Geopolitical volatility following the Iran war has driven sharp repricing across war risk, marine and specialty insurance lines globally The structural limitations of private insurance markets exposed by the Strait of Hormuz disruption are opening space for emerging market players and new public-private mechanisms Turkey and Kenya are advancing as regional insurance and reinsurance…
Interview: Basel Al Haroon, Governor, Central Bank of Kuwait, on liquidity, innovation, risk management and shaping future competitiveness How has recent growth in domestic banking assets affected liquidity levels and the ability of banks to finance large-scale infrastructure projects? BASEL AL HAROON: Banking sector assets grew by 4.6% in 2024, demonstrating the sector’s resilience even amid tighter…
Interview: Mai Al Owaish, CEO, Kuwait Credit Information Network Company, on enhancing credit information exchange To what extent is the role of credit information evolving, particularly in improving access to financing and supporting decision-making? MAI AL OWAISH: Reliable credit data allow lenders to assess risk accurately and make smarter decisions, whether it is for a small personal loan or…
Interview: Isam Al Sager, Group CEO, National Bank of Kuwait, on driving innovation, digital transformation and financial inclusion In what ways are digital banking and financial technology reshaping customer expectations? ISAM AL SAGER: Digital platforms now dominate retail transactions, with younger generations driving demand for seamless, real-time and contactless payments. For corporations, digital…
Interview: Khaled Yousef Al Shamlan, Group CEO, Kuwait Finance House, on fostering innovation and public-private collaboration What strategic measures should Kuwaiti Islamic financial institutions take to further solidify their position amid rising regional and global competition? KHALED YOUSEF AL SHAMLAN: Kuwaiti Islamic financial institutions should pursue a multi-faceted strategy, exploring both…
Interview: Mohammad Saud Al Osaimi, CEO, Boursa Kuwait, on boosting Kuwait’s global reach and investor confidence Which new structural adjustments or market changes are being introduced to further develop Kuwait’s capital markets? MOHAMMAD SAUD AL OSAIMI: Kuwait has implemented a wide-ranging set of structural reforms, improving efficiency and strengthening its appeal to both institutional and…
Interview: Faisal Mansour Sarkhou, CEO, Kamco Invest, on fostering resilient long-term investor confidence How would you characterise the current economic landscape in the GCC amid ongoing fiscal reforms and diversification efforts? FAISAL MANSOUR SARKHOU: The region is undergoing a period of structural transformation. We are no longer discussing diversification as a long-term aspiration; we are…
Interview: Ali Khalil, CEO, Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz), on market innovation, technological opportunities and strategic challenges How do you see the financial services sector evolving in response to efforts to diversify the economy? ALI KHALIL: The financial services sector acts as a key enabler, allocating capital to the areas of the economy most likely to grow and deliver returns. Given…
Interview: Ali Al Hendal, CEO, GIG Kuwait, on how digital tools and regulatory reforms are transforming distribution How will the 2025 rules on mandatory policies and QR-based verification reshape distribution, fraud control and customer trust? ALI AL HENDAL: Standardised policy formats will reduce ambiguity, while QR verification – which comes into effect after the implementation period and applies…
Open banking has rapidly emerged as a transformative force in global finance, redefining traditional banking models by enabling secure, application programming interface (API)-driven data sharing and third party service integration. Valued at approximately $25.1bn in 2023 and poised to surge to $29.6bn by 2025 – ultimately eclipsing $306.6bn by 2035 – the global market’s projected compound annual…
