The Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF) and Standard Chartered Bank have announced a three-year partnership in promoting the BBBF's special interest groups (SIGs).

The SIGs focus on the fields of legal, organisational effectiveness, construction and financial services, security and ICT.

Standard Chartered's affiliation with BBBF will enable the SIGs to continue developing channels of communication for members helping them identify opportunities for business development in their specialised fields.

'Standard Chartered Bank is proud to be associated with the BBBF in sponsoring the SIG platform,' said Standard Chartered Bahrain chief executive Hassan Jarrar.

'As the oldest bank in Bahrain, we are committed to supporting the economies success and societies in which we operate.

'This partnership is one of the ways the bank facilitates global trade and investment corridors because as the world's leading trade bank, with a footprint in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Standard Chartered is ideally placed to play a shaping role in this fast-moving environment,' he added.

'As a UK bank and the first bank in Bahrain, Standard Chartered has demonstrated its commitment since 1920 to the development of business and local community, and this partnership will help further facilitate trade between the kingdom and the UK,' said BBBF chairman Khalid Al Zayani.

'The BBBF could not continue its valuable work without such support, and we are grateful to Jarrar and his team for recognising the contribution BBBF makes to Bahrain's economy.

'We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship,' he added.

SIG chairperson Jill Boggiss, in conjunction with the group heads, is currently working with the Bahrain Polytechnic to establish work placement opportunities for undergraduates who require project-based learning for their degree studies.

There will be a new SIG focused on the needs of young business people, supporting their growth and development in the workplace.-TradeArabia News Service