National Bonds sponsors Skiboard World Cup 2008

As part of the activities lined up for its month-long campaign, National Bonds will support various sports and leisure events involving youngsters.

This also includes the upcoming Skiboard World Cup 2008 Championship, which begins on May 22, 2008.

According to Mohammad Qasim Al Ali, CEO of National Bonds Corporation, this campaign stems from the growing economic significance of the UAE's under-25s.

"Youth now account for 58% of the Emarati population and are fast-emerging as a new class of decision makers. About 27% of our bond holders are within the age bracket of 16-25 years, " he said.

Al Ali added, "We felt the need to educate young people on how to become financially independent. Our aim is also to help them become intelligent and informed participants in the UAE economy. In the long term, by teaching them how to save and invest with a simple and safe savings option such as National Bonds, we hope to help the younger generation achieve their goals and dreams."

As part of the activities lined up for the Ski Board World Cup 2008 Championship, National Bonds will set up a special kiosk at Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates. The tournament will showcase 16 international teams, including the UAE expats team, competing for top honours in a race down the world's longest indoor ski slope.

National Bonds also recently sponsored another world-class event, the 24th Asian Snooker Championship.

"We are increasingly supporting these international events, which allow us to show how sports and financial services can combine to build the character of our upcoming generation," Al Ali said. "Sports help to instill key values such as strength, independence, passion and responsibility. As everyone's favourite place to save, National Bonds will definitely appeal to the UAE youth as they can now associate it with the exciting world of sports."

With no income or job requirement, young people in the UAE can purchase bonds on the National Bonds website or at 300 outlets nationwide, comprising exchange houses and banks.

These include Emirates Islamic Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, Sharjah Islamic Bank and exchange houses Al Ansari, Al Fardan, Al Ghurair, Redha Al Ansari, Al Rostamani International, UAE Exchange, Wall Street and Lari Exchange.

With over 420,000 bondholders with youth comprising 27%, National Bonds wants not only to be seen but experienced as everyone's favourite place to save.