While many established global stock markets have seen mixed performance in recent years, Kuwait’s has shown positive gains, highlighting the robust nature of its capital markets. With an economy backed by rising oil prices and a solid, well-capitalised financial sector, the country continues to see international investor interest grow. Indeed, its benchmark indices recorded positive performances…
One of the world’s largest Islamic finance markets, Kuwait has a wide range of banking, sukuk (Islamic bonds) and takaful (Islamic insurance) entities and products on offer, with recent headwinds such as the Covid-19 pandemic proving little obstacle to the sharia-compliant sector’s continuing robust growth. Indeed, the country’s Islamic banks have been expanding faster than its conventional ones…
One of the world’s largest Islamic finance markets, Kuwait has a wide range of banking, sukuk (Islamic bonds) and takaful (Islamic insurance) entities and products on offer, with recent headwinds such as the Covid-19 pandemic proving little obstacle to the sharia-compliant sector’s continuing robust growth. Indeed, the country’s Islamic banks have been expanding faster than its conventional ones…
An easing of disruptions associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, a sustained increase in oil and gas receipts, and the rollout of a new law providing a framework for establishing digital offerings have given Kuwait’s banking sector renewed confidence that has been supported by the country’s wider economic recovery. Indeed, with real GDP returning to growth in 2021 and expected by the IMF to reach…
Saudi Arabia’s insurance market, the second largest in the Gulf region by gross written premium (GWP) after the UAE, offers a vibrant and competitive environment. Growth in recent years has been attributed to economic development creating new insurable assets, and new lines of mandatory coverage. Long-term direction is detailed in the country’s Vision 2030 development plan and targets a growing…
Capital markets in Europe, the US and Asia have experienced challenging times in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, Saudi Arabia’s capital markets have experienced sustained growth, with high-value initial public offerings (IPOs), robust trading and the Saudi Exchange showing the largest market capitalisation and liquidity of any country across the GCC…
Saudi Arabia’s banking sector is dynamic and competitive, comprised of domestic universal banks, foreign specialists and finance companies vying for market share. It is also a sector in the midst of significant and regulation-driven change, as the Kingdom’s leadership works to implement its long-term economic blueprint, outlined in detail in its Vision 2030 programme. Indeed, the financial sector…
The Gulf banking sector has witnessed an increase in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in recent years, as lenders continue to deal with the economic headwinds associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. At the outset of the pandemic in the first quarter of 2020, it was anticipated that the economic slowdown and the associated fall in oil prices would accelerate the M&A trend among banks in the region,…
Interview:Mohammed Al Rumaih What steps are required to deepen the participation of the private sector in Saudi Arabia’s economy? MOHAMMED AL RUMAIH: The private sector and investors – both foreign and local – have been increasing their participation in the economy. Our strategy moving forwards is to connect firms with the international market, attract additional global investors and boost…
After a resilient performance in 2020, the international Islamic finance sector fared positively in 2021 as an improved economic environment and a rise in the number of large projects combined to drive demand for services. Despite the twin challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and the fall in international oil prices that affected many of the world’s heavyweights in Islamic finance, the global sector’s…