Middle East

The ranks of the wealthy continue to grow in the GCC, and with their wealth growing in complexity, too, they are demanding ever more from their wealth managers.

In the aftermath of the pandemic and plummeting oil prices, GCC banks are looking to scale abroad, acquire new customers and grow globally.

Global Finance: How have the pandemic and the recent drop in energy prices impacted your bank’s performance? Adel El-Labban: Our bank’s performance during fiscal year 2020 was impacted primarily by the incremental precautionary provisions taken on our performing portfolio in ...

GCC countries are selling prime assets to fund economic transition.

Sunil Kaushal, Standard Chartered’s regional CEO for Africa and the Middle East, talks about upcoming changes for the bank and how it is faring coming out of the pandemic.

Abu Dhabi's IPO market is heating up.

Aiding clients in weathering the pandemic involves more than deploying a few service tweaks.

Gypto Pharma City will start by producing Covid-19-related medication and treatments for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

The kingdom is betting on foreign investment and clean energy to restart its economy.

Sheikh Waleed K. Al Hashar, CEO of Bank Muscat, discusses the challenges of operating during the pandemic and how Omani banks will meet customer needs going forward.

Jean-Christophe Durand, CEO of the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), discusses the impact of Covid-19, fintech and the prospects for further banking consolidation.

Even as the pandemic fades, the GCC states will be challenged to revive their economies and again pursue regional integration.  

Already pressed fiscally, Oman’s new leader will need to walk a fine line to restore growth and avoid domestic unrest. 

Gulf states have managed the Covid health crisis well, by and large. Now, can they pivot back to long-awaited fiscal and economic reforms?

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.