Running from 11 May to 11 July 2026, the campaign will see a total of 10 winners selected. Each winner will receive a cash prize of BHD 50, bringing the total prize value to BHD 500.

The campaign targets BDB’s SME clients and features simple and accessible participation criteria. Eligible clients are required to register on the tijara platform.

“This campaign reflects our commitment to accelerating digital transformation and enhancing access to efficient and flexible financial solutions for SMEs. Through the tijara platform, we aim to deliver an integrated banking experience that supports them in managing businesses more effectively. We also seek to encourage wider adoption of digital solutions, thereby improving the efficiency of financial operations and supporting sustainable business growth in line with the Kingdom’s vision for a more advanced digital economy,” Ali Al Aradi, Chief Banking Officer of BDB, said,

The launch of this campaign underscores BDB’s strategic focus on introducing practical initiatives that promote the use of digital channels and respond to evolving market expectations. It further contributes to enhancing service efficiency and the delivery of faster, more accessible banking solutions that support business growth and foster a more dynamic economic environment.

The Bank continues to strengthen its digital ecosystem, reinforcing the competitiveness of the SME sector and supporting its vital role in driving economic development across the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Professor Adel Ismail Al-Alawi, Coordinator of the MBA Program at the College of Education, Administrative and Technical Sciences at the AGU emphasised that this partnership with ESSEC reflects the close cooperation between the two institutions to achieve academic excellence and regional influence, in line with quality assurance standards in higher education. This cooperation also aims to graduate Gulf leaders who develop and strengthen the Gulf economy, motivating them to progress towards professional and personal success.

Prof Al-Alawi expressed the university’s pride in this unique partnership, which has resulted in the graduation of over 215 distinguished business leaders from the Gulf, with an additional 49 graduates expected in June 2026. He emphasized the university’s commitment to providing a work environment that nurtures innovation by strengthening international partnerships with one of the most prestigious French universities.

“The most important feature of this program is its provision of a specialised experience in the field of business administration, which not only equips graduates with the skills necessary for success, but further provides them with a deep understanding of public-private partnerships and utilities management.” The curriculum’s design paves the way for graduates to succeed, helping them overcome challenges and capitalise on opportunities at the forefront of modern infrastructure development. He also noted the program’s focus on digital transformation, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to keep pace with the ever-evolving global technological landscape.

“This program is ranked third globally among MBA programs,” he added. “It represents the culmination of academic cooperation between the French Republic and the Kingdom of Bahrain, in fruitful cooperation with AGU and ESSEC. The program was carefully designed to address the unique challenges of the Gulf region while integrating international standards of excellence, combining theoretical knowledge with practical field experience to achieve genuine successes. Hundreds of young graduates have assumed leadership positions in ministries, companies, and institutions operating in the public and private sectors in the Gulf, demonstrating Gulf countries’ high confidence in the MBA program and the strength of its outputs.”

It is worth noting that this program falls within the university’s strategic direction to promote scientific research, support innovation, and meet the needs of the Gulf and Arab labour markets through high-quality programs and modern practical applications. Admission requires that students be citizens of a GCC country, but Arab residents may also be accepted. Applicants’ bachelor’s degree GPA must not be less than 3.0, and the student must have achieved the required score (depending on the major) on the British IELTS test or its equivalent American TOEFL test. Students must also pass a personal interview and any exams or academic requirements specified by the program and approved by the university, in addition to submitting a health fitness test certificate, and a certificate of good conduct from their university.

Hakeem Health’s flagship platform, HakeemDx, is a clinical decision support engine that integrates with hospital systems, including EMRs and lab platforms, to deliver real-time, bilingual (Arabic/English), evidence-based guidance to clinicians at the point of care, reducing medical errors and supporting better patient outcomes.

Operating on a scalable SaaS model, Hakeem Health is targeting institutional adoption across hospitals, universities and healthcare payers through recurring contracts. With more than 2,000 hospitals across key regional markets, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt, the company is positioned for regional growth.

