US$30,000 Grant to Support "Start your Business" Workshops for Bahraini Entrepreneurs
Manama - Citi and the Bahrain Training Institute (BTI), part of the Ministry of Labor, today announced the launch of "Start your Business workshops for Bahraini Entrepreneurs". Supported by a US$30,000 grant from the Citi Foundation, Citi's social investment arm, the program offers 50 startup entrepreneurs lifelong vocational and entrepreneurship training on starting, sustaining and growing small businesses.
Throughout 9 workshops spanning (2 months), the program will help enhance knowledge of feasibility studies, production & operating requirements, customer care approach, marketing/sales strategy and capital requirements. Among other objectives, the program is designed to strengthen women participation in the private sector so they can better contribute to their families' welfare.
The Citi Foundation has previously sponsored three training programs at BTI benefiting 45 Bahrainis, namely the 'Women in Banking Diploma' in 2005, and the 'Diploma in Banking for the Physically Challenged' in 2006, and has trained orphans on IT skills in 2007.
Mayank Malik, Citi Country Officer, Citibank Bahrain, said: "Citi and the Citi Foundation are proud to be associated with BTI for the benefit of communities in Bahrain. During its 39-year presence in Bahrain, the bank has played a leadership role in financial as well as social domains across the Kingdom. This program will certainly boost the careers of deserving Bahrainis and will improve their employment opportunities."
Mr Hameed Saleh, BTI's General Director, said: "This is not the first time that Citi engages with BTI in supporting focused training/workshops which aims at helping Bahraini nationals enter the labour market. Today's gesture is aimed at paving the way for entrepreneurs to start their businesses and it's in line with our aim to build strong partnerships with the private sector and to address the sector's recruitment needs."
Citi has been in the Arab World for nearly 50 years and continues to view the region as critical to its global franchise. It is currently present in ten Arab countries including Egypt, UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.
-Ends-
About Citi
Citi, the leading global financial services company, has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries, providing consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, and wealth management. Citi's major brand names include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Smith Barney, Banamex, and Nikko. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com
About Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation is committed to enhancing economic opportunities for underserved individuals and families in the communities where we work throughout the world. Globally, the Citi Foundation is focusing its giving on Microfinance and Microentrepreneurship, which helps individuals become economically self-sufficient; Small and Growing Businesses, leading to economic expansion and job creation; Education, which prepares young people for personal and professional success; Financial Education, which helps individuals make informed financial decisions; and the Environment with a focus on sustainable enterprises that generate jobs and stimulate economic growth while preserving the environment. Additional information can be found at http://www.citigroupfoundation.com/.
About Citi Financial Education Programme
Based on the belief that knowledge is your greatest asset ®, the Citi Financial Education Program is a global, company-wide effort to identify, support and implement initiatives that help give individuals, families and communities the tools needed to make sound financial decisions. Citi's 10-year, $200 million global commitment is focused in three areas: Personal, Small Business and Institutional Financial Education. Additional information about Citi's Financial Education Program, including Citi Foundation guidelines, links and resources, and the Citi Financial Education Program Curriculum, may be found at: http://financialeducation.citi.com/.
In 2006 the Citi Foundation supported financial education programmemes in 70 countries and territories by making 616 grants totalling (US$) 26 million to organisations like HRDF in Bahrain, Personal Finance Education Group in United Kingdom and Stiftung Lesen in Germany.
For further details, please contact:
Deema Murad
Public Affairs Officer
Citi
++973 17 588 644
deema.murad@citi.com
© Press Release 2008
