Latest articles from World

Broader horizons

August 1, 2005

A wind of change is quietly blowing through key sectors of the Kuwaiti economy which is slowly opening up to foreign businesses, writes Jon Marks, with Kevin Godier and James Gavin.

Projects flow

August 1, 2005

Bahrain’s economy has benefited from diversification, and Manama’s status as the Gulf’s premier financial hub is not under imminent threat, write James Gavin and Kevin Godier.
Bahrain’s relative lack of hydrocarbon resources has helped it to become one of the region’s most diversified economies, stimulating a steady flow of project finance and other corporate activities in a range of sectors.

The voice of NBK

August 1, 2005

Ibrahim Dabdoub, chief executive of National Bank of Kuwait discusses the biggest challenges ahead for the gulf banking sector:
Globalisation, liberalisation and technology pose the biggest challenges for Gulf banks, which will have to compete with large, financially strong, global banks with a broad product offering, high-quality personnel and a greater capacity to absorb risk. International players are also technologically sophisticated and enjoy efficiencies of scale.

Major progress

August 1, 2005

The Gulf Cooperation Council states and their banks may be small but they are enjoying huge growth with great prospects. Stephen Timewell reports.

Building blocks for leadership

August 1, 2005

Vneshtorgbank is using its acquisition of Guta Bank to build up its retail services, planning more branches and aiming for a leading role in the mortgage market. By Brian Caplen.
Russian state-owned Vneshtorgbank is pushing ahead on the retail front, aiming to claim an 8%-10% share of the market by 2010. During that period, total assets are expected to rise from $15bn to $35bn, including a forecast rise in mortgages from $150m to $2bn and in consumer lending from $300m to $3bn.

Banks upbeat on Iran’s surprise election result

August 1, 2005

Initial reticence about the election of Iran’s new hard-line president, Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad, has turned to optimism in the financial sector. Gareth Smyth and Najmeh Bozorgmehr report from Tehran.

Homemade help is Africa’s best hope

August 1, 2005

While some believe the G8 summit in Scotland was a missed opportunity,James Eedes reports that solutions originating in Africa promise to have themost lasting and meaningful impact.

Brazil leads the LatAm pack

August 1, 2005

Brazilian banks continue to dominate the region, but Mexico is putting up a fight for places in the top 10.

Brazil’s capital markets prepare for take-off

August 1, 2005

At long last, Brazil is enjoying macroeconomic stability, which is driving the development of its capital markets. Jonathan Wheatley reports.

Vietnam readies itself for foreign arrivals

August 1, 2005

Nick Freeman reports from Hanoi on Vietnam’s burgeoning banking sector and local strategies for survival as foreign enthusiasm grows.

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