Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) and Sustainability Forum Middle East (SFME) today announced that a high-level Sustainable Finance Roundtable will be held on November 3, 2026, at the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel. Convening influential stakeholders from across Bahrain’s financial sector, government, and real economy, the event will explore how sustainable finance can be mobilized to accelerate national development priorities and drive long-term economic resilience.
Themed “Mobilizing Sustainable Finance: Delivering Resilient Growth and Bahrain’s Green Transition,” the roundtable represents a strategic milestone in BBK’s commitment to advancing sustainable finance as a strategic enabler of economic growth, business resilience, and environmental stewardship, while supporting Bahrain’s ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. The roundtable comes at a time of increasing focus on sustainable finance across the region, as financial institutions, businesses and policymakers seek practical pathways to support economic resilience, competitiveness and transition-related investment opportunities.
As one of the Kingdom’s leading financial institutions, BBK recognizes the importance of embedding environmental and social priorities within the financial system. The event builds on BBK’s ongoing efforts to advance sustainable finance through its Sustainable Finance Framework and expanding portfolio of sustainable finance solutions. The roundtable underscores the Bank’s commitment to sustainable finance as a key enabler of long-term growth, one that can unlock new opportunities for clients, drive innovation across financial services, and strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of Bahrain’s economy.
Commenting, Mr. Yaser Alsharifi, Group Chief Executive Officer of BBK, said, “As Bahrain advances toward a more sustainable and diversified economy, sustainable finance will be instrumental in bridging ambition with action and directing capital toward opportunities that deliver both economic and environmental value. At BBK, we are committed to supporting our clients and stakeholders as they navigate this transition and position themselves for long-term success. This roundtable is an opportunity to engage directly with market leaders, listen to evolving needs, and strengthen the ecosystem required to scale sustainable finance across sectors. Our ambition is to work collaboratively to deliver long-term value and impact for our clients and for the Kingdom of Bahrain at this transformative time.”
The roundtable will commence with welcome remarks by Mr. Yaser Alsharifi, Group Chief Executive Officer of BBK, followed by a fireside chat with Mr. Mohamed Alaali, Group Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer of BBK, titled “From Ambition to Action: The Role of Finance in Advancing Bahrain’s Net-Zero Commitment”.
Two strategic panel discussions will follow. The first, “From Frameworks to Action – Strategies for Achieving Scale and Impact”, will feature regional and global financial industry peers, leaders from government organizations driving Bahrain’s green transition, and clients of the Bank from key sectors of the Bahrain economy to share insights, practical examples, and sector-specific pathways for advancing sustainable finance.
The discussion will continue with the second panel looking at “Financing SMEs for Sustainable Growth and National Development,” which will bring together representatives from BBK, SMEs, policymakers, and ecosystem partners to examine how financial institutions can better support the Kingdom’s small and medium-sized enterprises. The session will explore tailored financing solutions, advisory and capacity-building support, and practical approaches to integrating SME needs into product development and credit frameworks, while highlighting the critical role of SME financing in advancing Bahrain’s economic diversification, private sector development, and sustainability objectives
Mr. Mohamed Alaali, Group Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer at BBK, added, “We look forward to hosting this important discussion on the growing demand for sustainable finance and its critical role in supporting Bahrain’s green transition. As the market continues to evolve, sustainable finance is becoming an increasingly important driver of competitiveness, innovation, and long-term value creation. At BBK, we are focused on building the capabilities, partnerships, and product innovation required to help mobilize capital where it is needed most. By bringing together stakeholders from across the financial sector, government, and industry, this roundtable aims to encourage practical dialogue, highlight emerging opportunities, and help advance the sustainable finance agenda in Bahrain.”
Concluding, Ms. Laila Danesh, Chairperson of Sustainability Forum Middle East, said, “Mobilizing sustainable finance is fundamental to translating Bahrain’s climate and sustainability ambitions into tangible progress across the economy. This requires not only capital, but also closer dialogue and collaboration between financial institutions, policymakers and the businesses and industries undertaking the transition. Through this roundtable, Sustainability Forum Middle East is pleased to partner with BBK to bring these stakeholders together, encourage practical discussion around the financing needs and opportunities that exist across different sectors, and help advance solutions that can support resilient, sustainable growth in Bahrain.”