Bahrain This Month - February 2023

Bangladesh Ambassador, HE Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam

Executive Chef Olivier Catora, Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain

Resort & Spa

Middle East Hospital Christmas Celebration

Middle East Hospital held a Christmas party for its staff to celebrate the festive season in 2022.

THE TEAM

Publisher and Chairman

George F. Middleton

Editor

Farah Baig

Online Editor

Farrah Saville

Contributors

Bill Grieve, Ouiam El Hassani, Pria Masson, Kristian Harrison

Editorial Consultant

Ahdeya Ahmed

Print Production Manager

Sabu Sebastian

Art Director

Hatem Monem

Webmaster

Nishad Eapen

CRM & Database Coordinator

Muna Yousef

Staff Photographer

Subeesh Kumar N S

Administration and Finance

Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa

Distribution Team

CM Abdul Rahman, Gopal Arul Kumar

Distributor

Al Hilal Group (Hilal Direct Services)

Media Sales Director

Anuradha Manhas anuradha@redhousemarketing.com

Digital Media Executive

Amina Syed amina@redhousemarketing.com

DIGITAL & CONTENT MARKETING TEAM

Digital Strategy Director

Lini Reghunath

Digital Marketing Director

Farah Baig

Director of Film

Danny Sokov

Social Media Managers

Shilu Babu, Rohit Reghunath

Printing Press

Union Press, Bahrain

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Welcome to another exciting edition of Bahrain

This Month. 2023 has been off to a phenomenal start with plenty of exciting events and the opening of spectacular new venues across the island. As always, we’re here to tell you how to make the most of it. The Spring of Culture returns with its 17th edition this month, much to the excitement of residents. Find our favourite Spring of Culture events in addition to exciting concerts, nightlife and motoring events in our Happenings section.

FinTech has been growing rapidly, consequently changing the world of finance on a global scale. This month, we spoke to industry leaders who revealed developments in the field and shared their thoughts on how Bahrain has been advancing towards being a cashless society. In our interview section, we also speak to the Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, HE Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, about the long-standing relationship between the two nations and potential to boost trade.

Love is universal, as is Valentine’s Day! In our Valentine’s feature, you will find unique offerings from the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay in addition to an exciting interview with the Executive Chef Olivier Catora at the newly-opened Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort and Spa.

There’s no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with a delectable dinner, divine afternoon tea or even an exciting brunch. Flip through our dining section to explore some of the best options, and be sure to explore bahrainthismonth.com for an even more extensive list closer to the day. We also reviewed the delectable offerings at the stunning Thai Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain – an outstanding choice for dining.

In our Motoring section, Bill Grieve test drives the Bestune B70S, a luxury Chinese vehicle from Al Haddad International Motors. We also reveal what you can expect at the upcoming Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2023. In our Commerce section, Pria Masson tells us about the rise and fall of crypto, fad investing and its associated risks.

There’s plenty of inspiration to be found in Woman This Month too. This month, we interviewed Bahrain’s ballerina, Marija Rakic, who opened up about representing Bahrain in Paris as part of a dance delegation at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Meanwhile, the woman behind the viral art account Fem Visionary, Madhu S., tells us how committing to a goal for just one year changed her life and led to her amassing a following of over 225,000 people.

In our opinion section, renowned Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) and Accredited Chartered Manager (CMI), Eman Deabil, tells us how we can achieve our goals in 2023 by incorporating a Personal Balanced Scorecard. Ouiam El Hassani, on the other hand, tells us how we can parent our children so they may be better friends, while Farrah Saville shares her thoughts on resolutions and if there really is a need for a “new you”.

In our In Her Shoes section, we catch up with the Operations Manager at Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa, Seef – Varsha Bhatia. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, you’ll also find some fantastic fashion and beauty to inspire you.

Remember, to explore Your Guide to a Great Way of Life any time of day, visit bahrainthismonth.com or follow us on the social media platforms Facebook and Instagram.

George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman

10 20 38 49 32 22 37 53

Spring of Culture, nightlife and other events

A long-lasting friendship

Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, HE Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, discusses the long-standing relationship between the two nations.

A New Era in Culinary Adventures

We speak to Executive Chef at Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort and Spa, Olivier Catora.

FINTECH FEATURE DINING

ISSUE 306 CONTENTS 37

Leading professionals in the FinTech industry share their thoughts on the progression of FinTech, their applications in society, and the future of finance.

A Divine Experience at Thai

We feast on some of the most exceptional offerings at Thai Lounge located at The RitzCarlton, Bahrain.

Food is Love!

The best of Valentine’s Day dining at some of the Kingdom’s best hospitality venues.

A Luxurious Drive

We test drove the Bestune B70S and were pleasantly surprised to experience luxury brand standards and sports car performance.

The Other Side of Returns

Exploring the rise and fall of crypto, fad investing and risks.

68

FASHION

Your Valentine’s Day Beauty Essentials

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner; here are five products to spoil yourself with this month!

OPINION

Is A New You Really Necessary?

62 64 66 73

Valentine’s Day Chic!

As Valentine’s Day draws closer, we bring you some of our most-loved outfits and accessories.

PEOPLE

67 70

Bahrain’s Ballerina

Marija Rakic talks ballet, Bahrain and building her dream on the island. She also opens up about representing Bahrain in Paris as part of a dance delegation at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

Creating a Masterpiece

Madhu S., the vibrant personality behind the viral art account Fem Visionary, tells Farah Baig how an act of commitment and passion came together to change her life.

In Her Shoes - VarshaBhatia

We caught up with the delightful Varsha Bhatiathe Operations Manager at Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa, Seef.

72

Farrah Saville looks at New Year’s resolutions and asks if “letting go of the pressures of new” will be better for all of us.

The Personal Balanced Scorecard

Eman Deabil, tells us how we can develop our yearly personal plan, evaluate our personal performance and achieve our goals by incorporating a personal Balanced Scorecard.

Friends Forever

Ouiam El Hassani explains how to help your child be a good friend through playdates.

rhmbahrain

2023 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix

With the 2023 FIA Formula 1 World Championship fast approaching, Bahrain International Circuit, “The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East”, held an event to launch the opening round of the 2023 F1 season and Bahrain’s biggest sports and entertainment show, the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. The event was held at Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort and Spa, Sakhir.

FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS

WHATS POPPIN

FEBRUARY 23

HARTBEAT EXPERIENCE: JACK HARLOW

Young American rapper, Jack Harlow, will be performing for the first time in Bahrain at Al Dana Amphitheatre. While Jack Harlow has been performing since 2015, his first major breakthrough came in 2020 with the single ‘What’s Poppin.’ which grew wildly popular on TikTok and skyrocketed him to fame. Following a remix with rappers DaBaby, Tory Lanez, and Lil Wayne, the single then peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and went on to receive a Grammy Award nomination. His debut studio album, ‘That’s What They All Say’, was released in 2020 and certified platinum in the US. In 2021, ‘Industry Baby’, (a collaboration with Lil Nas X) reached number one on the Hot 100, becoming Harlow’s first chart-topper. Harlow released his second album ‘Come Home, the Kids Miss You’ in 2022, and its single ‘First Class’ became his second number one on the Hot 100 and first to debut atop the chart. Concert goers can opt for one-day or two-day passes including the Kevin Hart event.

Visit aldana.com.bh.

HAVE A HART

FEBRUARY 23

HARTBEAT EXPERIENCE: KEVIN HART

AL DANA AMPHITHEATRE

Get ready for a night filled with laughter with none other than worldfamous comedian, Kevin Hart. The stand up comedian needs no introduction as he has been performing across the world and has starred in several sell-out movies since the start of his career. Get ready for a night of live comedy, Kevin Hart style with the Hartbeat Experience! Concert goers can opt for one-day or two-day passes including the Jack Harlow event.

Visit aldana.com.bh.

AN ELEVATED WEEKEND

Party in style every weekend at the oh-so-chic Chi Rooftop. The rooftop was recently relaunched and is the place to be! It offers spectacular views of the city, delectable food and beverages and fantastic nightlife.

On Thursdays and Fridays from 8pm to late you can enjoy some sensational beats courtesy of a phenomenal lineup of DJs including Mesut Kutbay, DJ Soufee, DJ Kumru, DJ Yang and resident DJ Salime. Weekend Parties are lit at Chi Rooftop! Entry is free for all. Door policies apply.. Call 35 091-542 or 17 007-770.

A TEST RUN

FEBRUARY

23 AND

25 F1 PRE-SEASON TESTING BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT

PUT THE PEDAL TO THE MEDAL

FEBRUARY 25 BIC 2000CC CHALLENGE BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT

Here’s a fantastic opportunity for fans to enjoy both the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2023 and F1’s pre-season testing at a single price. The Bahrain International Circuit has announced that those who have purchased their F1 tickets before February 1, will be able to attend the two open days of the F1 Aramco Pre-Season Testing 2023 at BIC at no extra cost. All ticket-holders will be able to follow the testing from seats along BIC’s Main Grandstand, which offer fantastic views of the F1 teams’ garages along the main pit lane as well as the main straight of BIC’s 5.412-kilometre track layout. These sessions will be the only chance for F1’s superstar drivers and teams to get their challengers out on the circuit in preparation for the start of the 2023 season in Sakhir, set to take place just one week later from March 3 to 5. The F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix will be the first of 23 rounds on the 2023 FIA F1 World Championship calendar.

Visit bahraingp.com or call 17 450-000.

The BIC 2,000cc Challenge will get racing underway with a 30-minute practice session. Qualifying will then be held from 11.15am, setting the grid for Race One starting at 1.18pm. Race Two will flag off from 2.48pm, with both sprints featuring 12 laps.

The BIC 2,000cc Challenge is the longest-running circuit racing championship in the region. It is a home-grown, two-litre series, born and nurtured at BIC and featuring many of the Kingdom’s best racing talents of various ages and nationalities.

Andrew Rey and Moaz Elzahrawi were triumphant from the seasonopening round held in November and they will be looking to continue their winning ways against a top-quality field.

Meanwhile, the Bahrain Motorcycle Championship will feature two competition categories, including the Superstock 600cc and Superstock 1,000cc. The riders will have their 30-minute Practice session from 10.40am before Qualifying kicks off at 11.55am. They will then line up on the grid for one 12-lap Race, starting at 2.03pm.

The meeting’s podium ceremony is scheduled to begin at 3.25pm following the completion of all the action.

Visit bahraingp.com or call 17 450-000.

LADIES, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU

EVERY WEDNESDAY CHI LADIES’ NIGHT CHI ROOFTOP (MEISEI, ADLIYA)

STEEP YOURSELVES IN ART

UNTIL FEBRUARY 25

ONE END: ALWAYS PRESENT AL RIWAQ ART SPACE

Ladies, get together and enjoy a glamourous evening at Chi Rooftop!

DJs Mesut Kutbay and Kumru Turkmen will set the night with their mesmerising music. Ladies receive two free beverages. Doors open at 8pm. Call 35 091-542 or 17 007-770.

FAR EAST BEATS

FEBRUARY 12

CHIANG MAI FLOWER MUSIC FESTIVAL WAIKIKI KITCHEN BAHRAIN

History is often described as an accumulation of things remembered, experiences and events that are later documented, archived, and used to validate a constructed narrative that gives reason to the present. In this exhibition by artists Aziz Motawa and Mashael Alsaie, expressions of time are critically revisited.

Inviting the viewer to contemplate through popular myths, photographic evidence, and possibilities. The works examine prevailing assumptions of our present and future. Using Bahrain as a case study, the artists employ diverse practices to focus attention on the complex nexus of interests that define the modern state.

Al Riwaq is open from Saturday to Thursday from 10am to 8pm. Entry to the exhibition is free for all. Call 17 041-192.

Renowned Thai rapper P-HOT99 will be performing in Bahrain for the first time ever this month as part of the Chiang Mai Flower Festival.

Thailand is known to have one of the world’s most unique traditions and lifestyles, and Thai rap and hip hop adds to their rich music scene. With the rise of Thailand’s rap scene, P-HOT99 has showcased his artistry through a musical landscape of creativity and versatility.

Experience the best of Thai rap with P-HOT99 performing some of his most popular hits including ‘Water’, ‘My Girl, Don’t Touch’, ‘Safari’ and ‘Bye Bye’. There’s plenty of entertainment to be enjoyed with live acts, dances, fire shows and more. DJ Andy and DJ Crazy Quais will be spinning some sick tracks too. Pre-sale tickets are priced at BD7 while tickets are priced at BD15 at the door. Call 38 113-360 or 38 400-013.

SPRING OF CULTURE EVENTS

THE KING OF WALTZ

16

A CULINARY JOURNEY

FEBRUARY 1 TO MARCH 31

The Spring of Culture, quite literally, provides us with a golden opportunity to reconnect with and understand Bahrain’s rich culture. The question now is: If Bahraini cuisine had a voice, what would it say about its dishes? Participants will be taken on a culinary journey through four immersive culinary experiences at four different venues within the World Heritage Site: Qal’at Bu Mahir, the Murad House, the Pearling Path Visitors Centre, and the Archaeologies of Green Pavilion. Participants will discover the stories behind Bahraini food through dishes derived from the local environment, as well as the influence of neighbouring regions, trade, and cultural ties throughout history. Fees are applicable at each venue. Pre-registration is required. This activity is for those 18 years and older. Visit springofculture.org.

ART FOR THE SOUL

FEBRUARY 8 TO MARCH 30

The Spring of Culture festival returns with its 17th edition, bringing with it some of the largest cultural shows and activities from the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Arab region, and from around the world.

One of the most notable performances as part of this year’s event is the performance by André Rieu, the ‘King of Waltz’, and the Johann Strauss Orchestra – a regional debut for the world-class violinist. His performances have stunned the world over and André’s incredible musical prowess, passion and charisma make for a magical spectacle and bring joy to millions of people around the world!

