Middle East Archives

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World’s Safest Banks 2016: Safest Islamic Banks

Abu Dhabi’s Al Hilal Bank is the safest Islamic bank in the six GCC states, replacing Al Rajhi Bank of Saudi Arabia, which falls to seventh position following downgrades prompted by the downgrading of the Saudi government. Kuwait Finance House ...

Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

Lebanon’s Central Bank Pledges $600 Million For Start-Ups

Beirut aims to become the number-one hub in the Middle East for young entrepreneurs, sothe Lebanese Central Bank recently added $200 million its 2013 promise to guarantee $400 million in investment in the knowledge economy.

Country Report

Egypt Gets With The Program

<strong>Egypt </strong>| Its IMF loan could ease investor concerns and end its foreign exchange shortage.

Banking

Economic Reforms Sweep Gulf States

These are exciting times for the nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), as the decline in oil revenues is forcing them to finally make dramatic changes to their oil-based economies.

Data

Gulf Nations Must Develop Soft Infrastructure

Sparkling office towers won’t draw business without the right policies.

Data

Gulf Wealth Funds Get More Strategic

Can the Saudis’ $2 trillion Public Investment Fund transition the kingdom to a post-oil economy?

Data

Head Start On Diversification Eases UAE’s Transition

From financial services to healthcare to tourism, the Emirates is exploring and expanding into new non-oil businesses.

Data

Kuwait Takes Action

Striving to shake its oil dependence, Kuwait is opening up to foreign ownership. Will investors bite?

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Q+A: Bassel Gamal; CEO, Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB Group)

QIB controls 43.5% of the Islamic banking market share in Qatar and 11.5% of the overall market and says that the long-term growth prospects remain promising.

Banking

Islamic Finance Is Gaining Ground—And Sophistication

Still finding its way onto the broader global stage, Islamic finance is expanding its reach and rising to new heights in delivering added value to consumer and business markets alike.

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Q+A: Hussain Al Qemzi; CEO, Noor Bank

Noor Bank focuses on select business segments and eyes the digital payment space that will offer some of the best opportunities over the next couple of years.

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Q+A: Majed Al-Saif; General Manager, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs, Samba Financial Group

Retail demand for Islamic finance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the wider region keeps increasing. Growth areas include structured hedging and investment products, project and aviation finance, equity-linked and greenfield project sukuk.