Bahrain Bourse opens 25th Edition of TradeQuest Programme

TDT | Manama                                                   

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain Bourse (BHB), recognized as a licensed exchange by the Central Bank of Bahrain, unveiled the 25th edition of the TradeQuest Program for the academic year 2023-2024.

This transformative initiative, tailored for high school and university students, offers hands-on experience in investment trading within financial markets.

The kick-off event witnessed an enthusiastic gathering of students alongside their school and university advisors, joined by investment professionals playing a pivotal role in guiding and mentoring teams throughout the program.

Notably, the programme’s competitive aspect sets teams on a journey through three trading periods, culminating in presentations of their strategies, objectives, and performance to a panel of judges at the conclusion of each period.

The top three finalists from each category, totalling nine finalist teams, will vie for a substantial total of BD 30,000 in cash prizes.

Shaikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, CEO of Bahrain Bourse, emphasized the significance of TradeQuest as a flagship financial literacy program aligning with the key pillars of their strategy.

He stated, “We are committed to fostering financial literacy, a key component of our ESG initiatives, in line with SDG Goal 10.”

Shaikh Khalifa highlighted how the program complements other financial literacy initiatives, including the Smart Investor Program, the Investment Academy, and the Capital Markets Apprenticeship Program.

Sponsors Expressing gratitude, Bahrain Bourse acknowledged the invaluable support from various institutions sponsoring TradeQuest this year.

The programme’s Strategic Sponsor is The Labour Fund (Tamkeen), with Platinum Sponsors including Ahli United Bank, Bank ABC, Khaleeji Bank, and National Bank of Bahrain.

Gold Sponsors comprise Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), Ithmaar Holding, and SICO BSC (c). Silver Sponsors include BBK, Gulf International Bank (GIB), Kuwait Finance House, and United Gulf Bank.

The Knowledge Partner for the program is The Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance (BIBF). This year’s TradeQuest Programme features the active participation of 20 school teams, including 10 private schools and 10 government schools, along with seven esteemed universities contributing to the program.

The universities include the American University of Bahrain, Bahrain Polytechnic, Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance (BIBF), British University of Bahrain, Royal University for Women, University of Bahrain, and University of Technology Bahrain.

Launched in 1997, TradeQuest stands as a pioneering educational partnership program that has garnered extensive support from the financial and educational sectors.

The programme, spanning five months and divided into three progressive stages, provides students with a realistic experience in analyzing and selecting shares, managing portfolios, and immersing themselves in the regulations governing financial markets.

This year’s edition extends its reach to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, and Bahrain Bourse, offering students a comprehensive understanding of global financial dynamics.