Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economy shrugs off regional tensions

Burgeoning domestic economy set to return country to growth this year as oil revenues lag

Six Chinese state-owned banks’ outlooks downgraded by rating agency

Downgrade indicates state’s reduced ability, not willingness, to provide ‘same level of extraordinary support’

Abu Dhabi and IMF backing gives Egypt a shot at economic turnaround

The country’s backers hope it will let its currency float freely and scale back spending on bloated projects

Sustainable sukuk issuance on the rise

With growth outpacing that of regular sukuk, sustainable issuances may increasingly attract interest from agnostic liquidity pools elsewhere

Overhaul of debt restructure mechanisms can’t come quickly enough for Africa

GDP growth has not kept pace with population increases, warns the World Bank, with economic development squeezed by high debt levels.

China courts Saudi Arabia as part of its de-dollarisation strategy

China’s growing use of currency swap agreements — most recently with Saudi Arabia — are a key part of its strategy to lessen the global influence of the US dollar. 

Ecuador’s banks face double threat of political risk and liquidity challenges

The country is in the centre of a storm of political instability, fiscal and financing risks.

ADIB’s vision of innovation

ADIB’s group CEO Nasser Al-Awadhi talks about the bank’s digital strategy, the increasing appeal of sharia-compliant banking to non-Muslims, and the overlap between Islamic and sustainable finance.

Italy’s parliament set to discuss new rules on bad loans

Analysts warn that the proposal could have a major impact on the country’s NPL market.

Enoch Godongwana: South Africa’s infrastructure imperative

Amid ongoing economic challenges in Africa’s most industrialised nation, infrastructure investment in collaboration with the private sector and international partners is vital for the country’s future, writes South Africa’s minister of finance.

China’s property crisis risks spillover to wider economy

China continues to suffer under the weight of a collapsing real estate market, raising the alarm for a potential domino effect across the wider economy.

India’s banks adjust for growth

India’s banks are enjoying a period of relative calm, and a focus on retail has helped with bringing stability. The Banker reports on how the regulator has also stepped up support. 

China’s banks forced to learn new operational rules

While China’s banks continue on their growth path, they must adapt to new banking rules and a more challenging economy.

China’s economy faces local debt and real estate woes

While headline economic growth figures appear to indicate a country enjoying a return to health, issues beneath the surface are weighing down market sentiment.

Commercial real estate markets deteriorate as interest rates rise

High inflation, rising interest rates and low office space utilisation rates following the Covid-19 pandemic have dented the outlook for the commercial real estate sector.

What UK policy-makers need to learn from Arm’s listing on the US stock exchange

The UK needs to focus on supporting companies in a range of diverse sectors.

Panama still ideal investment destination, bank execs say

Seven years after the Panama Papers, the country is still on Gafilat’s grey list for deficiencies in combatting money laundering.

Bolivia’s economic model called into question

A dollar shortage and falling international reserves are highlighting the limits of a very heterodox economic model. 

Qatar’s banks benefit from abundant liquidity and buoyant domestic economy

Profits have improved across the sector, even as lending eases following last year’s Fifa World Cup.