The Gulf’s sovereign wealth funds have grown in size and influence, adapting to market forces and taking advantage of the global financial crisis. But just how are they generating returns in the current economic climate?
Middle East
Latest articles from United Arab Emirates
Top 100 Arab banks ranking, 2013: Clean bill of health
October 1, 2013The Arab world has captured the wrong kind of attention in recent years as the Arab Spring uprisings and their aftermath have dominated global headlines. However, The Banker's Top 100 Arab Banks rankings show a banking industry that is well capitalised and well run.
UAE CBG looks to utilise macroprudential toolkit
October 1, 2013The central bank governor of the United Arab Emirates says the country is looking to the tools in its macroprudential toolkit to increase the economy’s resilience to any future shocks.
Dubai climbs GTS ladder
September 2, 2013As Dubai has grown, so has its role in the global transaction services industry, with the emirate now serving as the nerve centre of all trade taking place across the Middle East and north Africa. And as Dubai sets out its stall to become the next renminbi hub, this role only looks set to grow.
A stronger UAE seeks to learn from past lessons
September 2, 2013Investor confidence in the United Arab Emirates has returned to a position of strength, posting impressive profits on the back of GDP growth. However, the country's central bank is pushing through legislation to prevent a repeat of the mistakes that led to its economic collapse in 2009.
Piece of the pie: Sibos 2013 Dubai preview
August 12, 2013The Banker's Middle East editor, Melissa Hancock, reflects on how Dubai, the host of Sibos 2013, has emerged to become the Middle East and north African hub for transaction banking.
Middle East banks continue to take small steps forward
July 1, 2013Slow but steady growth seems to be the order of the day for banks in the Middle East, with most countries in the region having something to cheer.
Islamic finance in 2013: beyond the growth
March 1, 2013Year upon year, the Islamic finance industry posts stellar growth figures. However, as large Western lenders withdraw from the sector, is Islamic finance in as healthy a shape as the figures suggest? The Banker asks a number of experts in the field what the future holds for sharia-compliant banking.
Noor Islamic Bank pushes Islamic finance towards maturity
November 7, 2012Islamic finance is increasingly being viewed as a credible alternative to conventional finance, but Hussain Al-Qemzi, group chief executive of Dubai-based Noor Investment Group and chief executive of Noor Islamic Bank, recognises that Islamic institutions must work together if they are to compete with conventional banks.
Islamic finance looks to pastures new
November 7, 2012To maintain its phenomenal growth rates, Islamic finance is increasingly looking beyond sukuk and property investment to growth areas such as renewable energy and healthcare.