Kuwait " 22 March, 2011: Gulf Bank recently hailed the success of its sponsorship of the "Proud to be Kuwaiti" (P2BK) Forum, which was held at the Mishref International Exhibition Fairgrounds.  The opening ceremony was held on the 15th March 2011, under the Patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait, and the closing ceremony on the 20th March was under the auspices of H.E. Sheikh Ahmed Fahad Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah.

A competition was held during the P2BK forum to recognise the "Best Business Concept", "Best Marketing Plan" and the "Best Booth", with the judging panel of Hadeel Al-Fadhli, Manager-Marketing Department, Gulf Bank, Haya Al-Mane"a from Zain Telecommunications and Ahmad Al-Abdulmohsin from Kuwait Energy Company announcing the results during the closing ceremony.

H.E. Sheikh Ahmed Fahad Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Economic Affairs, Minister of State for Housing Affairs and Minister of State for Administrative Development, and Dhari Al-Wazzan, Founder of P2BK honoured all sponsors by handing them mementos as a token of appreciation.

Commenting on Gulf Bank's sponsorship of the Forum, Fawzy Al - Thunayan, General Manager " Board Affairs of Gulf Bank, stated: "Gulf Bank is honored to sponsor the "Proud to be Kuwaiti" Forum, for the fourth time.  This is one of the most prominent events that encourage giving, self-achievement, and translation of ambitions into reality.

As a Kuwaiti bank, we are proud of our youth and their small projects, which we aspire, will develop into great companies and businesses in the future.  We diligently endeavor to continue to encourage the change in culture of the Kuwaiti youth from consumption into production, deriving this tendency from the Kuwaiti business heritage, which was propelled by the spirit of initiatives and private projects." Mr. Al -Thunayan elaborated.

In closing he said: "We believe that eventually this will lead to a prosperous future for the Kuwaiti economy, and to a developed intellectual community that is capable of realizing the hopes and dreams of the future generations; a society that always seeks to upgrade living styles in all aspects.

Today, we can witness a strong economic leap towards a promising future for our young generations.  This can only be achieved with the support by all the institutions and individuals of our society.  Let us join hands to activate the development, towards a more developed, more prosperous Kuwait."

P2BK provided the perfect opportunity to recognise and support young business talent in Kuwait. A key highlight was to introduce a dynamic group of budding young Kuwaiti entrepreneurs, the business leaders of tomorrow to seasoned business experts, such as those from the Gulf Bank team, in order to encourage and assist the growth of their businesses.

(right to left) Fawzy Al-Thunayan, General Manager, Board Affairs-

Gulf Bank, H.H. Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al Ahmad Al Sabah,

Prime Minister of Kuwait,  Hadeel Al-Fadhli, Manager, Marketing-

Gulf Bank,  and Mohammad Al-Otaibi, Assistant Manager, Marketing

-Gulf Bank