You’re in store for a mesmerising evening not to be missed. Tickets start from BD20. This event is suitable for those 8 years and older. Doors open at 7pm.

Visit springofculture.org.

47 LAYERS –HALA MOHAMMED AL KHALIFA

HOUSE OF ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

This exhibition by Hala Mohammed Al Khalifa features 47 works which explore layers of the soul, experiences and places that we find ourselves in as we navigate through various paths in search of clarity and comfort. They may be raw, disturbing, unsettling – but amidst the chaos stability and balance can be achieved. Two main elements are explored: a local traditional fishing tool called “Al Salya”, as well as the artwork itself made of locally produced palm tree paper. The exhibition will be open from Saturday to Thursday from 8am to 1pm and from 4pm to 7pm. Visit springofculture.org.

FEBRUARY

ANDRÉ RIEU AL DANA AMPHITHEATRE

Whispers Art Exhibition

The Art Centre of the Bahrain Authority of Culture and Antiquities held a solo exhibition titledWhispers, by artist Mohammed Taqi, in the presence of HE Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, President of BACA.

SPRING OF CULTURE EVENTS

PRESENTING THE ARTISTS

EXPLORING THE SEA

FEBRUARY 7

TO FEBRUARY 28

NABEELA AL KHAYER AL BAREH ART GALLERY

The artist Nabeela Al Khayer translates what her eyes see into distinctive visual works. Through her exhibition you will explore her delicate artistic palette that mixes colours to convey life concepts deep in the depth of the sea. Each of the artist’s works reflects a part of her soul, which was “dipped” in colour and came out in the form of a unique work of art –brimming with spirit.

Entry is free for all. This exhibition is suitable for those 16 years and older. Visit springofculture.org.

THE LANGUAGE OF ART

FEBRUARY 12

TO FEBRUARY 26

BEYOND LANGUAGES II FADWA RAMADAN ART CONCEPT

FEBRUARY 28 TO MARCH 28

APPLICATION 001 AL RIWAQ ART SPACE

Here is a fantastic exhibition for those who have a love for both: language and art. Fadwa Ramadan’s trip to Siwa Oasis, Egypt in 2014, has triggered a newfound interest in the Amazigh language, a group of dialects indigenous to North Africa. She utilised Amazigh letters to create monochrome visual forms, devoid of linguistic meaning. Her work evolved with a focus on Amazigh words and poetry.

The exhibition will be open from Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 2pm and from 3pm to 6pm. Those wishing to visit the exhibition on Saturday may do so from 3pm to 7pm.

Entry is free for all. This exhibition is suitable for those 16 years and older. Visit springofculture.org.

This exhibition showcases the works of the first cohort of the Application 001 residency programme conducted by Al Riwaq. The artists worked within their studios at the Bank House, and completed the space’s three-month Nexus course. During this time, the artists were in constant conversation with the Al Riwaq team to develop their ideas and further their practices.

The exhibition is open from Saturday to Thursday from 10am to 8pm. Entry is free for all. This exhibition is suitable for those 16 years and older. Visit springofculture.org.

A JAPANESE FILM EXTRAVAGANZA

FEBRUARY 15 AND FEBRUARY 17

2023

JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL

BAHRAIN NATIONAL MUSEUM

The 2023 Japanese Film Festival, a part of the Spring of Culture festival, will be a must-attend event for fans of Japanese cinema. The event is being organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities in collaboration with the Japan Foundation and the Japanese Embassy in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Bahrain National Museum will hold two screenings of two films from the Japanese Film Library DESTINY: The Tale of Kamakura on February 15 and ON-GAKU: Our Sound on February 17. Visit springofculture.org.

Under the Patronage of HIS MAJESTY KING HAMAD BIN ISA AL KHALIFA

King of Bahrain

WORLD BAHRAIN - SAKHIR 9th - 12th March 2023

SPRING OF CULTURE EVENTS

DIVE INTO NATURE

UNTIL MARCH 18 THE LIVING SEA EXHIBITION

BAHRAIN NATIONAL MUSEUM

THE GOLDEN RATIO

FEBRUARY 26 TO MARCH 17

THE DIVINE PROPORTION ART CENTRE

Make your way to the Bahrain National Museum for a truly mesmerising look into the world under water.

The Living Sea presents the view of two friends, Prince Hussain Aga Khan, a photographer and author whose work has been exhibited worldwide, and Simone Piccoli, award-winning director of underwater documentaries, on the extraordinary diversity of the underwater worlds of three countries: Tonga, Mexico and Egypt. Through this exhibition you can admire beautiful imagery of whales, sharks, seals, fish, dugongs and more.

This exhibition is a collaboration with Focused on Nature, the Swiss association created by Prince Hussain Aga Khan to promote, through the power of photography, awareness of environmental causes and to finance some of the best wildlife charities in the world for particular species and ecosystems of interest.

This exhibition is suitable for all ages. Museum visitor fees apply. Visit springofculture.org.

Art and mathematics are two worlds that may seem completely separate, one is related to aesthetics, sensory and kinetic expression and emotion, while the other involves logic, accuracy, precision and truth. However, researchers who look deep into stereotypes will be able to find a bridge between beauty and abstraction in the world of numbers. Perceiving the beauty of mathematics requires considering pattern formation and merging mathematical topics with art, as it helps make sense of some math topics. Entry is free for all. The exhibition by Dr. Mayasa Sultan Al Sowaidi will be open daily from 9am to 8pm. Visit springofculture.org.

For more events, visit bahrainthismonth.com

Bahrain Darts Masters Welcome Reception

Bahrain international Circuit (BIC), “The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East”, hosted the official welcome reception and draw for the first-ever Bahrain Darts Masters, supported by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority. The prestigious two-day darts extravaganza was held at BIC in Sakhir, opening the 2023 calendar of the PDC World Series of Darts. The night’s draw was held at The Gulf Hotel and it determined the match-ups for the first round of play, featuring eight of darts’ most iconic international superstars who were set to compete against eight leading players from Bahrain and across Asia.

BD 25++ Selected Beverages

BD 15++ Non alcoholic Beverages

12pm - 4pm Taxes as applicable

Adliya: 1724 67 77

Amwaj: 7777 00 55

Bahrain and Bangladesh

A Long-Lasting Friendship

The Kingdom of Bahrain has a very significant expatriate population; of this demographic, 150,000 residents are Bangladeshi. We sat down with the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, HE Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, to discuss the long-standing relationship between the two nations and potential to boost trade relations.

Your Excellency, could you give our readers an insight into your diplomatic career?

I belong to the 1995 batch of Bangladesh Foreign Service and joined the mission on March 12, 2020 as the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Before this appointment, I was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Bangladesh in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I also served concurrently as Deputy Permanent Representative to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation from 2015 to 2019. In addition, I served as CDA at our Mission in Beirut, Lebanon, at Bangladesh High Commission in Canberra, Bangladesh Embassy in Baghdad and Seoul in different capacities.

Moreover, I had domestic assignments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As for my qualifications, I am a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Water Policy and Governance from the University of New England, Australia, Masters and Honours Degree in Economics from the University of Dhaka.

What are some interesting facts and figures you can share with us about the relationship between Bangladesh and Bahrain? Bangladesh and Bahrain have a long history of maintaining excellent ties, beginning with the establishment of diplomatic relationships in 1974, right after the independence of both nations in 1971. December 16, 1971 is our

Victory Day of Bangladesh and also the National Day of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

A resident diplomatic mission was set up by Bangladesh in Bahrain in 1983 which resulted in the expansion of bilateral ties. In addition, the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh HE Sheikh Hasina visited Bahrain in 1999 to attend the funeral of the late Emir of Bahrain HRH Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

Moreover, we have common values, perceptions, and customs and traditions. There is another common element between both nations; we are peace-loving nations with inclusiveness, diversity, and co-existence of different faiths.

How many Bangladeshis live in Bahrain and what industries do they work in?

About 150,000 Bangladeshis live in Bahrain working across several sectors including healthcare, banking, and construction. Some of them also own small and medium enterprises including small shops. Several Bangladeshi professionals such as doctors, engineers, and university teachers work in Bahrain.

Is there a significant number of blue-collar workers from Bangladesh living in Bahrain? If yes, what provisions are taken to ensure their safety and fair treatment?

Yes, there are a significant number of blue-collar workers from Bangladesh living in Bahrain. Before applying at the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) for worker visas, a sponsor has to get the Pre-Visa Authentication letter approval from the embassy, for which the sponsor must provide the embassy with a few supporting documents.

After their arrival, if the workers face difficulties in receiving their wages, the embassy approaches the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, and Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA). For other safety and security purposes, the embassy keeps contact with the concerned authorities of Bahrain.

We are very pleased with the cooperation from concerned authorities in Bahrain for protecting their welfare and rights. I am happy to acknowledge that the Kingdom of Bahrain is a model in the region for protecting rights and providing proper working conditions for bluecollar workers.

Bahrain has recently stepped up its trade with Bangladesh. What are the current trade figures between the two countries?

Presently, the volume of trade exchange between the two countries is about USD37 million, with Bahrain’s exports reaching USD30 million and Bangladesh’s reaching USD7 million. I am confident that bilateral trade will significantly increase in the coming months.

What are some of the products being imported from Bangladesh and what do you think should be added as part of the investment agreement?

Bangladesh’s main exports to Bahrain are frozen food, agricultural products, chemical products, jute goods, and other products like ceramic, melamine, garments, fabric, etc. Since the Kingdom imports virtually all its needs,

there is considerable potential for Bangladesh to expand its export to the Bahrain market. Bangladesh’s growing IT industry has big potential in Bahrain market. In addition, leather products from Bangladesh may also get its place in Bahrain.

In 2015, both countries signed an Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investment. I think despite having this key instrument for investment promotion, there has not been much investment in either country. I feel that we can form two committees, one between two Finance Ministers to work on potential sectors for economic, trade, and investment cooperation and another between the Chambers of both countries comprising leading businessmen from both nations. These two committees can work on projects for mutual interests and benefits. I can tell you that we had already developed a similar model between Bangladesh and KSA which helps grow investment ties between the two countries.

How do you believe diplomatic relations can be improved between Bangladesh and Bahrain?

An important step that needs to be taken by the Bahraini side to boost diplomatic relations is the opening of their embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Kingdom can appoint an

Honorary Consul General in Bangladesh who can promote the interests of Bahrain there.

When will the next official visit from Bangladesh to Bahrain take place?

The Hon’ble Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, HE Dr. A K Abdul Momen MP, visited Bahrain for the very first time to attend the 18th IISS Manama Dialogue from November 17 to 19, 2022. In addition, the Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) session was held in Manama on November 20, 2022 at the Undersecretary level, where the Bangladesh delegation was led by Secretary [Undersecretary] of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Dhaka, HE Ambassador Mashfee Binte Shams, while Bahrain was led by the Undersecretary of Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, HE Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.

Many visits are in the pipeline and the next FOC will be held in Dhaka later this year. We are also expecting an official visit by Hon’ Foreign Minister of Bahrain, HE Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, this year.

What do you enjoy most about living in Bahrain? Are you currently joined by your family on this mission?

The most attractive features of Bahrain are mutual coexistence, religious harmony, liberal culture and freedom. There are many commonalities between our culture and customs. I am enjoying living here along with my wife and three sons.

What would be your advice for people from Bahrain visiting Bangladesh?

Under the dynamic leadership of our Prime Minister, HE Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh is now among the five fastest growing economies in the world, ranking 35 th in terms of GDP. A report by Boston Consulting Group stated that the current half trillion USD GDP of Bangladesh is projected to be USD1 trillion before 2030. So, I welcome Bahraini people to visit Bangladesh to see the development works, progress and prosperity of Bangladesh.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I would like to convey my deep appreciation to the visionary leadership of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Bangladesh has been a true friend of the Kingdom for over 50 years, and Bangladesh will remain a true friend of the Kingdom for many more years to come. We look forward to deeper economic engagement between our brotherly countries.

THE FUTURE OF FINANCE

Technology is advancing at an exceptional pace in recent years, and has had an undeniable impact on several areas of our lives. Of these technological advancements, FinTech has several applications including but not limited to banking, payments, embedded finance and wealth management. These have had a direct impact on the functioning and progression of

entire societies, playing a significant role in their short-term and long-term objectives.

The Kingdom of Bahrain is no exception to these developments, being at the forefront of digitalisation. Industry leaders, fresh talent, supportive regulations and countless innovations have advanced the Kingdom closer to being a cashless society. This month, we spoke

to leading professionals in the FinTech industry to bring our readers up to speed with the most recent FinTech advancements and introductions in the industry. They shared their thoughts on the progression of FinTech, their applications in society, and the future of finance.

Al Salam Bank App: Delivering Transformative Experiences with a PeopleFirst Mindset

Thefastest growing financial institution in the Kingdom, Al Salam Bank, prides itself on its digitally-native mindset and deep-rooted ethos in humanising the client journey through personalisation, convenience, and transformative experiences. The bank curates seamless financial solutions that nurture its relationship with its clientele by harnessing databacked insights and state-of-the-art technology.

Al Salam Bank’s App comes with an intuitive interface, seamless user experience, advanced cloud-based security, and authentication methodology, enabling users to sign up for an account and get started in a few minutes.

Aside from the core digital onboarding features, the app grants Al Salam Bank’s clients complete control over their accounts with a user-friendly dashboard and personalised banking features. It serves as a central launchpad for releasing the Bank’s latest products and services, with an endless list of features enabling clients to easily view account analytics and financing facilities, transfer funds

between accounts, make internal transfers or deposits, pay off credit cards, update their KYC details, or top-up accounts.

