The Economic Development Board (EDB) is set to highlight Bahrain's banking sector at a major international conference to be held in Tokyo later this year.

The EDB has signed an agreement to sponsor the Bahrain Association of Banks' (BAB) reception on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, which will take place in October.

The 'Banks of Bahrain' reception has been an annual feature at the IMF/World Bank meeting since 2003.

It will showcase Bahrain's position as a regional financial centre and a banking hub at the five-day conference, which will be attended by around 400 senior international bankers.

"The IMF/World Bank annual meeting is the year's most important financial gathering. It will attract thousands of leaders in the field from over 130 countries for a wide range of discussions over five full days," said Transportation Minister and EDB acting chief executive Kamal Ahmed.

"The reception is an opportunity where over 400 of the world's leading bankers and financial leaders will interface with Bahrain's top bankers and financial experts," he added.

"We are delighted to have the EDB as an official supporter for our IMF/World Bank reception in October," said BAB chairman and BBK chief executive Abdulkareem Bucheery.

"This is an important time for Bahrain's banking and financial sector to promote itself abroad and this will be an ideal occasion to do so.

"Last year's event was a great success with over 400 guests attending the reception, including finance ministers, central bank governors, chairmen and chief executives of major banking groups, diplomats, businessmen and the media," he added.

The 'Banks in Bahrain' delegation will be led by Finance Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and by Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) Governor Rasheed Al Maraj.

BAB will be represented by Mr Bucheery and by BAB chief executive Robert Ainey.

Banks and institutions supporting the prestigious event include CBB, Ahli United Bank, Arab Banking Corporation, BMI Bank, Gulf International Bank, Investcorp, Ithmaar Bank, National Bank of Bahrain, United Gulf Bank, Al Baraka, Bahrain Islamic Bank, Bahrain Financial Exchange and Tamkeen.