On 20-23 March this year The Bahamas Institute of Financial Services (BIFS) will host the 19th World Conference of Banking Institutes at Atlantis Paradise Island. The high-profile international forum will bring together leading professionals in the finance sector to discuss the way forward for the financial services industry. BIFS executive director Kim Bodie explains further:

Q: Can you tell us about the forum and its aims?

A: The World Conference of Banking Institutes is a biennial event that brings together officials from the financial sector and personnel from financial training institutes worldwide. The first such forum was held in 1975 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Participation in this conference will help delegates:
• Keep abreast of changes in the world financial systems
• Understand the impact of technology and globalization on the delivery and acquisition of knowledge
• Explore management issues in the financial sector
• Understand major changes in non-banking education and training fields
• Monitor changes in education and training programmes of participating members
• Expand the participating organizations’ international network and so gain international recognition for their country’s training and educational programmes.

Q: Who will be attending the conference?

A: The forum brings together the executives responsible for the education and training of professionals of financial service providers (banks, insurance companies, investment managers, fund administrators, wealth managers, among others). We are expecting around 300 delegates from all over the world, including the Middle East, Europe, Canada, China, India, the US, the Caribbean region and Africa. Over the years, the conference has attracted delegates from more than 50 countries worldwide.

Q: Who is behind planning this event?

A: Planning this event is a major undertaking of the BIFS. Only one other country in the region, Jamaica, has hosted this event. The Education Committee, along with a highly recognized local events planner and the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (MOTA), are facilitating all the plans to ensure that the forum is a first-class event.

In order for an event of this magnitude to be a success, we are encouraging BIFS member financial institutions and other private sector businesses to be sponsors. The BIFS intends to fully engage all the major stakeholders in the industry, including the Bahamas Financial Services Board and the Association of International Banks and Trust Companies.

Q: What can delegates expect from their visit?

A: Delegates can expect exciting, open forum discussions on a range of diverse topics relevant to the current financial environment. Based on the theme “Creating a Progressive Financial Environment: Trust, Accountability, Competence and Innovation,” discussions on the first day will address trust and accountability, whereas competence and innovation will be the focus of the second day.

There will be a welcome reception for delegates hosted by MOTA on Sunday, March 20, and Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham will declare the conference officially open on the Monday morning. A number of social events have also been planned for delegates and their guests, with a full day of fun activities organized on Blue Lagoon Island, a culture evening at Old Fort Bay and an elegant dinner event.

Delegates can expect a first-class conference, showcasing The Bahamas’ financial services industry, the beauty of our country and the hospitality of our people.