The highly-rated app boasts a number of innovative products and services designed as ‘Digital Experiences’, including the ‘Fils Challenge’, which allows Al Salam Bank’s clients to save a predetermined incremental amount from their main accounts daily for 365 days. The gamification aspect of this feature positions it as a challenge but is flexible, as users can withdraw their savings at any time. Other standout app services range from the Saving Goals feature Al Khardah, recurring payments and target goals, and the Danat Savings Scheme to the Wakala Investment account. Al Salam Bank is dedicated to providing its clients with a complete suite of financial solutions, all easily accessible through the Al Salam Bank App. With its customer-centric approach, Al Salam Bank is truly leading the way in the digital

banking revolution. Whether you are looking to manage your finances on-the-go or access a range of innovative financial products, the Bank has you covered.

Join the revolution of secure and convenient banking with Al Salam Bank’s mobile application! Download now on the Apple Store or Google Play and experience the ease of managing your finances from your fingertips.

REVOLUTIONISING FINTECH IN BAHRAIN

BenefitPay was launched in 2017 with a QR payment function in order to serve untapped merchants. Since then, the application has expanded its range of services significantly to include transfers, remittance, tap-and-go payments, fuel payments and more.

Mr. Al-Mahri, who has 15 years of experience in the financial sector, has led the application’s development over the years. “Our services have expanded to support our strategy and address the cashless goals of the Kingdom. Today, BenefitPay has one million registered users of which an estimated 750,000 are active users,” he states.

Being an infrastructure provider in the country, Benefit has fundamentally contributed to the development of financial services in Bahrain and its movement towards a cashless society. “Benefit helps and assists FinTech companies entering the market in terms of their ease of integration and ease of access to our services in order to support their business cases,” he says.

“We would also like to thank the Central Bank of Bahrain for evolving regulations to support those new ideas and new FinTech in a way that protects the customer and develops the ecosystem in the country,” he adds.

Mr. Al-Mahri strongly believes that the FinTech

sector in Bahrain will continue to adapt and grow with the introduction of new trends. “We, too, stay informed of trends in other markets and adapt them to fit Bahrain’s culture, needs and population,” he states.

The short-term objectives of Benefit involves improving their services based on new ideas that provide users with an insight into their spending behaviour while addressing their needs. “Everything you see within the app is an outcome of our open dialogue with our customers; we hear them, and then we add and implement,” he says. “As for long-term objectives, we have a three-year strategy that continues to evolve which has many services that we address, not only on the app but overall to improve the ecosystem for financial institutions in Bahrain.”

Due to its ease of use, BenefitPay registered 270 million transactions over the course of the last two years – a figure that is expected to grow with the introduction of new services.

“We are now revamping our app with a new look and feel, further amplified by an improved user experience that shall contribute positively towards the adaptation and usage of the app,” he states.

“In addition, for points of sale and venues that are cash-based, we try to find solutions with

our partners and our great minds here at Benefit to address them in a simple yet effective manner,” he adds.

Mr. Al-Mahri believes that the talent employed at Benefit has been a contributing factor to the growth of the company. “Over 95 percent of Benefit’s team is Bahraini and I believe that we are very fortunate in terms of the talent we have. Everything you see here is the outcome of great minds working at Benefit,” he says. “I am positive that there are more individuals in the market waiting to be given a chance to showcase their talents and ideas.”

As for his advice for upcoming talents wishing to enter the FinTech sector, Mr. Al-Mahri says: “Always stay up-to-date, always read, and always keep your mind open. There is nothing that is impossible as it relies on the way you execute it. If you focus on addressing a need, you will achieve your goals - this is the key to success for most people.”

With extensive digitisation worldwide, customer needs in terms of financial services are rapidly changing with quick payments and cashless transactions being at the forefront of demands. The renowned application BenefitPay has played a highly significant role in propelling the Kingdom towards being a cashless society and developing its FinTech sector. Farah Baig speaks to the Head of Business Development and Services at The Benefit Company, Ahmed Al-Mahri, to discuss.

BFC Pay Travel Buddy Launch

BFC Payments, the Fintech arm of BFC Group Holdings, launched an advanced multi-currency Visa card, BFC PAY TRAVEL BUDDY, that offers international travellers the convenience of digital payments. The card features fast top-ups anywhere, instant currency conversion, worldwide shopping and dining in multiple currencies at any of Visa’s 80-plus million merchant partners worldwide, and provides cardholders access to Visa Platinum loyalty programs. With the rise in business and leisure travel, a safe and seamless digital payment instrument becomes crucial for travellers. A significant advantage of the BFC Pay Travel Buddy card is the ability to instantly load BHD and transfer to five different currencies in the wallet at attractive exchange rates. The exchange rate lock feature allows the forex (FX) rate to be secured when converting the currency. The BFC Pay Travel Buddy Card is highly economical for international travel, given the higher forex markups charged by other payment solutions.

THE FUTURE OF FOREX

As one of the leading digital FinTech players in Bahrain, BFC Payment’s primary focus is to ease and enhance their customers’ experience. This month, we spoke to the General Manager of BFC Payments, Davis Parakal. Having been in the FinTech industry for over 10 years, Mr. Parakal has established several digital products for leading banks and FinTech companies in Bahrain, India, UAE, Philippines, Malaysia and more.

BFC Payments, an extension of BFC Group, provides digital payments services for corporates, customers, and SMEs. The Kingdom was recently abuzz with news of BFC Payments’ latest innovation – BFC Pay Travel Buddy VISA Platinum Card.

“BFC has been in the foreign exchange (forex) business for about 100 years now, so we understand this business and customer needs,” says Mr. Parakal.

To keep up with changing times, BFC Payments curated the BFC Pay Travel Buddy Card. Being fully digital users can download and register on the BFC Pay app and apply to get their virtual card instantly. “This multi-currency prepaid card gives international travellers the convenience of digital payments. It is economical, offers our best foreign exchange rates and allows users to conveniently manage it all from the BFC

Pay app,” he explains.

Users can add money to their BHD wallet through payment methods including BenefitPay or debit cards, and transfer to any five currencies. “The customer gets complete control to manage their own money – move money easily or reverse in less than 30 seconds,” he states.

“The card also offers protection from foreign exchange volatility through our Forex lock-in feature, so users are safeguarded against currency fluctuations,” he adds.

Other benefits include access to Visa Platinum offers and loyalty programmes, instant currency conversion, zero loading fees or FX buy charges on the card. “We have many exciting product enhancements lined up, so I urge you all to apply for BFC Pay Travel Buddy and share your feedback!” concludes Mr. Parakal.

COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE

Since its establishment in 1984, Arab Financial Services (AFS) has been a pioneer and leader in the region’s payment sector. We speak to the Chief Executive Officer at AFS, Samer Soliman, who lets us in on the key to the company’s success and its range of services.

AFS has grown to be the region’s leading digital payment solutions provider and fintech enabler, regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain and serving over 60 clients in more than 20 countries across MEA – from their offices in Bahrain, Egypt, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.

“A key to AFS’s growth and continued success is our commitment to digital payments innovation and our ongoing investment in the most up-to-date, cutting-edge technologies,” says Mr. Soliman.

In 2022 alone, AFS delivered a number of significant and positive developments to propel the FinTech sector and payments landscape both in Bahrain and regionally.

“For Bahrain consumers, we launched our proprietary BPay digital wallet and super app offering. Alongside this, we also collaborated with a UAE financial super app JinglePay to further enhance mobile wallet offerings in the market,” he explains.

As for merchants and businesses, AFS rolled out the first premium hospitality payments solution in the market, while developing their digital payments solutions for merchants (including AFS Go! and AFS Pay).

“We also powered the first Discover Global Network transaction in Bahrain, expanding the range of payments acceptance, and undertook a number of informative payments webinars, in collaboration with Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, to support local business communities,” he states.

“Across the banking sector we helped push payments innovation into their corporate

agendas – helping to convert existing traditional banking services into contemporary, digital payments platforms with solutions ranging from Open APIs to Open Banking. Effectively AFS is propelling the digital transformation of the banking sector in Bahrain and beyond,” he adds. It’s an exciting time for the fintech ecosystem, as emerging fintech solutions are changing the way organisations and end users operate. “The range of solutions from Open banking to Robotics, are all topics of interest to me personally and they are all being implemented at AFS both as solutions for our clients and embedded into our internal systems for seamless processes. We have entered three strategic fintech-enabling partnerships over the past few months with JinglePay, BahrainLife and Xpence which will enhance our products and services offering in the market,” he says.

In June 2019, Bahrain began Open Banking services making it the first country in the Middle East to adopt the approach. AFS is invested in playing an important role in this sector to allow banks and end users to benefit equally. “We have also enhanced the introduction of robotics, which we’re proud to say, today, AFS has 25 robots fully integrated into our systems to ensure process automations and timely deliverables,” he states. AFS launched the inaugural ‘AFS iSuites Summer Internship Programme’ in 2022. The

programme focused on giving undergraduate Bahraini students a strong payments technology knowledge-based foundation.

“Over two months, we provided our iSuites interns with hands-on work experience, giving them opportunities to engage and work alongside different AFS teams and departments, that challenged their understanding of payments,” he explains.

“I was delighted to have AFS recognised by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Labour recently, acknowledging our longstanding efforts to attract local talent and help in all aspects of their professional development. AFS iSuites is a good example of how we tap into young talent and nurture it,” he adds.

AFS took home two awards at the MEA Finance Awards 2022: ‘Best Payments Solutions Provider – Bahrain’ and ‘Best Technology Executive of the Year for Financial Services’ which Mr. Soliman was honoured to receive.

“These awards are a testament to the work AFS delivered over the past year, in the form of exceptional digital-led payments services and solutions. The AFS team are inspired, passionate payments experts working collaboratively towards one goal: payments innovation and digital transaction transformation. We have committed to delivering only the best and AFS’s positive results and achievements reflect that,” he concludes.

A CELEBRATION OF LOVE

Love is universal, as is Valentine’s Day! There’s no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than in a beautiful location with your significant other. Create lasting memories over a delectable dinner, divine afternoon tea or a special experience. We explore delectable dining offerings and more from leading properties in the Kingdom.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

This February, Love is in the air at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay. A magnificent al fresco dining experience by the pool, a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner over the skies, a one-ofa-kind Night Spa to spoil the significant other, and much more awaits guests.

Love takes over in February, and Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay becomes the private island of unforgettable Valentine’s Day experiences. A touch of Italian flair at the beach and by the pool, a love-infused à la carte menu at CUT by Wolfgang Puck, an elevated Valentine’s Day dinner at re/Asian over the skies, a special themed brunch at Bahrain Bay Kitchen, and the Night Spa for ultimate romance await those who wish to treat their special one with a Four Seasons memory which is to stay forever.

AMORE by the Pool and Beach

The romantic vibes of the Italian coast take over the white-sand beach and the poolside of Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay. The

Valentine’s Day menu by Executive Chef Leonardo Di Clemente brings a touch of Italian flair to a charming evening outdoors. Di Clemente’s menu starts with Saffron Polenta Espuma with Chioggia Seafood Garden. It continues with Baccala Raviolo with Radicchio Sauce and Polenta Chips, Scallops with Smoked Potato Puree and Lobster Sauce, and Veal Tenderloin with Celeriac, Fermented Black Garlic, and Asparagus. This wonderful al fresco dining experience with the Bahrain Bay view comes with romantic decoration at the table for picturesque moments and the live performance of a violinist and a saxophonist setting the mood on Valentine’s Day. The couples will also enjoy a one-time complimentary access to the beach and spa facilities for two and 20 percent off spa treatments.

Beach tables or cabanas are priced at BD180 per couple excluding beverages or BD220 including beverages. Infinity Pool Deck tables are priced at BD135 excluding beverages and

BD175 including beverages. The Night Spa to Surprise a Loved One

The brand-new experience, Night Spa by Four Seasons, offers an aromatherapy massage at the privatised indoor pool at night, followed by an hour of decadent relaxation at the jacuzzi, including a delicious plate of chocolates, macarons, mixed berries, a bottle of sparkling indulgence, and a bouquet of roses.

The Night Spa is at the top of the Valentine’s Day presents list for those who wish to treat their special one to a one-of-a-kind gift.

The experience is available throughout February from 11pm to 1am, and is priced at BD280 from Sunday to Wednesday and BD290 from Thursday to Saturday.

Call 17 115-000 or visit fourseasons.com/bahrain.

Love

is in the air

On Valentine's Day, celebrate your love with an exclusive al fresco dining experience, including a touch of Italian flair by the pool or at the beach, or make this Valentine's Day a CUT above the rest at Wolfgang Puck restaurants with sublime tastes and dazzling views.

Book a one-of-a-kind indulgence with the new Night Spa to surprise your loved one.

ROMANCE WITH US

(+973) 1711 5000 | fourseasons.com/bahrain

A NEW ERA IN CULINARY ADVENTURES

Tucked away in Zallaq lies a tranquil retreat on the south-west coast of Bahrain. A new property on the luxury hotel scene in Bahrain, Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort and Spa, is the ultimate get away. Farrah Saville speaks to the resort’s Executive Chef, Olivier Catora.

Chef Olivier Catora, is the walking definition of ‘following your passion’. The French native worked in the advertising world for 10 years before finally pursuing his dream of becoming a chef which led him to the Middle East.

Now he is back in the Kingdom, for a second time and loving it! “I love Bahrain because of the people - whether it’s the locals or the expats. There is simplicity in the relationships people foster in Bahrain,” says Chef Olivier.

The new hotel, which recently launched its weekend brunch, offers an exciting offering both: in terms of accommodation and a veritable feast. Chef Olivier says guests visiting the hotel can expect a combination of various elements which caters to two types of customers: those looking for gourmet cuisine, and those looking for new flavours and styles. The resort also caters to those seeking classic food. “Across all our food we have three mandatory specifics: tasty, fresh and nourishing,” he says.

