Dr Hamad Al-Hasawi, secretary general of the Kuwait Banking Association, talks to James King about the country’s drive to become an Islamic finance hub, and how PPP project financing will bring further opportunities.
Middle East
Latest articles from Kuwait

Kuwait's CBG looks to stability and sukuk
April 1, 2016The governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait, Mohammad Al-Hashel, tells James King about his efforts to maintain exchange rate stability, prevent banks from becoming over-reliant on the real estate industry, and create a sukuk-friendly environment in the country.

Kuwait navigates the oil hazards
April 1, 2016With its unresolved dispute with Saudi Arabia over the so-called 'neutral zone' rumbling on, record-low oil prices and the possibility of an Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries-imposed production freeze, Kuwait's oil industry is under pressure. Still, the country remains committed to investments in the sector.

Kuwait maintains its long-term vision for growth
April 1, 2016Kuwait's economy has come under pressure in the past year, mainly due to falling oil prices. But, with the help of healthy sovereign reserves, the country has weathered the difficulties well, and the government remains committed to its long-term development plan.

KDIPA chief looks to foreign investment boost for Kuwait
April 1, 2016The director-general of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Agency tells James King how the country's opening up to foreign investment and the liberalisation of its economy is helping to alleviate the impact of the oil price crash.

A cautious optimism: Kuwait's banks stay ahead of the game
April 1, 2016There is a positive mood in Kuwait's banking sector, thanks in no small part to the government's healthy balance sheet and its commitment to project spending. However, the low oil price environment and cooling real estate market loom large on the horizon.

April 1, 2016
Kuwait boasts one of the most respected Islamic finance markets in the world. But ever keen to move with the times, the country is establishing a capital markets authority law designed to develop the domestic sukuk market, one of many recent boosts the industry has received.

Top 100 Arab Banks 2015: another strong year
October 1, 2015Banks across the Arab world continue to perform well despite the turbulent political environment, according to The Banker’s Top 100 Arab banks ranking.

Kuwait ignited: Gulf country enters a new phase of economic growth
April 1, 2015Hit hard by the global financial crisis and a stagnant domestic political scene, Kuwait is now emerging as a stable, pro-business destination with a buoyant private sector and an economy moving away from its reliance on oil, as James King discovers.

Kuwait CBG takes a positive outlook
April 1, 2015The governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait, Mohammad Al-Hashel, has every reason to look to the future with optimism, given that the country's banking sector is coping well with low oil prices, welcoming foreign entrants, bringing down its NPL ratio and helping diversify the country's economy.