Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has issued a decree appointing Khalid Ibrahim Hamidan as the Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain. The appointment, effective from February 1, 2024, follows the tenure of Rasheed Mohamed Al Maraj, who has held this significant position since January 2005.
Khalid Ibrahim Hamidan brings a wealth of expertise to his new role, having served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Bahrain. Since August 2019, he has held the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bahrain Economic Development Board.
With over two decades of experience in capital markets and investment, Hamidan has held various positions at Bank BNP Paribas. He has also been at the helm of Bahrain Bay Fintech since November 2019. Hamidan’s contributions to the financial sector extend further, as he has been a board member of Mumtalakat since 2014.
Hamidan’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in commercial and administrative economics, which he earned from Lehigh University in the United States in 1996.
His predecessor, Rasheed Mohammed Al Maraj, had an illustrious career before his tenure as the Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain. Al Maraj held several leadership positions, including the role of General Manager and Executive Chief Officer of the Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP) from 1999 to 2005. He also chaired the Board of Bahrain Telecommunication Company (BATELCO) in 2004 and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait from 1999 to 2005. Al Maraj’s contributions extended to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) in Bahrain from 2002 to 2003. He has been a member of the Bahrain Economic Development Board since 2000 and has participated actively in various international financial commissions and organizations. Al Maraj holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Houston, USA.
Khalid Ibrahim Hamidan’s appointment as the Governor of Bahrain’s Central Bank signifies a new chapter in the country’s financial leadership. His extensive experience and expertise are expected to contribute significantly to Bahrain’s financial landscape.