The Bordeaux-born culinary connoisseur explains that the food offered at Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort and Spa will be sophisticated and tasty but not complicated for guests’ palate while remaining visually contemporary. “Menus need to be consistent with the concept of the restaurant and truly authentic. Each cuisine must be attractive, different, unique but also easily understandable,” he says. “Therefore, the experience will be global but the reason to come and search for pleasure

will be specific to each restaurant be it Italian, Oriental, Peruvian or otherwise.”

Aiming to source local would be another defining factor he adds: “For such a small country, Bahrain has a good approach to thinking local, especially with fruits and vegetables.”

Gluten-free, keto, vegan, as the world continues to change and develop so do dietary requirements. Chef Olivier is up for the challenge as he has studied nutrition and naturopathy in the last two years. “Culinary professionals play an essential role in these evolutions and must be ambassadors, in particular for healthy eating. Therefore, it’s necessary to adapt our know-how to these constraints and share our experience with the purpose of individual and collective well-being.”

To be different, Chef Olivier relies on the advertising concept by the renowned global advertising veteran and bestselling author, Jean Marie Dru: Convention - Disruption – Vision With this concept in mind, Chef Olivier will showcase his ingenuity and ability to be different through an oriental Lamb Osso Bucco which will soon be available at the oriental restaurant, among others.

“I analyse the current standards and

applications (Convention), break these conventions by bringing new ideas and specific values (Disruption) and explore how best to incorporate these differences (Vision). For instance, one would wonder how to present an Ouzi experience with an individual approach, which is different from the classic Ouzi that everyone knows and expects? That’s why I came up with the idea of the Lamb Osso Bucco sublimated by traditional and authentic Bahraini flavours,” he explains.

The hotel’s approach to nutrition will be cuisine that is more health oriented, more thoughtful and beneficial for bodily well-being and consequently for its general balance. “This will be a new culinary approach based on the most effective techniques, maximisation of the interdependence of ingredients and inspiration from world cuisine, according to health objectives and respect for our ecosystem. This thinking will become reality in Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort and Spa,” he says.

At 50-years-old, Chef Olivier says his passion for cooking comes from two things: creativity and pleasure. As for the skills required to be a good chef, “Only one: childhood curiosity,” he says. “Imagine a new born baby after three short years knows how to watch, speak, walk and laugh. I believe if you apprehend daily life

like a small child with every day presenting moments to discover new experiences, your margin of progression and learning are unlimited.”

Chef Olivier’s approach to food follows the fundamentals of naturopathy and chronobiology following three rules. “There are no foods provided by nature that are harmful, it is not the food which is harmful but its excess or its insufficiency in the food ration, and we must eat everything, as natural as possible but not at any time of the day,” he explains.

“As for my cooking philosophy, I intend to be creative to propose a new culinary experience. Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort and Spa is the best resort to offer this life experience where the possibilities are unlimited and not only in cuisine,” he smiles.

Scan to watch the interview video:

Skal Christmas

SKAL International Bahrain held a Christmas Dinner at InterContinental Bahrain Hotel.

RCS Donation

The Rotary Club of Salmaniya donated 10 fire alarms designed for the deaf and the hearing impaired to the Bahrain Deaf Society. Each device is designed to emit light and vibrate to alert the deaf person of a possible fire. The device comes with a door bell also designed for the deaf and hearing impaired. In attendance were members of RCS twin club in France RC Blois Sologne.

Italian Christmas Party

The Italian Embassy and Italian Ambassador, HE Paola Amadei, held a Christmas Party at Gulf Hotel Bahrain.

Farmers Market at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain

Breezy, blue skies, farm-fresh produce and the delicious smell of a traditional Bahraini breakfast - the annual Farmers Pop-up Market was held at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, and more exciting than ever! A fun-filled morning for both families and individuals alike supporting Bahraini farmers while enjoying arts and crafts by local artisans, kids’ activities, and much more. Around 300 guests attended to shop, eat and revel in a variety of booths from local suppliers.

Ritz Xmas

A Christmas brunch was held at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, at the grand foyer.

A DIVINE EXPERIENCE AT THAI

With their distinct flavours, fresh herbs and creative use of ingredients, Thai cuisine has grown to be a favourite for gastronomes all around the world. This month, Farah Baig feasted on some of the most exceptional offerings at Thai Lounge located at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain.

Being one of the leading hospitality venues in the Kingdom, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain does nothing by half measures. As part of our gastronomical adventures this month, we had a euphoric dining experience at the scenic Thai Lounge, located by the property’s beach. One can’t help but admire the stunning décor of Thai Lounge with its exquisite dragon counter which stretches from one end to the other, Far East Asian-inspired décor and options for seating. This coupled with the team’s careful attention to being warm and hospitable, and delightful cuisine make any dining experience at Thai memorable. Seated at one of the lounge’s tables, we began our dining experience with three impeccable mocktails: Phra Ya Nang, Twisted Coconut and Rose Petal Lemonade. Each was exceptionally refreshing in its own right.

Next, we were served the Shrimp Lemongrass which consists of deep-fried minced shrimp skewers with stems of lemongrass. It’s no secret that Thai food is known for its extensive use of fresh herbs and it’s clear why – the

flavour is unmistakable. The lemongrass adds a burst of citrusy freshness and is even better when paired with the side salad and sweet Thai chilli sauce. The generously filled Vegetable Spring rolls were also a welcome appetiser – hot and crisp.

Salads are an essential component in Thai cuisine so we looked forward to tucking into the team’s take on Shrimp Salad. An assortment of chopped greens are topped with a generous serving of shrimp and roasted cashews. Finely chopped red chillies, a hint of fresh mint, and a refreshing dressing make it a truly sumptuous salad.

Aside from Thai classics, the lounge offers a range of exceptional sushi made from the very finest of seafood. Every roll is expertly crafted to be a true treat for the eyes and tastebuds. We were presented with the Crispy Hammour –a great option for those who prefer cooked seafood. We enjoyed the mix of textures with the crisp slice of hammour topping the roll and generous drizzle of sauce. You can’t go wrong with the Philadelphia Uramaki which combines

fresh salmon with a delicious burst of caviar –just perfect with a hint of wasabi and soy. The pièce de resistance of our main course was undeniably the Lobster Pad Thai – an essential when dining at Thai Lounge. The plating was stunning with the Pad Thai wrapped in a freshly made omelette and topped with a lobster tail loaded with delicious portions of fried lobster. The flavour of the noodles coupled with the crisp peanuts, a fresh squeeze of lime and luxurious lobster is unmatched. Mango Sticky Rice is a sweet finish to any Thai dining experience and this is one you do not want to miss out on. The warm sticky rice perfectly complements the cool mango, while the rich flavour of the creamy coconut and toasted sesame are highly addictive.

It’s clear that the culinary team expertly weaves flavours with every dish; sweet, salty, spicy, tangy and tart… your tastebuds are ignited. With its opulent interiors, delightful food and upbeat atmosphere, we certainly look forward to our next dining experience at Thai Lounge.

RAISE THE BAR HIGH

Heartfelt moments are created over the clouds. Regarding a romantic occasion, re/Asian by Wolfgang Puck, located at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, is the most desired spot in Bahrain with its dazzling views over Manama skyline, and Executive Chef Brian Becher’s contemporary Asian à la carte menu will be a true culinary feast on this Valentine’s Day.

MAKE THIS VALENTINE’S A CUT

CUT by Wolfgang Puck, located at the picturesque Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, is ready for an evening to remember. The team will make this Valentine’s Day a CUT above the rest with dazzling views, A5 Japanese Beef, Maine Lobster and Ossetra Caviar.

Executive Chef Brian Becher’s à la carte menu, enhanced for February 14, comes with a special dessert for the sweethearts, the Raspberry Heart Dessert, which is appealing for tastebuds and camera lenses. A live performance by their DJ will be available to relish all-time love classics.

The Valentine’s Day dinner will be available on February 14 from 7pm to 11pm. Prior booking is advised.

Call 17 115-044 or visit fourseasons.com/Bahrain.

DINNER UNDER THE STARS

This Valentine’s Day, you can have a very unique, memorable experience with your significant other at Address Beach Resort Bahrain. Step out of your very own chauffeur driven Maserati and into your romantically lit private cabana exclusively set up for you by the beach.

Food is Love!

Offering also world-class beverage-pairing options and live DJ performances, re/Asian is the address to take romance to new heights. The Valentine’s Day dinner will be available on February 14 from 7pm to 11pm. Prior booking is advised. Call 17 115-046 or visit fourseasons.com/Bahrain.

Relive romance and celebrate your love story by the sea and under the stars with this four-course set menu package including selected paired beverages, top class live entertainment, as well as an exclusive Maserati pick up and drop off.

The experience can be booked for February 14 and is priced at BD129 net. Prior booking is advised.

Call 77 998-888.

TO’TEA’LLY IN LOVE

Enjoy a Valentine’s Day Afternoon Tea at Address Beach Resort Bahrain’s Lobby Lounge. Celebrate with your loved one or your friends and treat them to a premium afternoon tea experience, full of love.

Savour an array of sweet and savoury delicacies specially made for the day of romance from 3pm to 6pm on February 14 for an ideal Valentine’s Day indulgence. The afternoon tea experience is priced at BD 14 per person, or BD25 per person with unlimited bubbly. Call 77 998-888.

SAY IT WITH INDIAN FOOD

Embark on a culinary journey to India and share the love this season with a romantic five-course dinner at Nirvana. The spectacular Indian restaurant is known for its decadent flavours, relaxing ambience and warm hospitality. You certainly can’t go wrong with a decadent dining experience at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain. Valentine’s Day dining is available on February 14 from 7pm to 11pm. Dinner is priced at BD60 per couple. Call 17 586-499.

A HEART-Y DINNER

Sweep your partner off their feet with a romantic dining experience and let your love fly high this Valentine’s Day at Plums. Located at The RitzCarlton Bahrain, Plums is known for being a fine dining restaurant featuring premium ingredients. Plum’s Valentine’s Day dinner will take plance on February 14 from 7pm to 11pm. Dinner is priced at BD80 per couple. Call 17 586-499.

ITALIAN FOOD TO LOVE!

An evening of Italian romance, what more could you ask for this Valentine’s? La Pergola, located at Gulf Hotel Bahrain, has a special set menu in store for dinner this Valentine’s Day.

The set menu inclusive of a bottle of house grape is priced at BD52 per couple, or BD 48 per couple for Prestige Club

Prior booking is advised. Call 17 713-000.

FOR THE LOVE OF JAPAN

The land of cherry blossoms and so much more, experience an evening of Japanese romance with Sato. Located at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain, Sato is known for serving some of the Kingdom’s most exceptional Japanese food. It’s the perfect way to the heart for someone who loves their fair share of sushi, teppanyaki and more.

The set menu inclusive of a bottle of house grape is priced at BD52, or per couple BD48 per couple for Prestige Club Members.

Prior booking is advised. Call 17 713-000.

Love is in the air and there’s no better way to celebrate it than with an intimate dinner or fun dining experience. The Kingdom’s hospitality venues have plenty in store for diners this Valentine’s Day and the rest of the month, and we’re here to show you some of the best options.

A MINI DATE

A date that’s not so mini! In partnership with Mini Cooper, Vida Bahrain is offering you the ultimate romantic getaway with the exclusive Mini Date at Vida as an epic Valentine’s Day celebration. Take your better half on a romantic whirlwind and arrive at Vida in style with a chauffeur driven Mini Cooper.

Book the all-in-one gift package for an unforgettable night at The Bistro by Origins featuring a four-course Valentine’s menu curated with love along with selected beverages, live entertainment throughout the night and a beautiful romantic ambience overlooking Marassi shores. And finally, to end your night on an impressive note, your special red Mini will be ready to take you back for a scenic ride home, just the way you envisioned this Valentine’s Day.

The MINI Date is priced at BD69 per couple and can be booked for February 14, and will take place from 8pm onwards. Prior booking is advised as only a few spots are available.

Call 77 488-100.

FOR THE LOVE OF YOUR BESTIES

This month is all about love and we want to keep celebrating at Vida Bahrain with our special someone and besties too! Put on your fanciest fit and take your besties for a delicious treat, free flowing bubbly, and good vibes at Origins Restaurant’s Besties Vida Friday Brunch.

And since the more the merrier, enjoy 20 percent off your total bill when booking for five or more! Dance nonstop from 1pm to 4pm to live music or take walks in the cool air by the beach as you chat and cheers to a beautiful sunset and an unforgettable weekend at Vida Bahrain.

The brunch is priced at BD28 net per person inclusive of soft beverages or BD35 net inclusive of select beverages. Children between six and 12 years old dine for BD 14 net. Prior booking is advised.

Call 77 488-100.

A SLICE OF ROMANCE

Celebrate a romantic evening this Valentine’s Day at Via Brasil at Wyndham Garden Manama nestled in the heart of Juffair. Via Brasil is all about fine food, atmosphere, service, and an exclusive dining experience – what could be more perfect for your Valentine’s Day dinner? Via Brasil is a sure-fire route to an unforgettable Valentine’s Day dinner for you and your special date. Indulge in authentic Churrascaria dinner with an extensive selection of marinated, seasoned and sizzling skewered meats paired with an excellent selection of South American grapes and lovingly shaken and mixed Brazilian cocktails, all rounded off with a gorgeous chocolate-inspired dessert sharing platter. The venue’s saxophonist will set the mood for the evening with a selection of romantic hits.

The Churrascaria Valentine’s Day dinner is priced at BD75 net per couple and will take place on February 14 from 7pm to 11pm. Call 66 390-928.

FOR THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE

This Valentine’s Day, surprise that special someone, and enjoy an incredible evening of fine Indian cuisine with the Valentine’s Day special menu at Jashan, located at Wyndham Garden Manama. Jashan is known for their divine tandoori, freshly made bread, tantalizing curries and delicious sweets. Live entertainment will be available for the evening.

The Valentine’s Day dinner is priced at BD35 per couple, inclusive of a lavish dinner, soft beverages and a glass of bubbly on arrival. The dinner will take place on February 14 from 7pm to 11pm. Call 66 390-928.

