The collapse of its government earlier this year and subsequent political wrangling, together with less than optimistic trading figures, has left many fearing for the economic future of Lebanon. But the region has a long history of resilience in the face of adversity.

The conservative approach adopted by Lebanon's largely family-owned banking sector over the past decade has served it well in the post-crisis environment. Now its key players are increasingly eyeing an expansion into the frontier markets of eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. 

Riad Salameh, governor of the Banque du Liban, tells The Banker how the country's banks have been unaffected by the turbulence in the Middle East and north Africa, and explains why they have been performing so well of late.

As political and social unrest spreads across many countries in the Middle East and north Africa, Kuwait – the Gulf region's only democracy – is making progress across many fields in a quiet and efficient manner.

Funding retirement presents a challenge for governments in the Middle East and north Africa because of the vast numbers of people who will reach retirement age in the next 40 years – but it also offers opportunities for financial services providers.

Sheikh Salem Abdul Aziz Al-Sabah, central bank governor of Kuwait, tells The Banker about the next steps in the country's economic development plan and how a regional single currency can become a reality.

With a reputed $200bn under management, the Kuwait Investment Authority has been moving away from its traditional reliance on blue-chip stocks, but will its new enthusiasm for active investment pay off?

Oil companies are looking to Kuwait's government for signs that the country's major energy projects are to get under way, but legislative deadlock is hampering their future.

The unrest across the Arab world and the subsequent rise in oil prices have impacted upon Kuwait, but the tiny Gulf country seems well insulated from such issues, thanks in part to its government-approved $100bn development plan.

Mohammad Al-Jasser, governor of Saudi Arabia’s central bank, discusses the huge potential of sukuk issuance in an interview with Stephen Timewell in Riyadh.