Manama, Nov. 3 (BNA): The Ministry of Tourism and Gulf Singapore Bank (SGB) signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Gulf Gateway 2025, setting the stage for new initiatives to drive financial and tourism sustainability, attract premium investments, and strengthen the tourism economy across Bahrain and the region.

Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism and Chairperson of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), reaffirmed Bahrain’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation in financial innovation and smart tourism in line with the Kingdom’s Tourism Strategy 2022–2026.

“This MoU represents a key step in deepening our partnerships with leading global financial institutions. Together with SGB, we will drive business tourism growth, develop innovative smart tourism solutions, and strengthen the synergy between the tourism and banking sectors to solidify Bahrain’s status as a leading regional hub for business and tourism,” the Minister said.

Justin Han, SGB's co-founder, highlighted Bahrain’s strong potential to emerge as a regional leader in tourism and digital finance innovation. He stated that the MoU will enable both sides to strengthen the business tourism ecosystem and deploy smart digital solutions that enhance visitor experiences, streamline services, and drive sustainable economic growth in the region.

The agreement seeks to enhance public–private collaboration through joint initiatives in sustainable tourism and establish a framework for sharing expertise and innovation, positioning Bahrain as a leading example of tourism excellence with a strong focus on business tourism.

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