News & Press Releases
BDB Joins Conserving Bounties and Gulf Hotels Group to Reduce Food Waste
Supporting UN SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain – 6 October 2026: Bahrain Development Bank (BDB), the leading bank supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in the Kingdom of Bahrain, recently collaborated with Conserving Bounties Society and Gulf Hotels Group (GHG) on a volunteer activity aimed at reducing food waste and encouraging responsible consumption practices. The collaboration reflects the organisations’ shared commitment to social responsibility, sustainability, and programmes that yield tangible community impact.
Held on 3rd October 2026 at the Gulf Hotel’s Al Waha Restaurant, the activity brought together 15 BDB employees and their families to gather and package safe-to-consume surplus food from the restaurant’s buffet. 154 meals were prepared and distributed to 25 beneficiary families, averaging approximately six meals per household.
The participation of BDB staff and their families also reflects the Bank’s efforts to foster an engaged workplace which creates opportunities for colleagues to contribute beyond their day-to-day roles. By involving children, the activity extended this experience across generations, offering a practical and inclusive way to engage with issues surrounding sustainable food consumption and community service.
The volunteering activity follows an awareness session Conserving Bounties Society organised for BDB employees in August 2025 to highlight the importance of reducing avoidable food waste and introduce responsible approaches to managing edible surplus.
Hosting the initiative at the Gulf Hotel, one of Gulf Hotels Group’s properties in Bahrain, also highlights the strategic partnership established between GHG and Conserving Bounties Society in July 2026. Under this agreement, GHG became the first hospitality provider in Bahrain to adopt the Society’s sustainable food management model, which facilitates the efficient collection, packaging, transportation, and distribution to beneficiary families.
Commenting on the occasion, Ms. Dalal Al Qais, Group Chief Executive Officer of BDB, said, “We thank all our volunteers and their families, as well as Conserving Bounties Society and Gulf Hotels Group for making this collaboration possible. Our ESG commitments are most meaningful when they translate into actions that create a positive impact within the communities we serve. This activity contributes to the UN SDG 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production, while giving our people the opportunity to play an active role in advancing more sustainable practices. We look forward to building on these efforts and encouraging wider participation in programmes that conserve resources and benefit society at large.”
Mr. Ahmed Janahi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Hotels Group, added, “Hosting this activity at Gulf Hotel builds on our strategic collaboration with Conserving Bounties Society and demonstrates our focus on embedding more sustainable approaches to surplus food management across our operations. We are pleased to see this model create further avenues for participation through BDB and its employees. Bringing businesses and civil society organisations together around practical solutions is an important way to move corporate responsibility from commitment to implementation and generate tangible social and environmental value.”
Meanwhile, Mrs. Thawra Ebrahim Al Dhaen, Chief Executive Officer of Conserving Bounties Society, welcomed the collaboration with BDB and commended the engagement shown by its employees and their families. She highlighted the value of direct community involvement in strengthening awareness around food waste and encouraging more considered management of surplus quantities. She emphasised that bringing together organisations, employees and families helps reinforce a culture of responsible consumption and greater appreciation for the resources available across the Kingdom. Mrs. Thawra also appreciated Gulf Hotel’s Group continued support for the Society, both through its contribution to the operational requirements of the programme and the regular provision of suitable surplus food.
Conserving Bounties Society is a non-profit organisation dedicated to curbing food waste and managing edible surplus in accordance with appropriate health and safety standards. Working with food donors, logistics providers and community service organisations, the Society facilitates the safe collection and redistribution of excess food to beneficiary families while promoting greater awareness of responsible consumption and sustainable practices. Through these partnerships, it seeks to help maximise the use of available resources and create lasting social and environmental impact across the Kingdom.
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About Gulf Hotels Group
Gulf Hotels Group BSC is a public limited liability company quoted on the Bahrain Stock Exchange incorporated in 1967, under the name of Bahrain Hotels Company. The Group is chaired by Mr. Fawzi Kanoo and is led by a Board of distinguished, well-established, and influential businessmen. The vision of the Bahrain Hotels Company was to provide a standard of hospitality unrivalled on the Island, which was duly delivered with the opening of Bahrain’s first 5-star property, the Gulf Hotel. 59 years later, this philosophy remains the same although the Group has continually expanded and upgraded its services to meet the modern-day demands. For more information, please visit www.gulfhotelsgroup.com.
About Bahrain Development Bank (BDB)
Established in 1992, Bahrain Development Bank (BDB) is a pioneering financial institution dedicated to empowering the Kingdom’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and growth-focused businesses. Driven by a core mandate to advance national economic development, BDB provides various financing solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
As a leading MSME-focused bank, BDB plays a vital role in enabling access to capital, driving financial inclusion, and supporting job creation through its suite of development finance programmes and strategic public-private partnerships. Its award-winning digital banking platform tijara delivers a seamless business banking experience, while the acclaimed Riyadat Women Business Finance Scheme supports inclusive economic participation by female entrepreneurs. Guided by Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, BDB remains a trusted national partner in strengthening the SME sector to catalyse sustainable growth, and meaningful social impact.