On the role of banks in supporting SMEs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia To what extent does the current macro backdrop translate into effective credit uptake by SMEs? Which risk-sharing tools can help ...

Saudi Arabia’s education system has undergone a significant restructuring in recent years, driven by the launch of Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s blueprint for socio-economic transformation. The ...

Sharjah is the only emirate of the seven in the UAE that borders both the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman – as well as all six other emirates – making it strategically important for transport and trade. It ...

Bahrain’s strategic location, business-friendly climate and increasingly diversified economy have helped the island country emerge as an appealing destination for international investors in recent ...

Located at the geographic centre of the MENA region, Egypt has a well-documented history that has seen it accumulate knowledge and wealth over millennia. Egypt proved resilient during the Covid-19 ...

Almost three years into its ninth five-year plan for 2016-20, Oman is beginning to reap the rewards of efforts to restructure and expand its transport and logistics sector. The Central Bank of Oman’s ...

In this Global Platform video, Mukesh Thakwani, CEO, B5 Plus Group, discusses the progress within Ghana’s steel industry, with local iron ore deposits helping to address raw material shortages and ...

In recent years the greater activity and growth in the real estate sector has contributed to Ghana’s continued economic expansion. Private entities own more than 70% of properties in the local ...

With a strong fiscal base, a high average per capita income and a strong shopping culture, Kuwait looks set to rebound from a period of stagnant growth caused by declining oil prices. While the local ...

Saudi Arabia’s ICT sector has already achieved notable success. As of 2022 it is the largest and fastest-growing market in the MENA region, with a value of SR154bn ($41.1bn). The scale of the ...

The financial services industry plays a crucial role in Bahrain’s economy, contributing 16.8% to GDP. Recognising the need to reduce the country’s dependence on oil, the government has prioritised the ...

Qatar has reaped benefits from changes in the global energy market caused by the conflict in Ukraine, and the accelerated energy transitions of several countries. The country has signed major ...