SAY ‘HALA’ TO LOVE

Valentine’s Day is a special time of the year to express your love and gratitude for the people who matter the most. Ya Hala Rooftop Lounge, located at Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Amwaj Islands, has a unique evening planned for diners this year. You can celebrate the day with your loved ones and enjoy a Filipino buffet with live entertainment while taking in the beautiful atmosphere of Amwaj.

The dinner is priced at BD36 net per couple and will take place on February 14 from 7.30pm to 11.30pm. An early bird price of BD30, inclusive of soft beverages, is available for those who book before February 10. Group discounts are available for groups of six guests and more, subject to terms and conditions.

Call 66 390-498.

A LEGENDARY CELEBRATION

Make Valentine’s Day the perfect occasion by experiencing the culinary delights at Legendz Steakhouse at Intercontinental Regency Bahrain. Take in its relaxed romantic atmosphere and enjoy their chef’s creation of a four-course dinner which includes delectable lobster and chocolate sauce. Intercontinental’s Director of Food and Beverage, Chef Emmanuel, will be back in his whites alongside Chef Rajesh and Chef Tauseef, and is ready to take you on a voyage of culinary sensation for that one day!

Do not miss the experience of the ‘Love is in the Air’ exclusive menu which is priced at BD31 net inclusive of house beverage pairing. The dinner will take place on February 14 from 7pm to 10.30pm. Prior booking is advised. Call 17 227-777.

A ROMANTIC CABANA DINNER

This Valentine’s Day, reignite your love for your significant other once again under a beautifully lit cabana by the Elements poolside over a personalised amorous atmosphere. Enjoy a bespoke three-course menu and a glass of bubbly under the stars with refined dessert to indulge your senses.

Elements is located at Intercontinental Regency Bahrain. The Valentine’s dinner is priced at BD50 net per couple and is available on February 14 from 7pm to 10.30pm. Prior booking is advised.

Call 17 227-777.

WAVES OF EMOTION

Looking for something romantic and delicious for a cozy dinner with your partner this Valentine’s Day? Look no further than Waves Restaurant at the Crowne Plaza Bahrain. Celebrate with a carefully curated meal for two consisting of their fresh catch of the day paired with select beverages.

The delectable seafood Valentine’s Day dinner is priced at BD48 net and is available on February 14 from 6pm to 11pm. Call 17 531-122.

The Four Seasons

A concert titled The Four Seasons composed between 1718−1720 by Antonio Vivaldi and performed by the Young Italian Soloists, was staged at the Cultural Hall. The performance was co-organised by the Italian Embassy and Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities. The Italian ensemble included solo violin Federico Bresciani, pianist Jacopo Salvatori, first violin Riccardo Caraceni, second violin Filippo Zucchiatti, viola Anselmo Simini, cello Ludovica Rana and theorbo Pedro Alcacer Doria.

17522733 @makirest

www.olivermaki.com

FINE DINING VALENTINE’S

This Valentines, indulge your loved one with some fine-dining. Relish a four-course set menu paired with grape at Silk’s restaurant, Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain. Sway to live entertainment then help yourself to your heart’s desire from their dessert selection.

The Valentine’s experience is priced at BD74 net per couple including grape. Couples wishing to have an experience which also includes a one-hour couple’s massage can do so for BD138 with the massage redeemable from February 14 to February 18.

The Valentine’s Day dinner will take place from 7pm to 11pm. Call 33 640-032.

CARNIVORE’S DELIGHT

Clear your plans; it’s Carnivore Night every Wednesday at La Mosaique Restaurant located at Crowne Plaza Bahrain! Rare, well done, stewed, cured or even chargrilled meat… experience it all! Carnivore Night is priced at BD24 net per person and takes place from 7pm to 11pm. Call 17 531-122.

A NIGHT BRUNCH

For the first time ever in Bahrain we introduce to you a Thursday Night Brunch to add to your go-to list as soon as the sun goes down. Spend your evening with unlimited selected beverages with your friends and family and spoil yourself with one of the most popular brunches in Bahrain at the Gallery lobby lounge and Silks Restaurant at Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain.

Bask in the happy moments of exquisite culinary delights and pleasant atmosphere with live band entertainment from 7pm to 11pm. The brunch is priced at BD28+++ per person including unlimited selected beverages. Children between six and 12 years of age enjoy a 50 percent discount while children younger than six eat for free. Call 33 640-032.

A BRUNCH TO LOVE

The Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay does nothing by half measures, so you’ll be pleased to know that Bahrain Bay Kitchen is soaking up up the spirit of Love in February. The ‘Love is in the Air Brunch’ will melt the hearts with a culinary celebration featuring romantic décor, themed cuisine, and desserts; plus classic love songs performed by a live band. Available on February 10, 17, and 24. Call 17 115 000.

Christmas Party

Spring of Culture 2023 Press Conference

The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, Shaikh Ebrahim bin

Mohammed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture and Research and Al Dana Amphitheatre, in cooperation with Al Riwaq Art Space, Albareh Art Gallery and Art Concept, held a press conference to launch the 17th edition of the Spring of Culture Festival.

Dr Varghese Kurian of Al Namal Group celebrated Christmas with a party at his residence.

NHSC Hospitality Party

An NHSC Hospitality Party was held at The Foundry.

The Bestune B70S Launch

The first in the region B70s launched in bahrain. Al Haddad International Motors the dealer of Bestune in the Kingdom of Bahrain launched the All New B70S, crossover between the B70 Sedan and the T99. The B70s comes with a Dagger-axe type 2.0 split lights, Flying buttress design spoiler. The front of B70S comes with a very aggressive look with a beast claw aerodynamic kit making the car very sleek and futuristic.

A LUXURIOUS DRIVE

BESTUNE is a leading Chinese vehicle brand launched and distributed in Bahrain by Al Haddad International Motors.

Bill Grieve test drove the Bestune B70S and was pleasantly surprised to experience luxury brand standards and sports car performance embodied in a classic shape with incredible service support and performance commitments from the manufacturer.

The words “Made in China” resonate with consumers today, offering quality, luxury, cutting edge technology and real value for money with extended support almost beyond normal market industry competition comprehension.

Zhuó yuè (Excellence)

Engine options:

170 hp 1.5 turbo mated to a 7-speed DCT 224 hp 2.0 turbo mated to a 6-speed automated manual.

The B70S offers control and stability excellence and has a “double E circular body” integrating eight safety systems, 23 active safety technologies and is also equipped with FAW’s latest FEEA2.0 electronic and electrical architecture, greatly enhancing the B70S’s advantages in safety, intelligent connection and overall driving experience.

The interior of the B70S has racing-grade interiors and a high technology cabin area. The electronic seat functionality design of the seats emphasises the racing heavy wrapping feeling, the low profile is full of sport flavour, and it offers an abundant 440L of storage space.

The scepter-like electronic gear lever makes driving easier and mounted on the dashboard is a Dual 12.3-inch large LCD screen and an 8-inch

touchscreen suspended air conditioning panel. The right dashboard uses ambient light LEDs.

The new B70S also features advanced technologies such as Level-2 intelligent driving system functions, intelligent key, electric-powered tailgate, 360-degree panoramic images, and other functions to meet users’ expectations for a luxury and highperformance experience.

The Bahrain This Month test drive was conclusive –this is an amazingly comfortable vehicle that performs well and holds onto the road as if it was mounted on rails - a real object of desire.

To contact the Bestune showroom, call 17 899-899 or visit bestune.bh. Alternatively, you may follow @bestune.bh on Instagram.

Prime Features

Keyless Access System

Panoramic Sunroof

360’ Panoramic Image

Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)

Forward Collision Warning (FCW)

Automatic Emergency Braking

12.3 - Inch Full Colour HD Screen

7 – Inch LCD Instrument Cluster

Adaptive Cruise Control

Four-door Ambient Lighting

Electric Trunk/tailgate function

Keyless Start

Lane Change Decision Aid

Electronic Stability Program

Electrical Park Brake

Emergency Brake Assist

Traction Control System

Driver’s Seat Memory

Front Parking Radar

Rear Parking Radar

Blind Spot Warning

Red Brake Calipers

LED Headlights

LED Daytime Running Lights

LED Tail-Light – Rhythm

Cooling Front Seats

Multi-Function Steering Wheel

A crossover between the B70 Sedan and the T99. The B70s front wheel drive, comes with Dagger-axe type 2.0 split lights and a Flying buttress design spoiler. The front of the B70S offers a very aggressive look with a “beast claw” aerodynamic kit and electrifying rear light animations and complex rear-spoiler unit are standard on all variants of B70S making the car very sleek and futuristic.

Get Ready for the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain GP 2023!

Excitement continues to build for F1’s season-opening round, which is set to take place from March 3 to March 5 at the Bahrain International Circuit - ‘The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’.

Following the record attendance at last year’s F1 spectacle, BIC is looking forward to welcoming the public for what is expected to be an even bigger turnout.

The circuit will be opening its doors from the Thursday of race week on March 2, with threeday ticket-holders able to enjoy a behind the scenes view at the Pit-Lane Walk. The on-track action will begin on Friday, March 3, with the main event, the 57-lap Bahrain Grand Prix, taking place under lights on Sunday, March 5. All throughout the weekend, there will be non-stop racing from morning to night as a packed timetable will see F1 being supported by the FIA Formula 2 Championship, the FIA Formula 3 Championship and the Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East. F2 and F3 will be staging the first rounds of their respective 2023 seasons in Bahrain, while the BIC-based

Porsche Sprint Challenge will be holding the fifth and penultimate meeting of its 2022/2023 campaign.

In addition, the F1 Aramco Pre-Season Testing 2023, will be taking place from February 23 to February 25 at BIC. The pre-season tests will see the F1 teams and drivers out on track together in their new cars for the first and only time ahead of the 2023 season’s start.

Race-goers will also be able to enjoy all kinds of family attractions off the track, including carnival rides, roaming acts, stage shows, kids’ activities and a spectacular live performance by multi-platinum-selling artist DJ Snake who will be taking to the main stage at BIC’s F1 Village on Friday night.

Those looking to experience the pinnacle of motorsport must purchase their tickets as soon as possible to be a part of the region’s biggest racing and entertainment extravaganza. BIC is offering a pair of all-new hospitality packages for this year’s event: The Dome Lounge and The Champions Club.

The Dome Lounge includes three-day access to a dedicated stand next to the BIC dome located along the main straight, opposite the podium; three-day entry to the Dome Lounge, which will include complementary food all day, showcasing a mix of international cuisine; access to an exclusive range of beverages, a full programme of entertainment in the Dome Lounge, including DJs, roaming entertainers, and much more to keep fans entertained between racing sessions; and entry to the exclusive Fashion TV after-party, straight after the race.

The Champions Club offers Beyon Grandstand trackside seating; access to The Champions Club lounge, located just below the seating, offering premium hospitality with gourmet food and an open bar; an appearance by an F1 Media Personality or Driver; F1 Executive Q&A; Guided Paddock Tour; and a Grid Walk and F1 Championship Trophy photo opportunity. For more information, or to purchase your tickets, visit bahraingp.com or call the BIC Hotline on 17 450-000.

LOW-CO2 STEEL AND GREEN ALUMINUM FOR NISSAN

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (Nissan) and Kobe Steel, Ltd. (Kobe Steel) have announced that Nissan plans to use Kobenable Steel for Nissan models from January 2023. Kobe Steel will also supply Nissan with aluminum sheets made from green-aluminum raw materials. This will be the first time Kobenable Steel will be used in mass-produced vehicles.

Kobenable steel significantly reduces CO2 emissions in the blast furnace process. The green aluminum raw materials purchased by Kobe Steel to produce aluminum sheets for Nissan are electrolytically smelted using only electricity generated by solar power, thereby reducing CO2 emissions during aluminum ingot production by approximately 50 percent. Recycled aluminum materials generated at Nissan’s manufacturing sites will also be used to further reduce CO2 emissions during production.

Nissan aims to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the entire product life cycle by 2050. Since approximately 60 percent of a vehicle’s weight is made up of steel parts and around 10 percent of its weight is made up of aluminum parts, the use of green steel and green aluminum is a very effective way to reduce CO2 emissions during parts manufacturing, which is part of the vehicle’s life cycle.

BMW PRESENTS BMW I VISION DEE

The BMW Group shared its vision of the future digital experience at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023 in Las Vegas. BMW i Vision Dee is the futuristic mid-size sedan with a new and pared-down design language. The name ‘Dee’ stands for Digital Emotional Experience. The digital experience begins outside the vehicle, with a personalised welcome scenario that combines graphical elements, light and sound effects. Natural language serves as the simplest, most intuitive form of interaction, enabling perfect understanding between humans and their vehicles. The headlights and the closed

HISTORIC SALES RECORD FOR ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS

Rolls-Royce has achieved its highest-ever annual sales in 2022, delivering a total of 6,021 motor cars, up eight percent on 2021, to clients in around 50 countries worldwide. This is the first time in the company’s 118-year history that its sales have exceeded 6,000 in a single 12-month period. The value of Bespoke commissions also reached record levels, while demand for all Rolls-Royce models remains exceptionally strong, with advance orders secured far into 2023.

In 2022, Rolls-Royce achieved sales growth in almost all regions, with particularly strong year-onyear growth seen in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, the USA and Europe. Aside from volume, the value of clients’ Bespoke commissions was higher than ever before. The Middle East is the marque’s leading region for Bespoke commissions, with many unique creations of particularly extensive and individual personalisation. The almost endless possibilities for Bespoke personalisation resulted in clients being willing to pay an average of around half a million Euros for their unique Rolls-Royce.

In January 2023, the company marks the 20th anniversary of the Home of RollsRoyce at Goodwood. Its transformation – from offering a single model, Phantom, and building just one motor car a day – to today’s record figures is the result of the company’s long-term strategy.

