MANAMA: Under the patronage of H.E. Zayed R Alzayani, the Minister of Industry, Commerce, & Tourism and the Minister in Charge of Bahrain Bourse (BHB), BHB announced the winners of the 2019-2020 TradeQuest Program during a virtual ceremony held on Tuesday, 2nd June 2020 where participants of the program, including the high school and university students, investment advisors, and representatives from sponsoring organizations attended the ceremony virtually.

On this occasion, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Bourse said, “We believe that investing in educational and awareness programs is very important in order to set a foundation for the leaders of tomorrow, hence, supporting the economy of the Kingdom of Bahrain and enhancing its position as a leading financial center.”

“With a demanding and competitive environment nowadays, the focus on practical learning has increased and linking theoretical learning through realistic experience is one of the key elements behind qualified and well-trained individuals who are in a better position to meet the requirements and increasing demands of today’s competitive workplace,” Sh. Khalifa added.

The top three winners from the Private schools category were as follows, 1st Place – St. Christopher’s School, 2nd Place – British School of Bahrain, and 3rd Place – Ibn Khuldoon National School. The top three winners from the Government schools category were as follows: 1st Place – Ahmed Al Omran Secondary Boys School, 2nd Place – Khawla Secondary Girls School, and 3rd Place – Jidhafs Secondary Girls School. The top three winners from the Universities category were as follows: 1st place – Bahrain Polytechnic, 2nd Place – BIBF, and 3rd Place – Royal University for Women.

The 2019-2020 TradeQuest program includes a total of 17 school teams and 7 university teams.  The participating private schools are: Abdul Rahman Kanoo International School, Al Noor International School, British School of Bahrain, Al-Hekma International School, Ibn Khuldoon National School, Naseem International School, New Millennium School, St. Christopher’s School.

The Government Schools are: Ahmed Al Omran Secondary Boys School, Al Hidd Secondary Girls School, Al Istiqlal Secondary Girls School, Al Noor Secondary Girls School, Jidhafs Secondary Girls School, Khawla Secondary Girls Schools, Muharraq Secondary Boys School, Saar Secondary Girls School, and Shaikha Moza Secondary Girls School.

The universities taking part in the program this year are: Ahlia University, AMA International University, Arab Open University, Bahrain Polytechnic, the BIBF, Royal University for Women and University of Bahrain.

Bahrain Bourse is particularly thankful to the following institutions who have sponsored TradeQuest in the interest of enhancing investment awareness among students: Strategic Partner: Tamkeen (Labour Fund). Platinum sponsors include: Ahli United Bank, Bank ABC, Khaleeji Commercial Bank, and National Bank of Bahrain. Gold Sponsors include: Ithmaar Holding, SICO BSC (c) and United Gulf Bank.  Silver Sponsors include: Al Salam Bank – Bahrain, Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), BBK, Bahrain Islamic Bank (BISB), Esterad Investment Company, and Gulf International Bank (GIB), and the Knowledge Partner: the BIBF.

TradeQuest is a simulated business-education partnership program provides participating students a real-life simulation experience of capital market investment by learning the systems and regulations implemented at both Bahrain Bourse and NYSE, analyzing and selecting which shares to invest in, and managing a portfolio of shares.