Gintarė Skaistė, The Banker’s Finance Minister of the Year 2022, talks to Kit Gillet about the current state of the Lithuanian economy and how the country has further cut its ties with Russia.

With non-performing loan ratios remaining low and strong fundamentals, the Baltic country’s banks are well-prepared for a potentially challenging year ahead with rising inflation, energy concerns and geopolitical tensions. 

Access to NextGenerationEU funds and plans to create a pan-Baltic capital market will help the country overcome current challenging economic conditions.

Next year is gearing up to be an important one for Croatia’s economy after EU finance ministers gave the approval for Croatia’s membership of the eurozone.

With Croatia moving closer to joining the eurozone, the country’s banking sector is set to play a key role in managing the transition. Boris Vujčić, governor of the Croatian National Bank, talks to Kit Gillet about this key moment and the likely role of NextGenerationEU funds.

With Croatia set to join the eurozone in January 2023, the country’s banks are likely to play a significant role in the transition to the single currency.

Kit Gillet talks to Bassel Gamal, group CEO of Qatar Islamic Bank, about the role Islamic banking plays in Qatar today, the potential impact of the 2022 World Cup, and what is holding back the global adoption of Islamic finance.

As Qatar prepares to host the World Cup later this year, the country’s economy is set to receive a major windfall from higher gas prices.

The country’s banks are set for a bumper year, even as a heavy reliance on foreign funding raises concerns.

Mugur Isarescu, governor of the National Bank of Romania, speaks to Kit Gillet about the pandemic, key recent developments for Romania’s banking sector and the outlook for the period ahead.