BMW kidney grille also form a common phygital (fusion of physical and digital) icon on a uniform surface, allowing the vehicle to produce different facial expressions. This means BMW i Vision Dee can talk to people and, at the same time, express moods. BMW i Vision Dee can also project an image of the driver’s avatar onto the side window.

Future digital functions will go far beyond the level of voice control and driver assistance systems we are familiar with today. The BMW Head-Up-Display extends across the full width of the windscreen,

providing a glimpse of the next vehicle generation. From 2025 onwards, this innovation will be available in the models of the NEUE KLASSE. The BMW Group has also refined its use of colour-change technology having unveiled the BMW iX Flow Featuring E Ink, with the ability to change from black to white, at the last CES, BMW i Vision Dee can now curate its exterior in up to 32 colours.

The BMW Mixed Reality Slider, in combination with the advanced Head-up Display, is the digital highlight and central operating control of BMW i Vision Dee.

SMS Technical Services Gulf celebrates 10 years of success in Bahrain

A momentous ceremony and dinner reception on the occasion of the 10 years celebration took place in the garden of the German Ambassador’s residence in the presence of Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Development Dr Khaled Fahad Al Alawi, Chief Executive of the Economic Development Board EDB HE Khalid Humaidan, German Ambassador to Bahrain HE Clemens Hach, customers as well as representatives from SMS group Headquarters. Sigi Gruber, Managing Director of SMS Technical Services Gulf, described the journey and achievements of the company, addressing the virtues of SMS’ loyalty and the outstanding technical advantages. He thanked the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, EDB Bahrain and the German Embassy for their continued support. He also showed his gratitude to his team without whom 10 years of successful business in Bahrain would not have been possible. Trophies were handed over to the most prestigious customers as an appreciation for their longstanding partnership as well as successes in the field of green steel and digitalisation. A tree planting ceremony took place to symbolize the encouraging investments in green steel and carbon-neutral technologies. SMS Technical Services Gulf opened its office in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2012. It has transformed from the humble beginnings managing a warehouse for SULB Bahrain to the technical services Headquarters for the Gulf supporting nearly 40 customers in nine countries, including Alba, GARMCO, SULB and BALEXCO.

The Other Side of Returns

According to recent reports, the prevailing crypto “winter” wiped out over 70,000 Bitcoin millionaires during 2022. Pria Masson walks us through the rise and fall of crypto, fad investing and risks.

A basic reading on investments will tell you that, investments, like most aspects of life, are about balance. So, where there are returns, there will be risks. In fact, the definition of returns is “the price provided for the risk borne by investing in a given asset”. However, how many people actually think about this? Well, they do think about it, but usually when the risks seem very high. Ironically, when the returns seem high, the idea that the risk could be just as high, seems to be far from the mind.

This is exactly what we seem to be seeing with one of the most interesting developments in the last decade– cryptocurrencies, NFTs and other similar asset classes.

As per data from CoinGecko 1, in November 2021, the total value of cryptocurrencies surpassed USD3 trillion. Around the same time, one Bitcoin was worth approximately USD68,000 and the Non Fungible Token (NFT) market was worth close to USD25 billion2

What drove this super rise?

A number of complex factors were at play and the need to create new systems was probably the most prominent. The meteoric rise of new

companies, even Crypto banks with double digit interest rates, created an entire ecosystem. The returns from these were so attractive that cryptocurrencies was commonplace dinner discussion and it seemed like the easiest and most interesting way to “get richer quicker”.

What did the sceptics think?

The sceptics, myself included, were very cautious. One reason is the basics of economics and investment – do not invest in that which you do not understand in depth. And depth, in a system which is under a decade old, seemed impossible. These investments seemed to fall into what’s been called by many as “fad investing”.

What is “Fad Investing”?

It is when a few prominent people, identify an investment avenue, the returns are great, and everyone jumps in. What happens next? The interest generates more demand and the size of the pie “appears” to be getting larger and larger. But, sometimes, it could be just a bubble.

Why the fall?

For Cryptocurrencies, the dominoes were lined

up, and one after the other, the pieces started to fall. Stablecoin TerraUSD crashed, NFT crashed, FTX closed, Celsius Bank (a crypto bank) filed for bankruptcy. As of the end of 2022, almost all these avenues had eroded more than 50 percent in value. The total value of the world’s cryptocurrencies tracked by data company CoinMarketCap is now around USD850 billion, down from USD3 trillion a year ago. The average value of cryptocurrency trades per day has fallen from USD131 billion in May to USD57 billion in December — a drop of more than half, according to CoinGecko2.

“Winter shall come” is a truism across all investment avenues. Whether equities, real estate, bonds or any other form of investment, undoubtedly, there will be a phase of decline. However, the propensity of the human mind to act as though the outcomes will be favourable, and to justify logically risky actions – that’s what makes life interesting in so many ways. For now, economies and governments have to deal with the aftermath of the current phase –job losses, income losses and regulatory questions. However, whether this is the winter of this asset class, or the “ice age”, only time will tell. Pria

is the Founder of GMI Advisory WLL– a Management Consultancy that helps companies with their strategy, business plans, presentations and preparing for investors . You can visit her company website http://www.gmiadvisory. com/ to connect with her. You can follow Pria at her Instagram handle @guide_my_idea

Tamkeen Presents 2023 Strategic Plan

The Labour Fund (Tamkeen) held a press conference to showcase the key achievements from the previous year and strategic priorities for 2023.

Chief Growth Officer at Tamkeen, Qusay Alarayedh, highlighted the key achievements from the previous year. “Tamkeen supported 4,000 enterprises of all sizes across various sectors through all the programmes, whereby 57 percent of enterprises supported were new enterprises, 48 percent of enterprises supported were SMEs, and 71 percent of enterprises were supported for training and employment of Bahrainis,” stated Mr. Alarayedh. “We adopted a proactive approach to attract applications from high potential businesses which led to an increase of 21 percent in high value jobs in comparision to the year before. This included supporting over 10,000 job

opportunities and over 8,400 training opportunities for Bahrainis to increase their participation in the labour market, and an increase of 29 percent in professional certification beneficiaries compared to the previous year. The percentage of women who received employment support increased to 56 percent of all those supported,” he added. Commenting on Tamkeen’s performance in 2022, Chief Executive of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), Maha Mofeez, said: “We operate as part of a comprehensive ecosystem that works to achieve national goals in line with the economic recovery priorities as directed by the esteemed government under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.”

“Last year we worked on implementing a comprehensive organisation-wide

transformation plan that included setting key performance indicators and designing new programmes while restructuring the support in each programme. As part of the transformation, we also proactively identified high potential economic opportunities and focused on driving productivity in projects that carried greater economic impact,” she added.

Tamkeen intends to focus on four key priorities in 2023 to develop the labour market in alignment with the government programme and the recommendations of the economic recovery plan. These sectors include facilitating increased economic participation of Bahrainis; providing training that is aligned with the labour market needs of new and emerging skills; supporting enterprise development; and supporting ecosystem development.

BNET Launches ‘Itqan’ Professional Programme

Bahrain Network (BNET) has launched the ‘Itqan’ professional programme that aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of fiber optic network services delivery in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The programme aims to ensure the security of the telecommunications infrastructure and raise the level of readiness by proactively verifying the accuracy and efficiency of records and systems of the fibre network. This is in addition to performing detailed physical verification of the fibre network across Bahrain, which will contribute to reducing the potential delays in services delivery.

Acting Director of Passive Access Network, Dr.

Mohamed Tayeb Mahmood, said: “BNET is eager to provide the telecommunications sector with specialised national expertise through this initiative, with the goal of supporting the initiatives of the economic recovery plan for telecommunications by increasing the percentage of Bahrainisation.”

BNET is keen on training a team of 40 Bahraini engineering graduates through this programme, in order to enrich their knowledge, provide them with practical training, and develop skills that will contribute to the development of the Bahraini youth’s skills so they may be ready to assume leadership positions in the future.

FINTECH ROBOS TO ORGANISE OECD PENSION EVENT IN MENA

Bahrain-based savings and pensions technology provider, Fintech Robos, and the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) are partnering to launch the ‘Pension Outlook 2022’ Report in the MENA region. The experience and learning curve of Western and developed markets with defined contribution (DC) pension systems will be showcased to the Arab world through the webinar.

‘Pensions Outlook’ is one of two flagship

bi-annual international pension reports and indexes produced by the OECD that provide detailed insights and recommendations on the design, implementation and operations of pensions system, by the public and private sectors.

Leading OECD pension experts and authors of the ‘Pension Outlook 2022’, which include Pablo Antolin, Principal Economist at OECD’s Private Pension Unit, and Jessica Mosher and Stephanie

TAMKEEN AND BTECH DISCUSS BAHRAIN’S ICT SECTOR

The Chairman of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), HE Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, recently met with the Chairman of Bahrain Technology Companies society (BTECH), Tariq Qassim Fakhroo, to discuss the society’s plans and initiatives to develop the tech sector in Bahrain to increase the sector’s GDP contribution.

Tamkeen has strived to support the national economy and all its sectors, including key sectors which are aligned with national priorities including the ICT sector as it contributes to driving economic development. Tamkeen’s strategy includes various initiatives and programmes related to supporting the adoption of modern technologies and their application to projects and

businesses. “This will accelerate the growth of Bahraini enterprises and enhance their competitiveness, as well as their ability to create high-quality jobs,” said Chief Executive of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), Maha Mofeez, BTECH Chairman, Tariq Qassim Fakhroo, stated that the board is keen on enhancing the BTECH’s role in assisting Bahraini start-ups and Bahraini tech SMEs.

“BTECH’s vision is to take the ICT sector to new heights and this collaboration with Tamkeen can be seen as an important national partnership that will enhance the Society’s initiatives, increase productivity, and support technological innovation,” concluded Mr. Fakhroo.

Payet, both Policy Analysts at the OECD Private Pension Unit, will be presenting their findings at the Webinar and will have a Q&A session with the audience from the Arab pension industry. The OECD Webinar will be held and livestreamed from Bahrain on Tuesday, February 14 at noon (Bahrain Time GMT +3). Participation is free of charge, and delegates can register for the event at: https://fintechrobos.com/etn/oecdpensions-outlook-report-2022/.

CROWDFUNDING PLATFORM LAUNCHED IN BAHRAIN

Beban, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hope Ventures, has officially launched its crowdfunding platform, Beban Crowdfunding. The crowdfunding mobile application aims to empower investment in promising businesses so entrepreneurs may secure investment and business opportunities while shedding light on scalable businesses. Investors will also benefit from Beban Crowdfunding’s fully digital onboarding services to streamline their access safely and securely through digital ID verifications. Beban will be open for retail and accredited investors and will provide prospective investors with access to unique investment opportunities with stress-free ownership through its postinvestment management services.

Beban Crowdfunding, which comprises a crowdfunding web portal and mobile application, will be available for all GCC residents who are 21 years old and above and qualify to meet Beban’s terms and conditions. Entrepreneurs looking to fundraise will be able to list their businesses to raise and start equity crowdfunding campaigns for a maximum duration of three months.

The platform was launched alongside the airing of its entrepreneurship-themed reality TV show, ‘Beban,’ which allows retail and accredited investors to invest in opportunities pitching on the show.

Freeridge

This comedy series, a spin-off of On My Block, follows the story of Gloria and Ines, as well as their friends Demi and Cameron, who have unleashed a curse that has brought dark ill fortune into their lives.

TV Releases

From romantic comedies to exciting series, there’s plenty to be enjoyed from the comfort of your home this month.

True Spirit

Starring Cliff Curtis, Anna Paquin, Teagan Croft and Josh Lawson, this new biopic movie is based on the incredible true story. When Jessica Watson (Croft) sets out to be the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world, she must overcome her greatest fear as she navigates the world’s most challenging stretches of ocean.

You (Season 4)

The next season of You is being split into two halves, with the first batch of episodes scheduled to hit just in time for Valentine’s. This season, Joe Goldberg has taken up residence in the UK. New faces include Lukas Gage, Charlotte Ritchie, Tilly Keeper, AmyLeigh Hickman and Ed Speleers.

My Dad the Bounty Hunter

Created by Everett Downing Jr and Patrick Harpin, this new animated series aimed at kids is about two children discovering their father is one of the toughest bounty hunters in all the galaxy. It features the vocal talents of Laz Alonso, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jim Rash, Priah Furguson and Devin Bright.

Your Place or Mine

A new romantic comedy starring Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher is just in time for Valentine’s Day. Two long-distance best friends change each other’s lives when she decides to pursue a lifelong dream and he volunteers to keep an eye on her teenage son.

Shotgun Wedding

Darcy (Jennifer Lopez) and Tom (Josh Duhamel) gather their lovable but very opinionated families for the ultimate destination wedding, just as the couple begin to get cold feet. And if that wasn’t enough of a threat to the celebration, suddenly everyone’s lives are in danger when the entire party is taken hostage.

Daisy Jones and the Six

Based on the best-selling novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Daisy Jones and the Six is a limited musical-drama series detailing the rise and precipitous fall of a renowned rock band

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder

This series follows the adventures and misadventures of newly 14-year-old Penny Proud and her family as they navigate modern life with hilarity and heart. The 2020s brings new career highs for mum Trudy, wilder dreams for dad Oscar and new challenges for Penny, including a socially woke neighbour who thinks she has a lot to teach her, bullying social media influencers who want to cancel her and her own teenage hormones.

National Treasure Edge of History

Jess Valenzuela’s life is turned upside down when an enigmatic stranger gives her a clue to a centuries-old treasure that might be connected to her long-dead father. Jess has a knack for solving puzzles, and her skills are put to the test as she and her friends follow a series of clues hidden in American artefacts and landmarks. But can Jess outsmart a blackmarket antiquities dealer in a race to find history’s greatest lost treasure and unbury the truth about her family’s past?

