School bagged the second prize while Al Noor International School came third.

During the ceremony, Ibn Khuldoon National School received the certificate for "Best Financial Performance" and "Highest Return" at the virtual stock exchange.

St Christopher's School received the certificate for "Lowest Volatility" at the virtual stock exchange and "Best Financial Performance" at Bahrain Bourse.

Abdul Rahman Kanoo International School received the certificate for "Highest Return" at Bahrain Bourse. Al Naseem International School won the certificate for "Lowest Volatility" at Bahrain Bourse, and "Best Presentation".-TradeArabia News Service