The systemic risk in GCC private equity funds was grossly underestimated by investors who assumed that the region’s equity and property bubbles would last forever.
No matter the concessions to regional unrest, controlled state economies may not offer a solution in a networked global economy with unfettered capital markets.
With only around 10 per cent of Saudi’s currently owning their home, the new mortgage laws could be set to boost real estate firms, banks and society overall.
Anan Fakhreddin, the man charged with salvaging the reputation of Damas jewellery firm, tells Alicia Buller why he’s got one of the most difficult jobs in the region.
V Shankar, CEO of Standard Chartered says the unrest is inflating banking wages but he’s confident the UAE will be the financial services powerhouse for the region.
In the wake of the tax evasion clampdown in the West, Swiss banks are aggressively pursuing the emerging markets, says Raymond Baer, chairman of billion dollar investment bank Julius Baer.
Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways, speaks exclusively to Alicia Buller about Western detractors, rising oil prices, and why there’s enough future global demand to fill his record order book.
Harsh winters, quantitative easing and political unrest have pushed crude over $90 a barrel in the last three months. Rising oil prices could cause a double dip recession.