The investment aligns with Merak Capital’s strategy to support high-growth technology companies, with a focus on artificial intelligence as a driver of innovation. It also reflects the firm’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, supporting digital transformation and the development of knowledge-based industries.

“AI is already delivering measurable productivity gains across industries, and healthcare remains a critical area for impact. Hakeem addresses key challenges in clinical decision-making by enabling faster, more accurate assessments that can improve patient outcomes. Backed by a team with deep industry experience, this represents the kind of innovation we are proud to support,” Abdulelah Alshareef, Principal of Venture Capital at Merak Capital, said.

“Our mission is to help clinicians make better decisions, faster, so patients receive better care. Merak Capital’s investment reinforces that mission and supports the next phase of our growth. This funding enables us to expand our platform “HakeemDx” across hospitals and health systems in the GCC and continue building AI solutions that clinicians trust,” Bilal Adi, Founder and CEO of Hakeem Health, said.

With this investment, Hakeem Health is positioned to accelerate institutional adoption of HakeemDx across the GCC, as regional healthcare systems increasingly look to AI to drive clinical efficiency and quality of care.

Pershing Square, founded in 2003 by Bill Ackman, is one of the most recognized investment management firms globally, with approximately US$36 billion in assets under management, US$26 billion of fee-paying AUM, and 98% permanent capital along with 100% fee-related earnings. The firm has built a distinguished track record, delivering a compounded annual net return that has outperformed the S&P 500 by 550 basis points per annum since its inception in January 2004. In its “Permanent Capital Era” beginning in 2018, the firm has outperformed the S&P 500 by 830 basis points per annum, generating cumulative net returns of 2,644% since inception versus 836% for the S&P 500. The firm’s portfolio comprises high-quality, large-capitalization businesses including holdings in leading technology, consumer and financial services companies.

“Our anchor commitment to the Pershing Square Dual IPO reflects GFH’s deep conviction in both the investment management firm and the fund it manages. Bill Ackman has built one of the most compelling long-term investment track records in the industry, consistently compounding capital at rates that have significantly outperformed broad market indices over more than two decades. The permanent capital structure underpinning this offering is central to our thesis—it allows the firm to take a genuinely long-term view and invest opportunistically during periods of volatility. We look forward to building a long-term partnership with Pershing Square as we continue to expand GFH’s global investment platform alongside world-class investment managers,” Hisham Alrayes, CEO & Board Member of GFH, said.

“We are pleased to welcome GFH as an Anchor Investor in our combined offering. GFH’s commitment reflects a shared belief in the power of permanent capital and long-term, concentrated investing. With permanent capital, Pershing Square has the ideal structure to pursue our investment strategy, which involves the acquisition and long-term ownership of what we consider to be some of the greatest businesses and long-term compounders of shareholder value. We value partnerships with aligned, long-term institutional investors like GFH, and we look forward to a long-term strategic relationship,” Bill Ackman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pershing Square, said.

The Chief said that celebrating Bahraini Press Day is a national duty and an appreciation of the role of journalism and its noble message in protecting society’s civilisational values, consolidating its national achievements and principles through honest words, and strengthening national awareness as an expression of society’s voice and in service of its interests.

He explained that the integration and coordination between the local press and the Ministry of Interior’s police media represent a distinguished model of national work and the integration of roles among its institutions. He praised the national media and the conscious efforts to support and enhance the media system by presenting a message marked by accuracy, speed, and credibility, thereby earning public attention while also combating rumours and misinformation.

The Chief concluded by noting that the national press is an essential partner in achievement. He commended the role of the free and responsible word in the process of building and development, and in shaping generations aware of the value of the nation and committed to protecting it in all circumstances and at all times.

During the call, HE Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah expressed Kuwait’s support for the security measures taken by the Kingdom of Bahrain to maintain its security and enhance its stability.

