Middle East

Bahrain aims to make itself both a fintech incubator and a destination for providers based elsewhere to develop and launch their solutions.

Bassel Gamal, Group CEO of Qatar Islamic Bank, talks to Global Finance about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on banking and the future of the World Cup.

Middle Eastern states hit the international debt markets with gusto in 2020, setting a record. Issuance is expected to be even higher this year. 

The Arab world’s first spacecraft underscores the UAE’s drive to give a new direction to its youthful population.

While most countries are stuck with lock-downs to smother the pandemic, the UAE chose to remain open. Will the gamble pay off economically? 

Qatari banking and other sectors stand to gain from the restoration of business. The emirate’s efforts to raise self-sufficiency will also help.  

The region saw record new investment last year as social distancing drove more of the population to adopt digital solutions. Now, global investors are getting interested. 

The Trump administration worked to persuade the kingdom to end the standoff, leading to an agreement mediated by Kuwait. 

Sheikh Meshaal Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah, director general of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority, speaks with Global Finance about the emirate’s post-pandemic development plans.

A robust financial sector is helping Kuwait weather the Covid storm. But the emirate’s economic future will depend on some difficult reforms.

Sulaiman Al-Marzouq, deputy CEO for Kuwait at National Bank of Kuwait, speaks with Global Finance about the pandemic’s impact and how the bank plans to navigate the recovery.

Abdulwahab Al-Roshood, acting group CEO of Kuwait Finance House, speaks to Global Finance about Covid-19 and the importance of SMEs.

The normalization of relations between the UAE and Israel paved the way for billions of dollars of bilateral business opportunities.

The country joins a growing list of Arab states that recognize the Jewish state.

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.