Middle East

Digital banking, cryptocurrencies, ecommerce and fintech start-ups—2017 was a record year for digital investments in the MENA region. But there’s wide variation between countries.  

The war in neighboring Syria has taken its toll on Lebanon’s economy, which is demonstrating lackluster growth and high levels of public debt. Could the upcoming May parliamentary elections restore growth and investor confidence? 

Sunil Kaushal, Standard Chartered Bank’s regional chief executive of Africa and the Middle East, speaks with Global Finance about where he sees potential for growth in the high-risk region.

Bank Muscat CEO Abdul Razak Ali Issa discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of banking in Oman, and how his institution serves clients throughout the region.

Following a period of relatively subdued infrastructure and real estate activity, 2017 was a better year in the Middle East; and 2018 should record more improvement. Transport-related projects remain essential to the region’s growth, but the most crucial area remains ...

Egypt is leading the region’s economic rebound, with special attention paid to nurturing the strong growth potential of smaller businesses.

Egypt’s entrepreneurs need innovative financial services delivered via mobile phone to become successful contributors to the economy, says CIB’s chairman and managing director, Hisham Ezz Al-Arab.

Arab Bank CEO Nemeh Sabbagh talks about growing with the region and reaching for opportunities throughout the world.

UAE and Jordan lead the Middle East's drive for post-hydrocarbon, environmentally sound projects.

Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait’s CEO, Michel Accad, opens up about his country’s economic role in the Arab world and why the Gulf nation might never achieve all its lofty aspirations.

As the Mediterranean island nation's economy has stabilized, so too have its banks.

FTSE announced Kuwait’s forthcoming addition to the Secondary Emerging Markets list last September. What’s happened since?

Salah Al-Fulaij, CEO of NBK-Kuwait, shares thoughts with Global Finance about competition, Kuwait’s growth prospects and the pressures of global regulation.

The Saudi kingdom seems to be on a path of radical change, broadening options for women and opening to new sectors, but a ruling-family schism could derail the effort.

Last year was a record year for Middle East and North African (MENA) start-ups, with 260 deals attracting $410 million in investment, according to a report by Magnitt, a regional network for entrepreneurs and investors. The United Arab Emirates attracted ...

The situation came to a head late last year when the Iran government proposed an austere budget for 2018. Subsidies on basic goods and services for the poor were subject to proposed cuts, as fuel prices were set to rise by as much as 50%.

The consortium, called ALGO, will enable Islamic member banks to create fintech solutions in a cost-effective and fast manner.

As Saudi Arabia seeks to create a modern economy, entertainment is one of the industries being promoted as a replacement for oil. 

Saod Obaidalla, executive vice president and head of Private Banking at Emirates NBD, speaks with Global Finance about the evolution of the regional economy and the bank’s plans to compete with global rivals.

Qatar’s reserves nearly doubled to $39 billion due to the  change giving it more foreign-currency liquidity.