Bahrain's central bank has steered the country's banking sector through a period of economic and political turbulence. With strong fundamentals and ample growth prospects, particularly in the Islamic finance segment, the country's lenders are now in a good position, but their future growth still hinges on the country maintaining social stability. 

Lebanon is facing a new dawn, with its first functioning government in months promising an end to the political volatility that has mired its economy in recent years. Yet despite this instability, the country’s banks have been steadily growing and increasingly looking to other markets to expand. 

Lebanon has endured a difficult few years of domestic and regional uncertainty, which have weighed heavily on its economy. But now the governor of the central bank Riad Salameh, is preparing for the prospect of renewed growth. 

Kuwait may lay claim to more than 5% of the world's total oil reserves, but without the expertise and equipment needed to tap into the bulk of this, and with strict rules prohibiting foreign help, the country is struggling to realise its energy potential.