MANAMA, 9 July 2007 — Bahrain Development Bank and Gulf Air have sealed an agreement opening up a new era for trainee Bahraini pilots under the project to be financed by the bank estimated at 1.2 million Bahraini dinars in first phase. In addition, the program aims at training 200 engineers and pilots within next five years with a total budget of $ 20 million.
The agreement was signed by the chairman of Gulf Air Mahmood Al-Kooheiji and BDB Chairman Ibrahim Khalifa Al-Khalifa at the airline’s headquarters in Muharraq yesterday. Present were GF President and Chief Executive Andre Dose and BDB Chief Executive Officer Nedhal Saleh Al-Awjan.
“This collaborative financial program between BDB and Gulf Air represents an important step forward in building the future of the country,” said Al-Khalifa in his speech highlighted the importance of training opportunities for young Bahrainis and said that it would open a new era for young educated Bahrainis.
“BDB has proactively provided economic support enabling, protecting and developing Bahraini youth, additionally building up the institutional driving power of the establishments that work together in order to serve the Bahraini resident in all aspects,” he said. The chairman said that the international airlines need 1,700 new pilots per a year.