Latest articles from World

To the Balkans and Beyond

May 5, 2009

Over the past decade, Greece's leading banks have expanded into south-east Europe. To remain competitive, however, they will now need to weather the financial storm and continue to focus on increasing their presence in the Balkans and the rest of eastern Europe. Writer Kerin Hope

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Greece gears up for tough times

May 5, 2009

Greece's service-based economy has been less exposed to the global downturn than elsewhere in Europe, but a positive outlook for 2009 will largely depend on how the tourist industry performs and whether lines of credit will remain available to smaller businesses. Writer Kerin Hope

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Outside influence

May 5, 2009

The state-owned Banque et Caisse d'Epargne de l'Etat may be performing well, but Luxembourg operations of Fortis and Dexia have encountered problems as the knock-on effect of the recession in powerful neighbouring economies takes its toll on one of the world's smallest countries. Writer Nick Kochan

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Bright vision in a gloomy climate

May 5, 2009

Abu Dhabi's second Islamic bank was launched almost a year ago, just before the global financial crisis hit the Middle East. Despite this Al Hilal Bank continues to expand. Writer Mike Imeson

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Can Islamic finance plug the funding gap?

May 5, 2009

The global financial crisis has limited the finances available for major projects in the Middle East. But this could be an opportunity for Islamic financiers to come up with sharia-compliant finance to make up for the shortfall of Western funds. Writer James Gavin

Mohammed Al-Hussein

April 7, 2009

Syria's financial services sector reforms of 2004 have had a beneficial effect on the economy, as the country's finance minister explains. Writer Jules Stewart

Off to a flying start

April 7, 2009

The foreign banks that have entered Syria's newly liberalised banking market are enjoying early success. Writer Jules Stewart

Tighter times for Bahrain

April 7, 2009

The global economic downturn is catching up with Bahrain's banks. However, the country still has some cause for optimism, particularly in its Islamic banking sector. Writer Michael Imeson

Can deep pockets protect the UAE?

April 7, 2009

The United Arab Emirates began to feel the chill winds of global recession late last year. However, the Emirates' immense accumulated wealth, especially that of Abu Dhabi, is likely to protect the economy in general, and the financial system in particular, from the worst effects. Writer Michael Imeson

Keeping funds to regions flowing

April 7, 2009

As Russia's less developed regional banks are hit hard by the liquidity crisis, the chairman of Bank Center-Invest outlines his response. Writer Philip Alexander

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