Manama, Bahrain: Batelco, Bahrain's leading integrated communications provider and BBK, Bahrain's pioneer in retail and commercial banking, have taken the first step forward in a strategic partnership that is aimed at creating a first class differentiated service to the market. Batelco Chief Executive Bahrain Rashid Abdulla and BBK Chief Executive Abdulkarim Bucheery signed an agreement to mark the strategic initiative during a ceremony held at BBK Riffa Financial Mall on October 17th.

As a first step in the partnership, Batelco will provide full retail services at five of BBK's Financial Malls (FM); Riffa Financial Mall, Muharraq Financial Mall, Exhibition Road Financial Mall, Adliya Financial Mall and Budaiya Financial Mall, to provide the Bank's customers with a full range of Batelco's telecommunication services. This endeavour aims at enabling individuals and Small and Medium Enterprises to receive their banking and telecom services all under one roof. Moreover, mutual customers of Batelco and BBK will be able to receive regular promotions, targeted campaigns and special rewards by both partners.

Batelco Chief Executive Bahrain Rashid Abdulla said that this partnership will be the beginning of many future joint campaigns that aims at providing added value to the market.

"The new Batelco shops at BBK's Financial Malls are the future model for delivering first class services and creating a unique experience for customers. The FM model enables both partners to immediately observe and respond to the target customers, thus enabling both partners to deliver more targeted campaigns to customers," Mr. Abdulla explained.

"The partnership between the two giant entities in the banking and telecom sector will connect both organisations and strengthen the brand equity of both partners as it will provide a new way of doing business with customers that is based on creating added value and a unique experience for customers," he added.

On the other hand, Abdulkarim Bucheery, BBK's Chief Executive said that the Bank is absolutely delighted to be embarking on a new partnership with Batelco.

"We welcome Batelco to BBK's Financial Malls and we are very excited to cater to our valued customers by providing a comprehensive range of financial and non-financial services all under-one-roof, which is the main purpose behind BBK's Financial Malls."

"BBK has been a trusted brand for over 40 years and has always been at the cutting edge of banking and financial services' innovation. With this alliance of two strong brands, we ensure added value for our customers and that is our goal," Mr. Bucheery added.

The aim of the agreement is to extend and improve the existing relationship between the two organizations, while facilitating the best possible commercial terms, knowledge transfer, and marketing processes.

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