The Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies, EIBFS, has reported the participation of a high number of professionals in its programmes during the first six months of this year, ended 30th June, 2017.

During the period, EIBFS trained a total of 9,701 financial professionals and students, including 2,473 UAE nationals representing 25 percent of the total number of participants. The training of nationals is in line with the vision of the UAE leadership to enhance the capabilities and professional qualifications of its own citizens.

Speaking on the occasion, Jamal Al Jasmi, EIBFS General Manager, said, "The growing number of participants in our programmes reiterates our position as one of the leading financial educational and training institutions in the region. Mandated to promote Emiratisation efforts, we at EIBFS are delighted to support the emerging talent among our young UAE nationals who are keen to explore new careers or advance in their banking and financial jobs. The empowerment of citizens in the financial sector in the country is a top priority for the Institute. Given the continued growth registered by various sectors in the UAE, we recognise the urgent need for active participation of nationals in diverse fields."

Al Jasmi added, "The figures we have achieved in the first half of the year reaffirm the institute’s commitment to establishing high industry standards and developing initiatives in line with the needs of the market."

The institute delivered a total of 434 educational and training programmes in various sectors of finance. EIBFS also organised 45 special training programmes, 52 programmes in the insurance sector, 40 e-learning programmes and seven specialised workshops with 940 participants, all designed to meet the training requirements of the banking sector. All the programmes adhered to the highest professional standards of the insurance and banking industry.

As part of the continuous development of senior UAE nationals in the banking sector, EIBFS, along with UAE banks, nominated 11 professionals to attend the annual Leadership Development Programme at the University of Virginia, USA, in May 2017. The institute also hosted several seminars for the financial community inviting senior experts across industry and consultancies to share their knowledge and experience. Topics included VAT for corporates and SMEs, new commercial companies law and insolvency law and the need for banks to prioritise cybersecurity programmes.