English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Mobile, AL

Cairo – In response to the evolving technological landscape within the banking sector, Al Baraka Bank Egypt has announced the launch of its new mobile banking application as part of its 2023–2025 strategy, alongside a comprehensive upgrade to its internet banking service, focusing on both the range of services provided and an entirely new user interface. The app aims to boost the bank’s market share by advancing its digital ecosystem and expanding its geographical reach, with a target of achieving 50% digitally active customers, both individuals and businesses, by the end of 2027. Al Baraka Bank is one of the first four banks in Egypt to launch a corporate mobile banking application, reinforcing its leadership in providing innovative banking solutions tailored to commercial needs.

On this occasion, Mr. Hazem Hegazy, CEO & Vice Chairman of Al Baraka Bank Egypt, stated, “The new mobile banking app is a pivotal step in our digital transformation journey. It reflects our commitment to delivering an innovative and user-friendly banking experience for both individual and business customers. The app simplifies banking operations and adheres to the highest international and local security standards, as endorsed by the Central Bank of Egypt, ensuring a secure and advanced banking experience. We expect over 10,000 downloads in the post-launch phase.”

Mr. Abdel Aziz Samir, DCEO for Consumer Banking, commented: “The launch of the mobile banking app is part of Al Baraka Bank Egypt’s support for the fintech industry, aimed at accelerating digital transformation and leveraging available digital opportunities for economic growth. At Al Baraka Bank Egypt, we aim to reach diverse customer segments, and we have an ambitious digital expansion plan that includes opening two digital branches soon, increasing the number of ATMs with contactless transaction features, and enhancing ATM network security with the latest global standards. Additionally, we are preparing to launch Chatbot services and WhatsApp for Business soon.”

Engineer Redallah Ahmed, Chief Digital Officer at Al Baraka Bank Egypt, added: “The mobile banking app for Al Baraka Bank Egypt offers a variety of features, including self-registration for individual clients via account number, ensuring a quick and easy start. Moreover, the app supports biometric verification (facial recognition or fingerprint) for advanced security and convenience. It also provides comprehensive services such as opening accounts, ordering checkbooks, issuing debit cards, purchasing certificates, linking deposits, converting foreign currency to Egyptian pounds, and instant transfers to Al Baraka accounts, as well as local transfers. These capabilities allow customers to manage their banking needs without visiting branches.”

He continued, “For corporate clients, the app offers an easy platform for financial management, with features granting users full control over their banking transactions. Coupled with a user-friendly ‘three-tap’ interface, this makes the app an all-encompassing solution, positioning Al Baraka Bank Egypt at the forefront of digital banking solutions in the industry.”

About Al Baraka Bank Egypt:

Al Baraka Bank is a subsidiary of Al Baraka Group, a leading Bahrain-based Islamic banking conglomerate. With a robust global presence spanning 14 countries across 3 continents, the group offers comprehensive financial services through its network of over 600 branches.

Al Baraka Bank has been operating in Egypt for over 40 years, establishing a strong position with 36 branches strategically located in Cairo, Alexandria, the Delta region, and Upper Egypt. The bank is committed to expanding its reach, aiming to increase its branch network to cover most Egyptian governorates by the end of 2025.

Al Baraka Bank adheres to Sharia principles in delivering a wide range of banking products and services tailored to individuals, businesses, treasury, and investment needs. All bank operations and transactions are meticulously reviewed by an independent Sharia Supervisory Board.

The bank provides direct financing solutions to creditworthy individuals, corporations, and institutions, while also actively participating in syndicated financing for large-scale projects with significant economic viability and employment creation potential.

Al Baraka bank has won several international awards, including “Best Local Currency Finance” and “Best Restructuring in Africa award” from EMEA Finance Magazine. Moreover, the bank has won “The Fastest Growing Digital Transformation Bank in Egypt” and “The Fastest Growing Bank” awards from International Finance awards in 2024. In addition to many other international awards won through the years 2022 and 2023. As well as being listed in Forbes’ list of Egypt’s top companies in 2022, 2023 & 2024 consecutively.

