UAE Banks Federation to host 2nd annual conference

DUBAI- Building on the success of its inaugural conference in 2013, the UAE Banks Federation, will be hosting its second annual conference – The Middle East Banking Forum – in Dubai on 17th November.

Representing 49 member banks operating in the UAE, the Federation will again be working with the Financial Times Live and The Banker magazine to produce a programme of topical and insightful discussions, presentations and debates with a wide range of local and international business and finance leaders who will share their experience and expertise with delegates.

This year the Middle East Banking Forum will focus on banking innovation in the digital world, and the impact an increasingly digitally connected world is having on the industry. With the launch of its Smart Government Mobile Wallet initiative, the banking sector in the UAE is making determined efforts to keep pace with this new world.

His Excellency AbdulAziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of the UAE Banks Federation, commented: “Last year’s event was a huge success, with senior attendance from across the regional banking sector, and a very high standard of presentations and debates.  

We are confident that the second edition of the Forum will return with success and development of best practices to further improves the banking system, we will be aiming to assess the effectiveness of the new delivery channels being used by banks.”

He added: “Nowadays, the turning of banks strategy of work towards digital economy is not only vital, but is becoming a must, hence, we chose our second edition theme to focus on the importance of innovation in the banking sector in a digital connected world beside other key topics that will be discussed across a range of sessions, interviews and dialogues that will gather leaders, specialists, consultants and experts in the sector, also 2014 event will offer all delegates the opportunity to participate, exchange views and experiences, through round table discussions on different key topics.”

The event will include a series of presentations, panel sessions and on-stage interviews, where chief executives from regional and international banks, consultants, experts and other senior banking leaders will offer their thoughts on innovation in delivery channels and strategy, opportunities and pitfalls of Mobile banking and payments, and a key session on governance and ethics, Ethical behaviour, financial inclusion, financial education, consumer protection and others.

In addition, the event will focus on latest Global and UAE developments in financial regulation; SME finance, and how they contribute to the economies of the Middle East; and another spotlight on Islamic banking, where discussions will highlight the demand for Islamic banking products and innovation.

Last year’s event featured John Bruton, former Irish Prime Minister and Chairman of the International Financial Services Centre Ireland, His Excellency Sultan Bin Nasser Al Suwaidi, Governor of the UAE Central Bank.