Fleishman Is In Trouble

Fleishman Is In Trouble is the story of recently divorced 41-year-old Toby Fleishman (Jesse Eisenberg), who dives into the brave new world of app-based dating with the kind of success he never had dating in his youth, before he got married at the tail end of medical school.

Iggy Pop Every Loser

Verdict:

Another tireless effort from the timeless punk rocker.

What’s the story?

Every Loser is the 19th studio album by American rock icon Iggy Pop. The record features a core backing band of Duff McKagan (bass), Chad Smith (drums) and Josh Klinghoffer (guitars, keyboards). It also features guest contributions from Jane’s Addiction members Dave Navarro, Eric Avery and Chris Chaney, alongside appearances from Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard and drummers Taylor Hawkins and Travis Barker.

Worth a listen?

Back with a flagrant self-awareness of how absurd and unexpected his career has been, Every Loser contains some of Iggy’s hardest rockers in years, and emphasises all of the things the man does well: blistering rock, po-faced ballads, and a genuine way with words. Iggy’s lyrics have always been deceptively simple, boiling down an idea to its most basic form, making it both funny and inspiring in the process. In another life, he would have made an amazing speechwriter.

Rozi Plain Prize

Prize is an instantly captivating set – 10 resonant but unfussy songs distinguished by a balance of up-close intimacy and understatedly elegant composition. Its mix of folk, leftfield pop and pastoral jazz is calming, with an air of contemplation running through. At surface level these are breezy, easy-going pop songs. Plain’s vocals are understated and the arrangements rarely overpower the direct lyrical pleadings. But there’s a gilt finish to this album, showing a keen curatorial eye and ability to polish without losing the beating heart.

Margo Price Strays

The multi-talented singersongwriter’s latest album is her most adventurous one yet. It emphasises her willingness to try new things and seek new ways of experiencing the world. The songs and instrumentals vary in topics and style; there’s no dominant theme as much as a central intellect and a heart. While her vocals ground her in a country vein, her sonic contexts borrow from and integrate blues-rock, classic-rock and pop sounds. The result is her most freewheeling sequence of songs to date.

MIKE Beware of the Monkey

While this album finds MIKE in a transitional period in his life, he has never sounded so self-assured. He stares at the many different tempos explored in Beware of the Monkey with his signature grin and attacks them with the same level of introspection he has become known for. The way MIKE is able to intertwine multiple concepts within one song deserves a case study on its own and on this latest project, the consistently sharp wit of MIKE feels elevated and rejuvenated.

APPS REVIEW D4D ONLINE

BAHRAIN, HERE’S AN APP THAT CAN HELP YOU SAVE ON YOUR SHOPPING!

Offers

and consequential savings are always welcome when getting our shopping done, whether it’s weekly or otherwise. The D4D Online app is a userfriendly application that can help you find the best deals as it presents you with the latest hypermarket and electronics offers from Lulu Hypermarket, Carrefour, Megamart, Ramez, Nesto Sultan Center, Ansar Gallery among other popular locations!

Other than the ability to save our time when hunting for deals, we enjoyed using the ‘Search’

function which allows you to find and compare prices of all sorts of items from essentials like rice and cooking oil to electronics like iPhones. You can also choose to be notified when new deals are available.

D4D Online also includes other nifty functions such as ‘Shopping List’ which allows you to create a list to be shared, ‘Receipt and Warranty Cards’ to digitally save the same, ‘Loyalty Card’ to save your loyalty cards, and ‘Favourites Product’ to save products you would like to view later. The

‘Remind Me’, ‘Store Location’ and ‘Share’ functions are also handy features.

The app has over 10 million downloads and has a 4.6-star rating as it is widely used in Bahrain and popular across the GCC. So, the next time you’re in need of a great deal, check out D4D Online.

The application is available at the Apple App store and Google Play store.

Gulf Hotel Party

Rotary Club of Salmaniya

The Rotary Club of Salmaniya held a meeting at Golden Tulip Bahrain with the theme of Turkey Bahrain Relations with guest speaker, Turkish Ambassador, HE Esin Cakil.

Gulf Hotel Bahrain held its annual staff party.

Valentine’s Day Chic!

Love is a universal feeling and the celebration of love isn’t a new concept to the vast majority of us. As Valentine’s Day draws closer, we bring you some of our most-loved outfits and accessories. Perhaps you’ll find some inspiration for your celebration of love whether it’s with a significant other, family or friends.

There are plenty of ways to express yourself with your Valentine’s Day outfit this year. What’s the Woman This Month team wearing? We’re going all out. Frills, prints, tailored jackets, metallics and more. There really isn’t any need to shy away from any trend!

One of the first things to catch our attention this Valentine’s Day was the Eveningwear Edit by MATCHES Fashion which featured fantastic occasion-wear. Drawing inspiration from Valentine’s we gravitated towards the Emilia Wickstead dress with its rose prints and the stunning floor length evening gown in a soft pink. Roksanda’s crimson number with statement sleeves would be the perfect fit with some classic black stockings while the pink sequined cocktail dress by Ashish would be fun and flirty. For a classic look, you can’t go wrong with Tom Ford’s burgundy blazer.

Roksanda

Tom Ford

Emilia Wickstead

Ashish

Emilia Wickstead

To accessorise, we love the BY FAR capsule collection for Valentine’s Day which features bags and shoes that are at once electrifying and romantic. The iconic Baby Amber bag, the Glami clutch, the Evelyn mule and the Eliza slingback are all covered in custom Italian flagstone leather in a gentle pale pink shade. If pink’s not your thing, you’ll love the classic red bag from JW Anderson.

For a look that is both cosy and lush, we adore the eyecatching pink velvet suit from ETRO’s FW 22/23 collection. The glowing red layered dress from Cecilie Bahnsen is sure to turn some heads too!

EDITOR’S PICK!

FYNE Jewellery’s Nod to Love

The romantic ideal of fine jewellery is one that’s not lost on us. It might be the sentiment that a diamond is forever, or that true love is rare, or the infinite characteristic of a ring, bracelet or necklace. For Fyne Jewellery, their craft is centered around meaning, sustainability and longevity; all qualities that are also synonymous with the notion of love.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we couldn’t help but take notice of some of their pieces: the Amara Diamond Eternity Ring, Love 'Hob' Ear Stud and Love 'Hob' Bracelet Cuff.

Cecilie Bahnsen

Bahrain’s Ballerina

Marija Rakic invites Bahrain

This Month’s Farrah Saville to her studio to talk ballet, Bahrain and building her dream on the island. She opens up about representing Bahrain in Paris as part of a dance delegation at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

It’s a cold winter’s day in Bahrain - windy and icy. Marija Rakic talks to us from her ballet studio in Seef which overlooks the RitzCarlton, Bahrain. “I started dancing when I was eight years old at the National Ballet School ‘Lujo Davico’ in Serbia. My parents took me there one rainy day and I had an audition in front of a jury of 15 people and luckily, I was accepted, meaning I have been dancing for 24 years!”

“There was the war in Serbia in 1999, so I had to stop dancing for six months as schools were not open. As the war ended, I was pushed by my teacher to start doing ballet classes with a generation two years older than me, so I could progress faster. That is why I graduated high school two years before my own generation,” she explains.

Marija’s dance career includes a history of

dancing at the top ballet schools in the world. At the tender age of 16 Marija was accepted to a ballet academy in Salzburg, Austria. Just a year later she received an official invitation to study at a ballet academy in Madrid, Spain followed by an acceptance to Perm State Ballet School in Russia.

“I graduated as one of the top students and immediately after began receiving offers for job opportunities in Russian theatres. My professional career started at a theatre in Petrozavodsk, Republic of Karelia, Russia. After two and a half years there, I received an offer to work in Moscow and started touring with The Moscow Ballet Company around Europe. We danced in main theaters in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, such as Teatro Real (Madrid), Teatro de Liceu (Barcelona) and Teatro Elfo Puccini (Milan),” she reminisces.

Adding to her illustrious career, she accepted a job offer with ‘Ballet La Classique’ Elik Melikov and performed on stage of RAMT and the historic Bolshoi Theatre just a year later. “By 2014 I was working between two theatres: Teatrul de Sibiu in Romania and The Moscow Ballet Company,” she states.

An injury forced her to stop her professional dancing career in 2016, and so she joined a ballet school in Qatar. After nearly five years in Qatar, she accepted an offer in the Kingdom of Bahrain where she is currently a ballet teacher.

Her experience, passion and talent led her to represent Bahrain in France at the International Dance Council of UNESCO. She laughs: “I received a phone call from an unknown number and did not want to answer, but after a few missed calls, I picked up. It was

a call from France – the International Dance Council of UNESCO.”

“I had been selected to become a member of the council and so the International Dance Council President, Prof. Dr. Alkis Raftis, came to Qatar for a few days to meet me and I have been an active member ever since,” she adds.

In December 2022, the ballerina represented Bahrain’s delegation at the Annual International Dance Congress at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. “More than 40 countries were represented at the congress, and we discussed issues and options for improving the future of dance across the world,” she states.

Working in Bahrain has opened a new world for Marija. “When a three-year-old child tells me that they love dance, I am always interested to know the reason. Some of them just want to wear tutu ballerina dresses, while some of them love it because they feel happy when they dance,” she says.

“Ballet is good for physical health and exercising helps kids develop good habits. In

addition, it makes them mentally stronger and disciplined. Most importantly, it makes the kids happy and provides them with a safe place and additional professional opportunities in the future,” she adds.

Bahrain has several dance schools, and locals and residents alike have been known to be quite talented in art and dance, but Marija believes there is room for improvement.

“Unfortunately, there is no professional dance or ballet school, but with any luck that will change in future. Hopefully, there is the possibility of establishing a national dance school in the future too - that is my dream here. Young Bahraini talents deserve that, and so it is one of my biggest ambitions to establish Bahrain’s National Dance or Ballet Company,” she says.

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), in collaboration with Common Ground International, recently announced that the Imperial Russian Ballet, will be coming to Bahrain in March – an event that Marija believes will have a positive impact on the dance scene in the country.

“I am really excited to have the opportunity to see Imperial Russian Ballet in Bahrain, as it is one of the leading tour ballet companies in Moscow, directed by the previous Bolshoi Ballet Soloist, Gedeminas Taranda. I used to have ballet classes with them in Moscow and have had many of my colleagues who have worked or are working there. It is a wonderful opportunity for my students, and for the whole country to host such a world level ballet performance. Hopefully, it will motivate kids to love ballet even more!” she says with enthusiasm.

As for the future, Marija says: “My hopes are that one day we will have a national professional ballet school in Bahrain aside from a dance or ballet company. I also hope that we will host an International Dance Congress for dance professionals around the world someday. Most of all, my biggest hope is that the artistic and dance scene in Bahrain will flourish further, and I hope to contribute to the growth of this mindset in the country.”

To keep up with Marija, follow @ballerinabahrain on Instagram.

Creating

A MASTERPIECE

Dedication and the abilty to stick to a goal has a way of changing people’s lives. Madhu S., the vibrant personality behind the viral art account Fem Visionary, tells Farah Baig how an act of commitment and passion came together to change her life.

brushstrokes, delicate hues and mesmerising art are just some of the reasons that make Fem Visionary so special. With nearly 225,000 followers, Fem Visionary is not just another account on Instagram but rather an escape for some.

Intricate

Madhu S., the creative force behind the account, started it in 2017 with the intention of committing herself to a goal for at least a year. “I was born in Bahrain, raised in Oman, and returned to the Kingdom nearly five years ago. At the time, I decided to commit myself to my art with intention as opposed to only creating it when I had free time. The reason was, I felt like I was being indecisive having changed careers and jobs too often,” she says. “So much has stemmed from that one decision. Today, I have an actual career in art, have been featured in a lot of places, had collaborations, amassed thousands of followers all around the world and just released my first book,” she adds with a smile. Taking a trip down memory lane, Madhu recalls how she was naturally drawn to art when she was just in kindergarten. “I was definitely one of those kids that wouldn’t pay attention and would be drawing instead,” she says. After grasping several art forms and mediums,

Madhu found her heart in one medium in particular – watercolours. Her delicate floral artwork is almost instantly recognisable, making it her signature style. “There is something so unique about watercolours. You see, with other mediums you can always work around things and fix them but with water colours… you have to make peace with it,” she explains. “You can picture your art being a certain way but there is a lot of letting go as things can change midway. The good thing is no two pieces are ever alike.”

With a love for teaching, Madhu decided to begin teaching online. “My courses are very self-paced as I believe that with certain mediums it helps if you have someone who can teach you. With watercolours you can end up with messes without guidance which can be quite discouraging if you’re unsure what to expect,” she says.

In addition to creating content online and

teaching, Madhu published her first book –Vibrant Watercolour Birds – in December, 2022. The instructional book is available on various platforms including Amazon. “I strongly believe that everyone should have art in their lives. The book is a mix between realistic and more fun and has sections with practice exercises. If someone's not used watercolours before, they can actually take the book and start from scratch. It’s great for beginners and moves through intermediate and advanced since you pick up skills as you go through it,” she explains.

Sharing her advice for budding artists, Madhu says: “Find a style that you genuinely enjoy doing, and create work that is distinctive and distinguishes you as an artist. You can try different techniques but you have to be known for something that is specific to you. People need to know what you stand for; that’s what creates an impact.”

To keep up with Madhu, follow @femvisionary on Instagram.

The Things We Don’t Say

IS A NEW YOU REALLY NECESSARY?

In this month’s column, Farrah Saville looks at New Year’s resolutions and asks if "letting go of the pressures of new” will be better for all of us.

In the wise words of Queen Missy Elliot, one has to ask when it comes to New Year’s resolutions, “Is it worth it?”. There is an intense amount of pressure that comes with the start of the new year: new beginnings, new life, new health goals to reach and new diets, but what if we didn’t endeavor to commit to big changes at the beginning of the new year? Would it mean no progress and no change?

