Latest articles from Middle East

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UAE banks feel the benefit of experience

February 1, 2019

From their enviably stable position, the UAE’s banks are in a strong position to face anything 2019 can throw at them, even the market turbulence caused by impending mergers and rising interest rates. James King reports.

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UAE faces headwinds undaunted thanks to reform agenda

February 1, 2019

The UAE’s reform timetable is providing the country with some breathing space in addressing problems with a declining real estate market and stagnant job creation rates. James King reports. 

Why oil crash has upside for Arab banks

October 1, 2018

The oil price crash has sparked consolidation and modernisation among Arab banks, changing the region's financial landscape for the better.

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Palestine presses on with banking sector development

September 3, 2018

Palestine’s banks have to contend with challenges that include political tensions, an underbanked population and no national currency.

Mohammed Y Al-Hashel teaser

Mohammad Y Al-Hashel: Unlocking Islamic finance’s true potential

September 3, 2018

Islamic finance should have a wider global appeal, writes Kuwait's central bank governor.

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Qatar’s central bank governor hails resilient economy

August 1, 2018

Abdulla Bin Saoud Al-Thani, governor of the Qatar Central Bank, talks to Kit Gillet about enduring the economic blockade and the country’s growing Islamic finance industry.

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Emirates NBD’s new digital lead brings a fintech mindset

August 1, 2018

Evans Munyuki, recently appointed as group chief digital officer at Emirates NBD, talks to Joy Macknight about his plans to take the digitally mature bank to the next level of innovation. 

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Will protests derail Jordan's reform agenda?

July 4, 2018

The protests over tax reforms that have hit Jordan in recent months and brought about the resignation of its prime minister set alarm bells ringing in the West as well as the wider Middle East. Adrienne Klasa examines how one of the region's most stable countries can now move forward.

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In splendid isolation: how Qatar's banks are thriving amid a blockade

June 1, 2018

Blockaded by several influential Arab countries since June 2017, Qatari banks have had to cope with ratings downgrades and an outflow of deposits. However, as Kit Gillet reports, they are still posting impressive profits and seem unfazed by such geopolitical unrest.

Qatar teaser

Qatar finds the silver lining to the trade blockade

June 1, 2018

A year since four of its neighbours severed economic ties with Qatar, the country has unexpectedly found that the new economic circumstances have resulted in an accelerated programme of reforms. Kit Gillet reports.