From their enviably stable position, the UAE’s banks are in a strong position to face anything 2019 can throw at them, even the market turbulence caused by impending mergers and rising interest rates. James King reports.

The UAE’s reform timetable is providing the country with some breathing space in addressing problems with a declining real estate market and stagnant job creation rates. James King reports. 

Evans Munyuki, recently appointed as group chief digital officer at Emirates NBD, talks to Joy Macknight about his plans to take the digitally mature bank to the next level of innovation. 

The United Arab Emirates is hoping to build on its growing reputation as a business hub with a law designed to boost its credentials as a regional centre for arbitration, an increasingly popular method of dispute resolution. Kit Gillet reports.

Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, chairman of the UAE Banks Federation, talks to James King about the importance of sharing information to combat cybercrime and the power of artificial intelligence. 

SMEs seeking bank financing have traditionally had a tough task on their hands in the UAE. However, small steps are being taken to resolve this issue, and optimism is widespread that the situation will improve in line with the country's Vision 2021 national agenda. James King reports.

While the short-term future of the UAE's banks looks promising thanks to a growing national economy and rising oil prices, it is the sector's long-term prospects – due largely to its early embracing of AI and collaboration with fintechs – that are giving the greatest cause for optimism. James King reports.

Having survived a regional liquidity squeeze, the United Arab Emirates’ larger banks are eyeing opportunities further afield. Meanwhile, an overbanked market means consolidation is likely for the rest of the sector. James King reports.

The Dubai International Financial Centre has risen to become a major trade, investment and logistics hub over the past decade. However, as James King discovers, it is eyeing further growth through its strategy to become a leading global centre by 2024.

The United Arab Emirates Banks Federation is embarking on a range of measures to tackle the country’s slowing economy, including improving mobile banking payment services, bolstering the assistance provided to SMEs, and developing a more consistent approach to applying sharia law to finance. Its chairman speaks to James King.