Oxford Business Group (OBG), the highly acclaimed global publishing, research and consultancy firm has appointed Amyn Ait Benhassi as its Editorial Manager in Bahrain.

He will be responsible for supervising the research carried out by a team of OBG analysts in producing the company's upcoming The Report: Bahrain 2009, part of the annual series of business guides rated as the premier source of information for foreign direct investment into the country's vibrant economy.

He said, "This is such an exciting time in the history of Bahrain to be working here, and developing an appraisal of the country as its moves through the dramatic changes which are taking place."

He added, "The success of Bahrain, based on its wide-ranging programme of diversification, is a tribute to the success of the wise management and policies which are an acknowledged feature of the pragmatic government here."

"This diversification away from hydrocarbons has seen a major growth in banking and financial services, which now make a considerable contribution to GDP, and it is a path which other Gulf countries are seeking to emulate," he said.

Amyn Ait Benhassi has been with OBG since 2005, during which time he worked for two years in Morocco and then in Jordan.

Fluent in English, French and Arabic, he graduated from the University of Montreal and the business school HEC. His fields of expertise cover economics, commerce and business administration, and his previous career includes working as a journalist for an international newspaper.

Elizabeth Boissevain, Director of Field Operations of OBG, said: "Amyn, with his background in Morocco and Jordan, is perfectly placed to take on his new role in Bahrain. He has developed an in depth understanding of the Middle East, which will be invaluable to him as he guides the research of our Bahrain team."

The Report: Bahrain 2009 will be an invaluable guide to the many facets of Bahrain, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, political landscape, banking and sectoral developments, and presents a remarkably in depth profile of the country.

It will feature a series of exclusive interviews with leading political and economic figures conducted by the team of OBG analysts based in Bahrain for six months is to be published in partnership with primary partner, the Bahrain Economic Development Board, with Securities and Investment Company (SICO) as capital markets partner, Ernst & Young as accountancy partner, and Qays H. Zu'bi as legal affairs partner.

Available in print form and online, it will be part of the range of OBG's publications, which are renowned as leading sources of information on developing and emerging economies around the world.

CNN International announced that its coverage of the 2008 World Economic Forum in Davos is being exclusively sponsored by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (BEDB) for the second year running.

The advertising campaign spans the event, offering the BEDB exposure to CNN audiences - both on air and online - in over 200 million households worldwide.

In addition to spots around CNN's daily television coverage from Davos, the BEDB are sponsoring a series of vignettes entitled 'The Agenda' and 'Davos Debrief' airing throughout CNN's coverage to offer viewers an insight into the agenda and quick turnaround reactions to meetings. These complement a series of 'Forward Looking' vignettes featuring extracts from key figures attending the Forum, and outlining the main issues to be discussed. On CNN.com, the World Economic Forum microsite - www.cnn.com/davos - will also feature exclusive BEDB branding, in addition to continued run-of-site banner advertising.

Announcing the sponsorship, the Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, Shaikh Mohammed Bin Essa Al-Khalifa commented, 'We are proud to be sponsors of CNN's coverage of the 2008 World Economic Forum. Davos always offers the chance to assess the economic trends that lie ahead for the global economy. Once again BEDB's sponsorship of this global event emphasises Bahrain's reputation as an established location for international business and finance in the Middle East.'

Rani R. Raad, Senior Vice President, CNN International Ad Sales, added: 'We're delighted that the BEDB has renewed its sponsorship of the event this year. Bahrain is one of the fastest growing economies in the Middle East and World Economic Forum is a natural fit for the BEDB to reach our audience of global opinion formers and influencers.'

CNN is live throughout the forum with anchors Hala Gorani, Becky Anderson, Richard Quest and Charles Hodson leading the network's unrivalled coverage. In addition to regular updates and interviews with the world's top business and political leaders, CNN will introduce two new initiatives - an on-air blogging segment and a joint CNN / World Economic Forum debate, 'Dateline Davos'. 'A Day In The Life Of A Blogger' will feature the unique, firsthand insights of French blogger, Loïc Le Meur, while 'Dateline Davos' will end CNN's week of programming with a panel of political and business figures such as Tony Blair and James Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Co. discussing world issues like the rising price of oil and impending US elections.