He praised the efficiency and vigilance of Bahrain’s security authorities, affirming Kuwait’s standing alongside the Kingdom of Bahrain in confronting any threat to its security and stability, in light of the deep-rooted and historic relations between the two countries and their peoples.

The ministry said that 41 members of the main group have been arrested, and legal proceedings are underway against them. 

Search and investigation operations are continuing, and the necessary legal measures are being taken against anyone proven to be involved in the group or to have committed acts that violate the law.

The campaign aimed to educate visitors on the importance of following public safety guidelines and instructions governing maritime activities, thereby contributing to their safety and that of their families.

He praised the measures taken by the Kingdom to protect its security, stability and sovereignty amid the current regional circumstances, affirming that loyalty to the nation and its leadership is a lasting pledge that allows no neutrality, hesitation or leniency.

This came as the Northern Governor received guests of the Northern Governorate Majlis, including dignitaries, notables, and businessmen, who expressed their full support for His Majesty the King’s statements to the media.

They stressed that safeguarding national security and unity is a firmly established priority that must not be compromised. They affirmed their united stance behind HM the King’s leadership and their full support for all decisions taken by the wise leadership to protect the nation’s security and sovereignty and preserve its achievements.

At the official ceremony, Her Excellency welcomed dignitaries including Luigi Brugnaro, Mayor of the City of Venice and Khalid bin Youssef Al Sada, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Italian Republic; as well as renowned Qatari and international guests such as Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi, Qatar Museums CEO; Sheikha Reem Al-Thani, Deputy CEO of ALRIWAQ, Public Art, and Rubaiya Qatar; Wael Shawky, acclaimed artist and Director of The FireStation; Klaus Biesenbach, Director of National Neuegalerie; Maurizio Cattelan, artist; Christophe Cherix, Director of the Museum of Modern Art; Nicholas Cullinan, Director of British Museum; Frida Escobedo, Architect; Lina Ghotmeh, Architect; Maja Hoffman, President of Luma Foundation; Glenn Lowry, Director Emeritus of the Museum of Modern Art; India Mahdavi, Head of Jury for Design Doha Prize 2026; and Wim Pijbes, Director of Droom en Daad Foundation.

“Our participation in La Biennale di Venezia started with the vision of our leadership, the Amir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to encourage dialogue and share the talent of Qatar and the region with the world,” said Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. “We are meeting in a difficult hour, when displacement, destruction, and destabilisation are daily words across our region and beyond. Culture connects what conflict tries to break apart and honours the humanity in each of us. That is why, for this first contribution by Qatar to Venice’s Art Biennale, we invited Rirkrit Tiravanija — a master of communal, interactive experiences — to imagine this exhibition. Under its tent, our community of artists will form, in the oldest and most generous meaning of the word, a tribe: a circle bound by hospitality, by craft, and by the simple conviction that to share a meal, a song, or a story is already to begin to understand one another.”

a gathering of remarkable people features an experimental narrative film by Qatari-American artist Sophia Al-Maria, entitled DAMAR TV (2026); Jerrican (2022–2026), a large-scale sculpture by Kuwaiti-Puerto Rican artist Alia Farid; as well as live musical performances organised by Lebanese artist Tarek Atoui and a culinary programme of Middle Eastern cuisine designed by Palestinian chef Fadi Kattan.

The exhibition opened with live music arranged by Atoui inspired by the structures of the takht (classical Arabic orchestra) and the wasla (musical suite) and featuring more than a half dozen musicians and singers representing seven nations. The performances were accompanied by culinary offerings prepared by Kattan along with chefs and authors Noof Al Marri of the Desert Rose Café at the National Museum of Qatar (Qatar), Noor Murad (Bahrain), and Majed Ali Almatrooshi (United Arab Emirates), and mixologists Anna Patrowicz (Poland/UK) and Vesta Kontrimaviciene (Lithuania) of akub London.

The exhibition is co-curated by Tom Eccles (Executive Director, Center for Curatorial Studies and the Hessel Museum of Art, Bard College) and Ruba Katrib (Chief Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs, MoMA PS1).