Author: OBG Admin

Emmanuel Macron-President of France

Evolving strategies: GCC countries adapt to the challenges and opportunities presented by rapidly advancing technologies

Posted OBG AdminPosted in Uncategorized

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) will pave the way for technology that has the power to greatly transform economies and societies worldwide. These technologies, which include artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, big data tools, the internet of things (IoT) and robotics, can improve overall quality of life and increase the efficiency of governments and businesses. However, the technologies can also be disruptive, requiring recalibrations of the workforce and changes to existing regulations. One mounting concern is the loss of jobs to automation. According to US consulting

David Gledhill-CEO-Port of Salalah

Smart solutions: Rapidly evolving technology presents opportunities to improve patient care and overcome challenges

Posted OBG AdminPosted in Uncategorized

Across the Gulf public health authorities and private institutions are investing in smart technologies to improve patient care. Data collection, sharing and analysis, DNA-driven research on precision medicine, and distance consultation and diagnostics are already being implemented in some areas of the GCC. The region’s hydrocarbons wealth is also being used to support the latest research and the commercial development of solutions for both medical professionals and patients. Meanwhile, the Covid-19 pandemic will be a major factor in budgetary considerations in the short term, as

Pham Hong Hai-CEO-HSBC Vietnam

The place to meet: A pipeline of major international events shines a spotlight on the Kingdom’s regional leadership and diversifying economy

Posted OBG AdminPosted in Uncategorized

In November 2020 Riyadh is set to host the 15th annual G20 Leaders’ Summit, bringing together the leaders of some of the world’s largest economies. Although the summit will span a period of just two days, more than 150 separate meetings, exhibitions and events are being organised around it, and are expected to be a major boon for the local economy. According to Riyadh-based investment and asset management company Jadwa Investment, the G20 summit is expected to add 0.2% to the country’s non-oil, private sector

Nhon Luc Ly-CEO-AIA Myanmar; Son Nguyen-Country President-Chubb Life Insurance Myanmar; Daw Zarchi Tin-CEO

Game-changer: A new trade deal lays the groundwork for the acceleration of integration and intra-continental trade in Africa

Posted OBG AdminPosted in Uncategorized

  Although trade flows among African states remain below their potential, an ambitious project is under way to accelerate economic integration and significantly expand intra-continental trade. Spearheaded by the African Union (AU), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement was signed in March 2018 and aims to reduce both tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade. As of December 2019 the AfCFTA had the backing of 54 out of the 55 member states of the AU. With the legal framework now signed and ratified, trading

Nhon Luc Ly-CEO-AIA Myanmar; Son Nguyen-Country President-Chubb Life Insurance Myanmar; Daw Zarchi Tin-CEO

Confidence building: A new investment law and efforts to streamline decision-making support rising foreign investment

Posted OBG AdminPosted in Uncategorized

  Egypt is working to establish itself as a leading destination for foreign direct investment (FDI). These efforts were spearheaded by the promulgation of a new investment law in 2017, which sought to significantly improve the legal framework for investors. While the impact of the legislation appeared to be muted, FDI inflows rebounded in both 2018 and 2019. While the government is currently focused on measures to offset the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, efforts are also under way to streamline decision-making processes and provide

Chaim Zach-Managing Director and CEO-Agric International Technology and Trade; Kabiru Rabiu-Group Executive Director-BUA Group; and Aliyu Abbati Abdulhameed-Managing Director

Counting costs: The Covid-19 pandemic is set to reduce remittance flows, but new technologies and increased competition could ease the impact

Posted OBG AdminPosted in Uncategorized

  The onset of a Covid-19-induced global recession has affected both labour markets and financial flows around the world. At the confluence of these two are remittances, which have increasingly been among the top contributors to GDP in many emerging markets over recent decades. In April 2020 the World Bank predicted that remittances to low- and middle-income countries would see the sharpest decline in recent history in 2020, falling by 19.7% to around $445bn, compared to $554bn in 2019. This is expected to disproportionately affect

Pham Hong Hai-CEO-HSBC Vietnam

Long-term vision: The country’s development strategy provides a guide to its post- Covid-19 economic recovery

Posted OBG AdminPosted in Uncategorized

  The Egypt Vision 2030 strategy is more of a statement of broad economic intent than a precise roadmap. However, against the backdrop of the global Covid-19 pandemic and with government policy focused on short-term mitigation efforts, the document provides as a useful reminder of the nation’s long-term economic ambitions. Launched in 2016, the strategy aims to create a “competitive, balanced and diversified economy” that supports “innovation and knowledge, social justice, economic development, and the environment”. A number of concrete macroeconomic goals are outlined in

Access for all: Non-banking financial services segment poised to increase in value and reach in the medium term

Posted OBG AdminPosted in Uncategorized

  Egypt’s non-banking financial services (NBFS) segment is widely seen as underpenetrated, and it is thus expected to witness considerable growth throughout the coming five-year period to 2025, due to Egypt’s favourable demographics. Support efforts from the Egyptian government, the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) and the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) will help drive this growth and manage risk. Performance These efforts include setting a minimum paid-in capital for companies financing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and those offering microfinance lending worth LE20m ($1.2m) and

Daniel Asare-Kyei-CEO-Esoko; Curtis Vanderpuije-CEO-ExpressPay; and Daniel Marfo-General Manager-Zipline Ghana

Advanced trading: The authorities implement a sustainable short-selling framework

Posted OBG AdminPosted in Uncategorized

  Short selling, by which investors borrow and sell shares to seek a margin on declining prices, has been on the development agenda of the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) for some time. The ability to short a stock brings a number of advantages for investors, which exchanges seeking to increase trading volumes are usually eager to highlight. Investors and portfolio managers frequently use the tool as a hedge to balance the risk associated with their long positions, either by shorting the same security or a related one. Investors may also use a short purely for purposes of speculation if they believe that a stock will decline

Pham Hong Hai-CEO-HSBC Vietnam

Flow plan: Increasing private investment and constructing new desalination facilities to tackle water shortages

Posted OBG AdminPosted in Uncategorized

  Egypt’s rapidly expanding population and increasingly intensive agricultural activity have made the sustainability of its water resources an issue of national security. In the past year the government has launched a strategy aimed at solving its water challenge, and its implementation is generating some of the nation’s biggest private investment opportunities. External Pressures Egypt relies on the Nile for 90% of its water supply and is therefore vulnerable to any changes in upstream conditions. In recent years, the Blue Nile tributary in northern Ethiopia,