Middle East

Abdulaziz B. Al Loughani is co-founder and managing partner of Faith Capital, a Kuwait-based regional VC fund; and CEO of Floward, an online flower and gift retailer. He was previously vice chairman of Kuwait’s National Fund for SME Development and a co-founder of Talabat, the Middle East’s largest online food-ordering platform. He talks about opportunities and the growth of entrepreneurship in the region.

Kuwait’s startup scene has largely developed under the world’s radar, yet the tiny ecosystem has produced some of the Middle East’s biggest exits to date.

Kuwait is keen to diversify its energy-centered economy. Foreign investment and market liberalization are definitely part of the formula.

Aramco's long-anticipated IPO succeeds at last.

With oil prices low and stress on liquidity, banks in the GCC are increasingly looking to consolidate in order to remain strong. 

Levantine banks operate in fragile economies in a region facing severe upheaval. Some are finding a way through the chaos better than others.

Egypt and Lebanon may have very different economies but they have one thing in common: the importance of their central banks.

Kuwait's stock exchange is going public.

Saudi Arabia's new energy minister faces his first crisis.

Aramco's IPO is central to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 reform plan.

The tiny emirate can rely on natural gas, infrastructure projects, foreign investment—and the World Cup—to weather a blockade by its neighbors.

Digital banks continue to evolve and grow.

Tech companies compete with banks.

As the region’s digital startups and fintechs grow and prosper, they must learn to scale, despite a highly fragmented economy.

The Gulf’s giant family-owned companies will soon see a massive generational shift. Can they adapt their business culture?

Robust demand for housing opens new opportunities for foreign developers to contribute—and profit.

Adnan Ahmed Yousif, president and CEO of Al Baraka Banking Group, talks with Global Finance about fintech, the changing regulatory environment and hurdles to overcome.

Dubai is remaking itself as an infotech hub. But strong ties to the regional oil sector are keeping the economy on a roller coaster.

Mohammad Al Duaij studied finance in the UK and worked in several Kuwaiti financial institutions before taking the helm of Alea Global Group, a real estate and private-equity investment conglomerate founded by his parents.

Recent signs of outreach suggest an easing of the Saudi-Qatari quarrel. But don’t expect a united front against Iran.