#Google Cloud #Bahrain #Manama #Fintech Forward #Bahrain EDB

Fintech Forward 2025: A Milestone Event in the Fintech Industry

Fintech Forward 2025 (FF25), hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), concluded on an impressive note today at the Exhibition World Bahrain. This pivotal event brought together policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders from around the globe to shape the future of financial services.

This year marked the third edition of FF25, reflecting unprecedented growth with record numbers of sponsors, attendees, and partnerships. A total of 38 memoranda of understanding and strategic agreements were signed, signaling not only the depth of collaboration within the fintech space but also the confidence that global investors place in Bahrain's fintech ecosystem.

Bahrain's Ambitious Role in Global Fintech

Bahrain, positioned strategically in the heart of the Gulf, is enhancing its ambitions in global financial services and fintech. The event attracted around 2,000 participants and garnered support from key players in the region's financial and technology sectors. As the leading fintech event in the region, FF25 created a strong international presence, welcoming representatives from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, and India.

Among the significant agreements announced was the successful pilot of a new Google-Cloud infrastructure for payment transactions. This groundbreaking partnership involves Bahrain Fintech Bay and major banks, including the National Bank of Bahrain, Bahrain Islamic Bank, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait, and BENEFIT, enabling instantaneous payments using digital business banking credits on the Google Cloud Universal Ledger. This innovative project emphasizes Bahrain's role as a testing ground for next-generation financial technologies and its ability to foster impactful cross-border collaborations.

A Landmark Delegation

During the event, Bahrain's EDB hosted a delegation from the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the largest ever to visit any single country, comprising 70 delegates from 36 fintech companies. This reinforces the collective commitment to cross-border innovation and financial collaboration aimed at sustainable economic growth. Notably, three British firms — Umazi, Ajyad Valexa, and Aman by Themis — announced their market entry into Bahrain, further highlighting the kingdom's growing appeal as a gateway for international fintech expansion.

The theme of this year's event,