Manama, Bahrain – The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) received a delegation from the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) led by Mr. Alan Vallance, the CEO, to discuss providing more professional certifications and training opportunities for professionals in the fields of insurance and financial planning.

The visiting delegation included Ms. Azlina Bulmer, Interim Membership and Engagement Director, and Ms. Gaenor Jones, Regional Director for the Middle East. They were introduced to key initiatives and professional programmes offered at the BIBF and toured the institute's state-of-the-art facilities, including smart classrooms, main auditorium, library, and high-tech computer labs, expressing admiration for the advanced level and the BIBF’s support for students and learners.

During the visit, the CII and the BIBF discussed ways to further develop their relationship and support the CII's future strategies in the region, with a particular focus on providing more valuable support to the CII members in the region helping them in their career development. The BIBF also arranged official meetings with CEOs and executives of insurance companies to gather market feedback and emphasise the importance of employers in supporting the profession.

In addition, CII delegates also met with His Excellency Mr. Rasheed Mohammed AlMaraj, the Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain, to discuss the Kingdom's efforts in developing the insurance sector, highlighting the importance of the sector and its role in Bahrain's economy.

Mr. Alan Vallance also delivered a masterclass, where he discussed the newly announced Professional Map by the CII, a competency framework for insurance and personal finance professionals to progress their careers. The session was attended by members of the CII and insurance professionals, who gained valuable insights into the latest trends and developments in the insurance industry.

On this occasion, the BIBF’s Director, Dr. Ahmed Abdul Hameed Al-Shaikh, welcomed Mr. Vallance and the accompanying delegation, stressing keenness to strengthen relations with various prestigious international academic and professional institutions, such as the CII, confirming the commitment to developing national cadres in various fields of insurance, through the accredited qualifications it offers, as one of the most important training centres in this field, in addition to the  programmes it offers in various financial and banking sectors, technology and digital transformation.

Dr. Al-Shaikh added that the CII is one of the most prestigious international institutions and the largest accredited body for the preparation of programmes and examinations in the field of insurance and financial planning, and graduates of insurance programmes at the BIBF can obtain an exemption from insurance certificates recognised internationally by the CII.

He also highlighted the keenness to continue cooperation and provide more educational and training opportunities, academic and professional, for students and employees in various insurance fields, which contributes to raising the level of national cadres working in this field, and providing them with all the necessary skills and expertise to always be the first choice in the labour market.

For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the CII, Mr. Alan Vallance, said: “The CII and BIBF share a common goal, to build public trust in the insurance and financial planning professions, wherever consumers may live. Our effectiveness in achieving that aim is enhanced by the strong relationship our two organisations have held over many years and our plans for ever more collaboration in future. It was wonderful to experience the enthusiasm for the important work we do to build professionalism among those we met on this visit, and I look forward to welcoming BIBF colleagues to the UK soon.”

As part of the visit, BIBF received renewal of the CII’s accreditation for its professional insurance certificates, offering 13 different units accredited by the CII in both Arabic and English, ranging from introductory courses to specialised technical units in insurance.

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