GFH Acquires British International School in Tunisia

GFH Financial Group Logo
GFH Financial Group Logo
TT

GFH Acquires British International School in Tunisia

GFH Financial Group Logo
GFH Financial Group Logo

Britus Education, the wholly-owned education investment platform of GFH Financial Group, has acquired The British International School of Tunis (BIST) to expand the company's presence in Tunisia.

Headquartered in Bahrain, the group said the transaction will grant Britus Education a 70% stake in the school and support plans for the establishment of another branch of BIST in Tunis Bay.

Established in September 2012, BIST lies at the heart of Tunisia’s British community and is the first British-based learning institution in the country offering kindergarten-primary and high school education. It delivers education for students aged three to 18.

The school is inspected by the British Government and is certified by the British Schools Overseas (BSO), a government office in charge of school supervision in the United Kingdom and UK schools based overseas, the Council of British International Schools (COBIS) and Cambridge Assessment International Education, which places BIST among the top rated British schools overseas.

“We’re delighted to announce the further expansion of the Group’s presence in Tunisia with the strategic acquisition of a leading international K-12 school in the MENA region," Fatema Kamal, Acting CEO of Britus Education, said.

"This investment comes in line with GFH’s already strong commitment to the Tunisian market and will support the aim of offering world-class amenities including top ranking international schools at Tunis Bay.”



Saudi-Azerbaijan Strategic Partnership to Boost Economy, Renewable Energy

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi-Azerbaijan Strategic Partnership to Boost Economy, Renewable Energy

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Azerbaijan stressed the importance of strengthening its strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, especially in trade, economy, and renewable energy, to boost regional and international cooperation.

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev said both countries are exploring new opportunities for cooperation, particularly in renewable energy and climate.

Rafiyev highlighted the annual consultations between Riyadh and Baku as an important way to strengthen bilateral ties.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the COP 16 climate conference in Riyadh, Rafiyev said he discussed joint projects with Saudi officials.

Rafiyev also pointed to the success of renewable energy cooperation, with Saudi firm ACWA Power leading a 240-megawatt offshore wind farm project in Azerbaijan.

At the conference, ACWA Power signed an agreement with UAE’s Masdar and Azerbaijan’s SOCAR Green to develop 3.5 gigawatts of offshore wind in the Caspian Sea, the first such project in Azerbaijan.

He added that Azerbaijan is becoming a key regional hub, linking the Gulf to Central Asia, and plays an active role in international climate finance, having led the Non-Aligned Movement for over four years.

Azerbaijan is working to expand its partnerships with Saudi Arabia, capitalizing on its strategic location and growing role in the global economy, said Rafiyev.

At the COP 16 climate conference in Riyadh, Rafiyev highlighted the importance of the recent COP29 conference in Baku, which helped strengthen ties between the two countries.

“The conference succeeded with Saudi support, leading to a new vision for cooperation that is currently being explored,” he said.

Rafiyev emphasized Azerbaijan’s role as a gateway for Gulf countries to Central Asia, playing a key part in linking these regions.

He also pointed to Azerbaijan’s contribution to international climate negotiations, securing a $300 billion financial target from developed nations to support developing countries.

Reflecting on Azerbaijan’s global influence, Rafiyev noted the country’s leadership of the Non-Aligned Movement for over four years.

“During our leadership, we showed our ability to play a significant global role,” he said.

He also spoke about Azerbaijan’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, where the country helped unite developed and developing nations.

“We turned pandemic challenges into opportunities for cooperation, gaining unanimous support for a resolution at the UN,” Rafiyev added.