Kuwait is positioning itself as a future regional financial, cultural and institutional hub, forging ahead with infrastructure mega-projects and developing private sector investment – apparently unbowed by disputes at home and between its Gulf neighbours. James King reports.
Latest articles from James King
Kuwait's banks forge ahead to outperform local economy
April 3, 2018Kuwaiti banks are in ebullient mood, reporting both decent profits and healthy capital adequacy levels. But while government spending promises further growth opportunities, competition for customers is heating up in a crowded market, as James King reports.
Kuwait eyes global Islamic finance hub status
April 3, 2018With one of the oldest Islamic banking sectors in the world, Kuwait continues to show impressive growth and adaptability in the industry. Now authorities in the country are looking to become big hitters on a regional and global level. Kit Gillet and James King report.
Sisi's reforms start to pay off for Egypt
April 3, 2018President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has pushed through business-friendly reforms that would have been unthinkable in Egypt a few years ago, including cutting fuel subsidies. The results have been impressive, bringing praise from the IMF. So is the optimism prevailing in the country justified? James King reports.
Bouyant banks shape Egypt's vision for 2030
April 3, 2018Egypt’s banks are throwing their weight behind extending financial inclusion to small and micro businesses, as well as the country's wider population as part of the national Vision 2030 strategy, helped by changes to the bankruptcy system and hopes of lower interest rates. James King reports.
Egypt’s planning minister outlines decentralisation and development plans
April 3, 2018Hala El Said, Egypt’s minister of planning and administrative reform, talks to James King about government strategies to cut unemployment through greater private sector involvement and the decentralisation of investment to the governorates.
Is the Gulf's M&A banking boom over?
March 1, 2018The Banker’s merger and acquisition figures for 2017 show the end of the Gulf’s buying spree and a sharp increase in activity from Africa and the Levant. James King reports.
Middle East and Africa M&A scene still has cards to play
March 1, 2018While 2017 was not the banner year for M&A in the Middle East and Africa that 2016 had been, headline-grabbing deals were still being struck, notably FirstRand Limited’s acquisition of Aldermore. James King reports.
First Bank of Nigeria CEO seeks to complete transformation
March 1, 2018Adesola Adeduntan, the chief executive and managing director of First Bank of Nigeria, talks to James King about his digitalisation strategy and the fight to reclaim the position of Nigeria’s number one lender.
UAE Banks Federation chairman sees the positive impact of AI
February 1, 2018Abdul 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.