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Arab World: Banking and Finance

Aramco IPO lures bankers to Saudi Arabia. Plus: start-ups eye global expansion of Islamic finance; Qatar spends its way past regional embargo; foreign investors hungry for Egyptian debt; UAE banking resilience put to the test

Aramco IPO lures dealmakers to kingdom despite headwinds
Bankers are being kept busy in the region as slower growth leads to consolidation
Islamic finance entrepreneurs eye new frontiers
Fintechs target growth in sharia-compliant products outside the main global hubs
Qatar pins growth hopes on domestic renewal
Doha responds to regional blockade with plan of self-reliance and higher spending
Saudi Arabia’s privatisation goals fall short on progress
Most business remains tied to the government, despite the kingdom’s push to diversify
Bahrain fintech model offers blueprint for rest of the region
Middle East lags behind global counterparts on digital innovation in finance
Hot money flows into Egyptian debt
High yields and relative stability pique interest of foreign buyers

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UAE banks prepare for rough ride ahead
Exposure to struggling property sector will test Emirates’ resilience