Sixteen graduate through Al Misha'al Programme

Maryam Bahlooq, National Development Manager at NBD, said: "The three-month programme aims at recruiting and training the best and is part of our commitment to the training and development of national labour force."

She said: "Nationalisation exceeded 33 per cent so far in the bank and the number of nationals who work for the bank reached 360 as of end-2003. And we aim at achieving 40 per cent nationalization in 2005."

The Al Mishaal programme is aimed at high school leavers basically nationals aged 18-21.

She said: "We select the best for the programme who go through extensive tests and training on banking, customer service and English language. The British Council supports us and gives us training in the English language. "