One of the fourteen top alumni's selected from around the world

Manama, 28 September 2010: Amin Al Arrayed, General Manager of First Bahrain, and Managing Director of Majaal Warehouse Co., has been selected by DePaul University in the United States to feature in its graduate success stories for alumni under 40 years of age. The American university whose real measures are the accomplishments of its alumni's, selected 14 of its top young global graduates who have distinguished themselves with not only professional successes but creativity and satisfaction in other facets of life.

While working full time, Al Arrayed completed his MBA from DePaul University and left the banking sector to set up the first dedicated mortgage provider, Reef Real Estate Finance Co. in Bahrain. In 2006, he had the opportunity to join First Bahrain Real Estate Development Co., an innovative regional real estate developer as General Manager. Under his leadership, the company successfully launched its value added project - Majaal a small to medium enterprise (SME)-focused warehousing and logistics facility designed to facilitate the Kingdom's industrial sector. Majaal's first phase features 130,000 square feet of state-of-the-art industrial workspace used by tenants for light manufacturing and storage.

Commenting on the selection, Amin Al Arrayed, who graduated from DePaul University in 2004 said; "Entrepreneurship was the theme of the program that got me thinking about taking that leap of faith and starting up something new. The program was like a change agent in terms of meeting the people who eventually supported me in my kind of entrepreneurial activity and allowed me to gain the confidence to face challenges and learn from experiences . I owe much of my success to my participation in the program and I am grateful to the University for this honour bestowed for my achievements."

In Bahrain, the DePaul University has been associated by the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) in an educational partnership resulting in offering the first graduate program offered by a recognized accredited American University. The flagship in this program centered on the first MBA degree to be ever offered by a U.S. academic institution.

Dr. Mohammed A. Alkhozai, Head of Academic and Executive Center Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance said; "BIBF is proud and privileged to be part of this educational venture that started with an MBA as flagship of the program and continued over the years with the introduction of a number of Master of Science Degrees. Our alumni are the living testimony of the success of the DePaul graduate programs in Bahrain and we congratulate Amin on his achievement, perseverance and hard work and wish him all the best in his career ahead".

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About Amin Al Arrayed
Amin Al Arrayed is the General Manager of First Bahrain, and Managing Director of Majaal. Amin has 14 years' extensive experience in banking and finance and has held various senior management positions, including Regional Head of Retail Banking at BBK (Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait) and Head of Retail and Placement at Real Estate Finance Company (Reef) in Bahrain. In 2001 Amin also held the title of Superintendent of Domestic Affairs for the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) formerly Bahrain Monetary Agency (BMA), during which time he was seconded to Washington DC, where he assisted in the development of a macroeconomic framework for Bahrain and initiated a comparative study of monetary and exchange rate policy issues in GCC countries.

About First Bahrain
First Bahrain Real Estate Development Company is an innovative regional real estate developer established in Kuwait in October 2004. The organisation has a paid up capital of KD 31.5 million

Dedicated to achieving sustainable returns through collaborative relationships, First Bahrain creates enduring value for all stakeholders with a demand-driven investment approach. Operating out of Bahrain and Kuwait, First Bahrain is strategically positioned to execute projects across the GCC, in accordance with the principles of Sharia. 

About BIBF
The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) played a critical role in Bahrain's long-term success as the region's leading financial center. Since its inception in 1981, BIBF has been committed to providing the highest levels of training, education and professional development programs to the financial services industry in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the region.  

Its breadth of training, education and professional development programs covers all major business disciplines including Accounting; Banking; Insurance; Islamic Finance; IT; Management and Leadership expertise. BIBF also has a major emphasis in Academic and Executive development. 

BIBF enjoys strategic relationships with internationally recognized professional organizations which deliver programs jointly with BIBF. These include the Darden Graduate School of Business, DePaul University, University of Wales, ifs School of Finance, International Compliance Association, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, Chartered Insurance Institute, Chartered Management Institute, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. 

Issued on behalf of First Bahrain by Hill & Knowlton.
For press information contact:
Afrah Faraj
Kamalakshi Misra
Hill & Knowlton
Tel: +973 1753 3235
Fax: +973 1753 3370
Email: Afrah.faraj@hillandknowlton.com
Kamalakshi.misra@hillandknowlton.com

© Press Release 2010