Middle East

Despite a year of increasing pressure and concerns, the Saudi financial sector remains resilient.

Islamic finance took a hit in 2020 but is preparing for the next surge of growth through innovation, standardization, and M&A activity.

With Moscow playing an increasingly important role in Middle Eastern affairs, the Russian state-owned bank hopes to boost business and trade relations. 

Qatar is facing strong headwinds, but the tiny emirate can rely on gas reserves to cushion the shock.

Abdulla bin Saoud Al-Thani, governor of Qatar Central Bank, looks back at the past year—and ahead to the next—with Global Finance.

The fourth installment of a Global Finance FAQ web series on Islamic finance.

Arabtec may struggle to meet the end of November deadline set by shareholders to formally submit liquidation plans to a court. 

The third installment of a Global Finance FAQ web series on Islamic finance.

The second installment of a Global Finance FAQ web series on Islamic finance.

While the global economy slows, Egyptian banks aim to expand their foothold in Africa and boost intraregional trade.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has postponed a spate of deals, regional institutions want a piece of the Egyptian banking sector.

It has been Global Finance’s practice to conduct a Best Bank award ceremony during the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings. As this year’s Meetings have gone virtual, so will Global Finance’s awards ceremony. Below are a selection of winners ...

The governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait speaks to Global Finance. 

The governor of the Central Bank of Jordan talks with Global Finance.

Imran Khan, head of Global Digital Experience at TD and president and CEO of UGO Mobile Solutions, reveals how to make life easier for consumers.

Khaled Abbas, wholesale banking head at Gulf International Bank (GIB), shares his thoughts on how the pandemic is pushing banks to find agile methods to meet corporate needs.

Emerging and developing economies will likely be hardest hit by Covid-19. Rebuilding will require addressing preexisting conditions as well as the new ones.

Israel’s Economy Ministry calculates that the normalization of ties could increase exports to the UAE to US$300 million to $500 million annually while according to Moody’s Investors Services, UAE investments in Israel could reach US$350 million a year.

Browse a full set of economic indicators, selected by Global Finance editors, including real GDP growth rate, with latest forecasts and historical data, GDP per capita, GDP composition by sector, inflation and unemployment rates, public debt statistics and more. Financial and trade information, plus best banks and safest banks rankings are also included.

Facing the combined effects of Covid-19 and an oil crisis, GCC governments and banks are looking to accelerate economic diversification and transition to sustainable finance.