Often, at the start of a new year, we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves and find it difficult to get back up when we don’t reach them. Before you know it, it’s March and you’ve spent copious amounts of money on butter lettuce that goes to the vegetable drawer in the fridge to die and have used your gym membership once. Committing to big changes is difficult; so why do we put all this pressure on ourselves? I blame good marketing and pure

toxic positivity. For some, the idea of a new year is the possibility of being able to change and see the newness of possibilities, for others… it’s not quite as simple.

What if we just accepted ourselves as is and instead of trying to create new goals for a new year accepted that change was not necessary in existential terms but a lot more practical. Wouldn’t it be easier to accept our flaws, continuously improve, and then begin the process of change instead of putting so much pressure on a new year? There is already so much intensity that comes with a new year - change, expectations, hopes, dreams; so why add the stress of big, altering goals like losing 20 kilos or running 5km a day. Maybe the ideal would be to build small habits instead of a resolution. I mean, even the word RES-O-LUTION feels so final, so big; its meaning: “a firm decision to do or

not to do something” – that’s a big commitment.

Is the key not to wait for 365 days to pass to start again, start new but instead treat every day, every moment as a chance to start new, a chance to begin again. Imagine going into 2024 strong, achieving a small win each day: getting up earlier, sleeping eight hours a day and making sure to eat vegetables with each meal? And simply by taking each day as it comes, sleeping a few minutes earlier, adding one piece of butter lettuce to the plate and waking up five minutes earlier day by day.

Would that make a difference? Maybe the idea shouldn’t be new year’s resolutions but new day resolutions and most importantly, that we forgive ourselves each day and start again to achieve the best version of ourselves.

Your Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner; do you plan on spoiling yourself or putting together a Valentine’s Day wishlist? Here are five products that we absolutely love this month!

CREATE SALON-WORTHY STYLES WITH YOUMI BEAUTY

Whether you love glorious waves, luscious curls or silky-smooth hair, you’re going to love this. Youmi Beauty, a renowned Dubai-based cosmetic brand founded by mega beauty influencer and businesswoman, Youmna Khoury, has announced the pre-launch of its new hair tools. The line will feature a hair curler kit, hair dryer kit, hair brush, and hair clips, all of which are expertly engineered for achieving flawless results.

The Curling Wand features an extended barrel, making it perfect for extensions or long hair to achieve an effortless, salon-worthy, blow-dry effect from home. The long barrel is coated in ceramic which helps to seal the hair cuticle, prevent frizz and enhance shine, and has an adjustable temperature of 80-220°C. Paired with the curler is the Mermaid Hair Waver Kit, ideal for creating beach-bound tresses and mermaid waves.

Meanwhile, their innovative, lightweight digital hair dryer features intelligent technology for smooth, shiny and frizz-free results. Youmi Beauty’s hair brush promises to be gentle on strands while leaving hair smooth and silky without any breakage or damage. The Youmi Beauty Hair Clips are a final addition for completing a full, glamorous look. Coming in a pack of nine, the embellished clips can be used for hair styling or accessorising.

Available at Youmibeauty.com

DISCOVER CLASSIC OUD WITH LOOTAH PERFUMES

Immerse yourself in an aromatic experience with Lootah Perfumes’ timeless collection of oud fragrances. Among the many things that the Middle East is famous for, the one that stands out the most is the Oud fragrance, a rare scent steeped in its heritage. Often referred to as black gold, Oud is derived from the rarest and most expensive wood in the world. Silky Oud features notes of Lavender, Ylang Clary Sage, and Dry Wood. With this fragrance you’ll experience the rich aromas of the Emirati culture reeling you back in time. This sweet aroma oud with its woody floral rich honey scent is sure to be the perfect addition to your collection of fragrances. Available at www.lootahperfumes.ae.

VEGAN MAKEUP FROM FLORMAR

The inclusive and affordable makeup brand Flormar has launched their latest ‘Green Up’ range consisting of clean, cruelty-free, and vegan products. The extensive range includes a concealer, foundation, lipstick, eye pencil, mascara, lash serum, nail oil, nail scrub, nail enamel, eye pencil, and mascara. We love the new range of lipsticks introduced by the brand. If you are looking for a herbalbased lipstick that will match all your make-up styles, this lipstick is just the one. Produced from natural ingredients, these lipsticks offer easy application with a creamy texture and sweet aroma. It’s available in four shades: Nude Beauty, Back to Nature, Natural Kiss, Wild Rose. This vegan lipstick adds that instant oomph factor to the lips with just one layer due to its intensely pigmented formula. Available at all Flormar stores and select beauty retailers.

A BIT OF VITAMIN C!

Beauty is quite literally skin-deep, so don’t forget to take care of your skin as part of your daily routine. Olivanna’s new Vitamin C Brightening Serum is a fantastic lightweight moisturiser that you can add to your skincare routine. The serum enriches your skin with Vitamin C at the heart of the dermis for age-defying results.

The vegan formula provides effective antioxidant protection against UV-induced cell damage and includes Cornflower cells which improve cellular activity while boosting collagen and elastin synthesis. What this means is that you’ll end up with skin that appears firmer and more toned with a reduction in wrinkles and fine lines.

The serum is also rich in ceramides, squalene and hyaluronic acid which strengthens the skin’s barrier, gives it a hydration boost and brightens it too.

Available on www.olivanna.com.

GLOW UP WITH CATRICE

Your sophisticated glowy make-up look starts with Catrice this Valentine’s. Prep your face with the Glowifier Illuminating Primer to give your skin that glow from within!

The primer radiates with a soft and subtlegolden shimmer and can be worn on its own, underneath or on top of make-up, or combined with powder. The fact that the product has a versatile formula means that you can also mix it in with your favourite foundation for a look that is long-lasting and has a natural finish! The primer’s watermelon extract helps nourish your skin, but also perfectly preps it for the night. Combined with some bronzer, blush and statement lip, we’re positive this will be the perfect look for your Valentine’s Day Available at beauty stockists across the region.

The Personal Balanced Scorecard

With a new year comes the urge to better ourselves. Renowned Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) and Accredited Chartered Manager (CMI), Eman Deabil, tells us how we can develop our yearly personal plan, evaluate our personal performance and achieve our goals by incorporating a personal Balanced Scorecard.

We’re just getting used to 2023, but as we take it all in, it’s probably worth looking back at our achievements last year so we may reflect on the lessons learnt, and draft some fresh plans for the New Year. There are many techniques that can be adopted to develop our yearly personal plan, evaluate our personal performance, measure where we stand and where we want to go; one of these is the Personal Balanced Scorecard.

It’s worth mentioning that the Corporate Balanced Scorecard is not a new technique; it’s mainly a framework that was invented by two gentlemen, Norton and Kaplan, in the early 1990s which has evolved ever since.

The Balanced Scorecard was created to formulate a strategy and monitor its performance. I have been working on this for a number of organisations and customising it to fit their needs and requirements, and although it’s challenging at times, it is very rewarding when you look at the outcomes at the time of performance evaluation – be it positive or negative. What’s more, a couple of years ago, when I was working with some of my mentees on developing their personal plans and goals for the year, the idea of leveraging the Balanced Scorecard for personal development came to mind and I

started sharing it during my sessions. It’s not an invention, but rather a way to look at life from different perspectives, define personal objectives and set clear initiatives and KPIs to meet those objectives. Let’s explore some brief examples of how to use it or even integrate it with other tools such as the ‘Wheel of Life’ - a concept that was originally created by Paul J. Meyer in the early 1960s.

In a nutshell, the Corporate Balanced Scorecard has four perspectives which can be customised: financial, customers, internal processes, and organisational capacity (or learning and growth according to old literatures). Under each perspective, we have a number of objectives which are connected by cause-and-effect relationships. For each objective, we can have initiatives and/or KPIs associated mainly to fulfill that objective. The ‘Wheel of Life’, on the other hand, consists of a number of elements as seen below:

· Family and friends

· Fun and leisure

· Health

· Personal growth

· Career &

· Finances

Here are some steps to creating your Personal Balanced Scorecard:

1) The first step is to select what we consider highly-important elements and treat them as Balanced Scorecard ‘perspectives’, so we may have a nice integrated tool that can rightly serve our personal development goals. These ‘perspectives’ could be: Family, Financial, Career, Lifestyle, etc.

2) Next is to identify the objectives you need to accomplish under each ‘perspective’. Then, for each objective, list down the initiatives that you need to undertake and/ or the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with corresponding targets that you need to monitor. Initiatives are the projects that have start and end dates (one-time off), and KPIs/targets are continuous. Your initiatives could be things like MBA thesis or start a business while your KPIs could be: the number of kilograms you would like to lose as part of your weightloss (eg. target is 5 kg), number of books read (target is 10 per year). For each initiative, you need to have a specific timeline, and for each KPI, you need to have a unit of measurement (what and when to measure).

3) For better assurance and comfort, discuss what you drafted with a trusted advisor –

could be a friend or a mentor or coach. Let that advisor challenge your plan, assess its feasibility with you or probably add more stretching objectives. That session will help you crystalise your thoughts and modify or enhance your plan.

4) When you finish drafting your objectives, initiatives and KPIs, start tracking and

evaluating your performance. As we all know, things might not go as planned - be it for better or for worse; changes to your plan should be recorded and justifications or reasoning should be documented. This will help you assess your capabilities for next time or improve it – if needed. Remember, we can’t improve or manage

what we don’t measure, so to improve, we need to measure.

Below is just a snapshot of how your plan could look after leveraging the Balanced Scorecard technique. You can easily transform this to the tabular format for easy tracking.

Last but not least, I would like to seize this opportunity to wish you all a pleasant and successful 2023 filled with notable accomplishments.

Christmas at Downtown A Christmas brunch was held at Al Maha Ballroom, Downtown Rotana.

Navigating friendships is not always easy—and it certainly takes work to learn how to be a good friend. As a child grows and develops their social skills, it’s only natural that they will have a hard time sharing or may struggle to get along with another kid at some point or another. In the name of raising happy, kind and empathetic children, there are a few things that you can do to help your child be a good friend. A huge part of learning to be a good friend is learning to compromise and share. Teach your child to be flexible by practicing at home with your family. Point out moments when you are flexible as you are playing with your little one. For example, rather than simply following their lead, you can also make requests. Try saying, “I want to use the purple ball.” At other times you can compromise and say something like: “OK, sure. I can be flexible and use the green ball instead.” Alternatively, ask your child to be flexible by saying: “Could you be flexible and use the green ball this time?” The same goes for sharing- ask your little one

Friendships are some of the most special relationships a person can have, and some of the most essential friendships a person can make are during their childhood. This month, Ouiam El Hassani tells you how to help your child be a good friend through playdates.

to share their toys to instill the quality. Things never go quite as expected when it comes to children, which can make it really hard when your child first starts playing with other kids. They may have big feelings when things don’t go to plan. Children may react to the unexpected by getting upset. Should this happen, remember to validate their feelings first and help them work through those emotions in a productive way. This could be taking a break and a moment away from their friends—and that’s OK, too.

When it comes to playdates, try to:

Plan it for a good time of day- As your little one is beginning to have playdates and learning about being a friend, set them up to have a successful playdate by first choosing a calm time of day. Getting close to naptime is often tricky, and, if possible, try to avoid shifting a nap in favour of a playdate.

Meet at a neutral location- Sometimes it can be hard for your child to host other children

in their space and share their toys. Try to meet at a neutral location.

Discuss how toy sharing works beforehand- If you are hosting the playdate, talk about sharing toys before the other children come over. With your child helping, set aside any special toys that your little one will have a very hard time sharing in a space where the other children can’t access them.

Set up structured activities: Some children really benefit from structure. You can build structure into the playdate by preplanning and setting up structured games and activities. This is a great tool for kids who have a hard time jumping in to play or struggle with self-regulation during playdates. Remember, it will take your child some time to learn about being flexible and sharing when they first begin experiencing playdates. Guide them through it, and most importantly, teach them all you can about friendship.

How would you describe yourself?

Passionate all the way, whether it’s about family, work or friends!

I simply love what I do and deeply care about my relationships. I’m also an extrovert and don’t usually fret the small stuff.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I reckon they are still hidden!!!

What’s the best advice you have ever received? Life goes on. Nothing lasts forever.

Name three things you are currently looking forward to. A great 2023 on every front. Achieving more successes professionally and personally. A vacation with my family!

InHerShoes

This month, the Woman This Month team catches up with the Operations Manager at Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa, Seef – Varsha Bhatia. Let’s take a walk in her shoes!

What’s your favourite movie?

Not really a movie but a Netflix series called Black Mirror; it was very futuristic and relatable. As for Indian movies, I love Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (One Life to Live).

What’s your favourite food?

Italian and Indian it is. Being a vegetarian, I love my pastas, pizzas, risottos, Indian snack food and yummylicious Indian sweets!

What’s your favourite thing about Bahrain?

Bahrain has been my home for decades. The friendliness and the helpfulness of Bahrain’s people never ceases to amaze me! Also, one of the most important features is the safety and security of the citizens. I would rate Bahrain amongst the most top-rated safest countries of the world!

At karaoke, your go-to song is? Karaoke and me? We don’t gel well.

What’s a cause you’re passionate about and why?

Old age homes! I have a soft heart when it comes to elderly. I just simply love the feeling of love and happiness that you see in the eyes of the elderly!

Now you’ve seen your regular issue, which we hope you enjoyed, make sure to check out our websites and social media for daily updates of what’s happening across the Kingdom. You can find us at:

Award Ceremony

The Government of India awarded KG Baburajan with the highest civilian Non-Resident Indians award -The Pravasi Bahratiya Samman - considering his remarkable success in the Engineering sector and his contributions in philanthropic and socio-cultural fields.

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The Ritz Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa