NBK partnership will help kids have fun discovering the world of banking and financial responsibility
KUWAIT, April 28, 2012 - National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) is the first to partner with M. H. Alshaya in the much anticipated children's edutainment center KidZania, due to open in The Avenues later this year. As the leading bank in Kuwait, NBK will provide all bank activities within the kid-centric city helping to teach children real life aspects of banking and financial responsibility.
NBK Chief Executive Officer - Kuwait, Shaikha Al Bahar, NBK General Manager Consumer Banking Group Mazin Al Nahedh and M. H. Alshaya Chief Executive Officer, Wassim Arabi attended a signing ceremony at NBK's Head Office recently.
"NBK is proud to partner with KidZania Kuwait to be the only bank in the child - sized city. We are excited to be contributing to the growth and development of Kuwait's youth by providing real life lessons for kids to learn financial responsibility," said Shaikha Al Bahar. "We also view this partnership as a valuable opportunity to connect with our future target market and to begin building our customers' lifelong engagement with the NBK brand."
"KidZania is an award-winning concept that is recognised globally for the innovative and fun way in which it helps young children learn how they connect with, and contribute to their community," said Wassim Arabi. "Whether it's a bank, airline or retail chain, our partners make the KidZania experience authentic, immersive and rewarding. Alshaya has a long relationship with NBK and we are delighted that they are the first sponsors for KidZania Kuwait."
The NBK Branch within KidZania Kuwait will be an integral aspect of the child-sized world of KidZania where kids are empowered to manage their own world and explore, through role playing, careers such as being a banker, journalist, police officer or doctor. Children will be introduced to basic banking services so they can deposit and withdraw 'KidZos', the national currency of KidZania which kids can earn, spend, save or invest through the NBK branch and ATMs.
Operated by M.H. Alshaya, KidZania creates a kid-centric city experience designed to educate and inspire 4 to 14-year olds, all in a safe and self-contained 7,000 square meter kid-sized city. KidZania operates just like a real city complete with buildings, paved streets, vehicles, a functioning economy, and recognizable destinations in the form of 'establishments' sponsored and branded by leading multi-national and local brands such as NBK. Designed to educate through experience, fostering the development of life skills - but from a kid perspective, it's all about fun.
About KidZania:
Much more than a children's museum or family entertainment center, KidZania takes interactive entertainment and learning to an entirely new level by combining role playing with real life. KidZania creates a kid-centric city experience designed to educate and inspire 4 to 14-year olds - from arriving at the airport, to visiting a city center to exploring the city streets. We replicate the real world in a safe and self-contained 7,000 square meter kid-sized city. As in the real world, children choose activities - such as being a police officer, doctor, journalist or a shopkeeper - and earn money - 'KidZos', which they can then spend or save. KidZania operates just like a real city complete with buildings, paved streets, vehicles, a functioning economy, and recognizable destinations in the form of 'establishments' sponsored and branded by leading multi-national and local brands. The facilities are designed to educate through experience, fostering the development of life skills, but from a kid's perspective it's all about fun.
KidZania, Inc., headquartered in Mexico, is privately held. This award-winning concept is recognized globally for its unique blend of entertainment and education for children. The first KidZania opened in Mexico City in 1999. There are eight other locations including, Monterrey, Mexico; Tokyo; Jakarta; Osaka; Lisbon; Dubai; Seoul; and Kuala Lumpur. To date, more than 20 million kids and parents have visited the facilities globally. The trajectory continues with 13 facilities in development, including a new facility in Mexico City where kids can drive from point-to-point.
Managed and operated in Kuwait by M.H. Alshaya, KidZania Kuwait is a 7,000 square meter facility, located in The Avenues Phase III.
For more information about KidZania and the facility locations, visit www.KidZania.com and www.alshaya.com.
Contact:
Dalal AlJaser /2258 1343/ dalal.aljaser@alshaya.com
© Press Release 2012