If you’re thinking about visiting the Mobile International Festival, Ester de Aguiar offers “the same advice I would give any traveler: Wear comfortable shoes, grab your passport, just be ready for fun. Bring a great appetite, to be able to sample all the different food.”

“Our whole idea is to allow our guests to travel the world in one day,” said de Aguiar, director of the fest.

For many, the festival needs little introduction: Now in its 41st year, it has long been a popular field-trip attraction for schoolchildren in the region – so, in many cases, its youngest visitors are the offspring of parents who attended it themselves, back in the day. But you don’t have to arrive in a yellow bus: Every year, the festival follows its student days with a concluding family day that’s open to the public.

It’s a popular event, and not just because admission is free for children. Overall, the event draws tens of thousands of patrons, thanks to its mix of attractions. These start with booths representing the cultures of participating groups, an international food court, and a full slate of entertainment.

While many of the entertainment acts hail from outside Mobile, de Aguiar said it’s important for people to understand that this is not a touring event. The member organizations that staff the booths and the food court represent the cultural groups living in the Mobile area. They have roots in more than two dozen countries.

“It is a homegrown event, and it is a reflection to me of the diversity of the city,” she said.

While the event is familiar to many, there’s always a twist or two. This year’s theme is “Hidden Treasures.” “We’re trying to showcase beautiful things about the various countries that people would normally not know,” said de Aguiar.

Another is that the festival’s Parade of Flags will have a different group leading it this year: Mobile’s own Excelsior Band, which in 2022 was honored with a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.

“They’re amazing. They are legendary,” said de Aguiar. “They are one of our hidden secrets here.”

Family day is coming up. Here’s what you need to know:

Where, when, how much?

The 2024 Mobile International Festival will be open to the public on Saturday, Nov. 23. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Hocklander Hall and the Grand Ballroom at The Grounds, 1035 Cody Road N. in West Mobile. Tickets can be ordered in advance through mobileinternationalfestival.org. Children 12 and under are admitted free; prices are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students older than 12. Parking is free. For updates, visit the Facebook page.

What’s the lineup?

Mobile International Festival is known for a continuous schedule of entertainment featuring music, dancing, and other performances on two stages. The Excelsior Band will lead a Parade of Flags at 11 a.m. Acts scheduled to appear before the parade include Africatown drummers, Red McWilliams (Celtic), Manuela Talavares (Peru); Peruvian dancers; Capoeira (Brazil), Las Ninas Bonitas (Mexico), Irish dancers and Nalina Chitrakar (Nepal).

Acts scheduled to appear after the parade include belly dancers (Egypt), Leron Harrison (Japan), Las Ninas Bonitas (Mexico), Capoeira (Brazil), Shaolin Institute (China), Garam Masala (India), Africatown drummers, Peruvian dancers, Red McWilliams (Celtic), Manuela Talavares (Peru), Nalina Chitrakar (Nepal), hula dancers, Ukrainian choir.

What’s on the menu?

When it comes to dining at the Mobile International Festival, the word “smorgasbord” springs to mind. Food is both a big part of many cultures and a universal medium of cultural exchange. This year’s event features 22 food booths, in a familiar format that encourages browsing and sampling: portions are small but prices are low, so a hungry patron can piece together a meal from whatever catches his or her eye. De Aguiar estimated that the average person can eat their fill for $10-$15.

What’s this about a passport?

You don’t have to bring a real passport. But you (or a younger member of your family) can pick up a festival passport on the way in, and get it stamped at the booths you visit. It’s the must-have festival souvenir.

Speaking of souvenirs, de Aquiar has another word of advice: “Just bring a tote bag because a lot of our members, they have souvenirs. It’s a great place to do your Christmas shopping because you have unique gifts, very inexpensive.”

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