As both the banking sector and competition grow, Kuwait’s major banks are developing their individual strategies. Stephen Timewell reports.

In the Gulf financial centres race, Kuwait is starting at the back of the field and has yet to find its role.

Despite the enormous riches stemming from $70-a-barrel oil, strong growth and good prospects across all sectors, the jury’s out on whether Kuwait’s leadership has the political will to achieve its potential. Stephen Timewell explains.

More confident Lebanese banks have been moving into regional markets, helping to win another ratings upgrade, write Jon Marks and Eleanor Gillespie.

A new generation of mega-projects is creating huge opportunities for local and ‘suitcase’ bankers, writes Jon Marks in Riyadh.

Farhan Bokhari reports on the push for the expansion of shariah-compliant Arab Islamic money outside the Middle Eastern region.

After a rocky start, the Dubai International Financial Centre appears to have reached critical mass.

Boom time in the Middle East does not translate into an easy ride for fund managers, says Nick Kochan.

The Middle East private equity industry doubled in size in 2005, as more Gulf investors woke up to the potential for 25% annual returns.

Morgan Stanley’s managing director in the UAE, Georges Makhoul, tells Richard Dean how the bank has thrived since it opened for business in Dubai last year.