Interviews - MarcoPolis

Kuwait retail market is more mature market and Kuwait luxury retail market is probably the most mature market of the GCC countries in this field, with a long history of renowned luxury brands opening their first shop in Kuwait. Subsequently, Kuwaiti customers are very brand-aware; fashion-oriented and act as real trendsetters for the rest of the region. Chalhoub Group often witness customers visiting shops with 1 or 2 pictures collected from the Internet, of fashion shows that only happened a few hours earlier, asking to pre-book these items to be the first to acquire them. Chalhoub Group expects the region to be relatively resilient: 2% growth in 2010, compared to a 15-20% decline globally.

Gulf Bank Kuwait New Strategy

March 4, 2010

Interview with Mr. Michel Accad, CEO of Gulf Bank
In December, Gulf Bank Kuwait had a meeting with the top fifty leaders at Gulf Bank and we decided on Gulf Bank’s strategic direction. Gulf Bank’s vision was to be a dominant player in the local, conventional banking market, focusing on retail and commercial banking. At this stage, Gulf Bank is not particularly interested in Islamic finance, or direct investments, or brokerage. The key thing that came up from that meeting was that for the next two years Gulf Bank will be in rebuilding mode and our strategy will revolve around four pillars.

Kuwait Banking Kuwait Islamic Banking Interviews

Kuwait Leading Islamic Bank, Kuwait Finance House (KFH)

February 11, 2010

Interview with Mohammed Sulaiman Al-Omar, CEO of Kuwait Finance House (KFH). Kuwait Finance House is in green numbers and working within the markets. If we as Kuwait Finance House look at Kuwait costs of funding, it came down from 6.5% to 3% which is almost 50% and if I was a bank and wanted to price my product I would need to look at the base rate, which has come down quite a huge percentage. Thus, Kuwait Finance House is still in the green and are optimistic for the market in the banking sector.

Kuwait Capital Markets Kuwait Economy Kuwait Investment Kuwait Investment Interviews

Kuwait Investment, Global Investment House

February 10, 2010

Mrs. Maha Al Ghunaim, Chairperson and Managing Director of Global Investment House. Our main challenge is to reposition the Global Investment House brand. The weak macroeconomic environment impacted Global Investment House operations negatively and in 2008 Global Investment House recorded our first loss in the company’s history. We are now working to deleverage the company, while maintaining our clients’ trust. Global Investment House has revised its strategy to focus on our asset management, investment banking and brokerage activities and enhance our products and services.

Partners

November 4, 2009

Business Partnership

Chambre de Commerce Franco Arabe

November 3, 2009

Créée en 1970 sous forme d’association, la Chambre de Commerce Franco Arabe est une assemblée consulaire mixte et paritaire dont l’objet est de favoriser et de développer les relations commerciales et la coopération industrielle, financière, touristique et agricole entre les opérateurs économiques français et arabes.

Business Partnership

Convention Europe Afrique du Nord

November 2, 2009

En mettant au cœur de ses éditions les enjeux euro–africains, la Convention Europe Afrique du Nord souligne le rôle positif que la région peut jouer dans les dynamiques économiques, sociales, et géo stratégiques qui agissent sous nos yeux. Etre acteur des relations Europe Afrique du Nord nécessite des ambitions nouvelles, une approche mentale que certains groupes économiques d’Afrique du Nord pionniers ont intégrée depuis plusieurs années.

Bahrain Interviews

H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Bahrain Prime Minister

June 28, 2009

Interview with H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain
Today’s global economy is based on partnership, cooperation, and large economic entities. We, in the GCC countries, have great prospects for cooperation in many areas.

Bahrain Banking Interviews

Gulf Finance House Investment Bank in Bahrain

June 18, 2009

Gulf Finance House Investment Bank in Bahrain, Head of Private Equity at Gulf Finance House, Nabeel Kazerooni
We have a very good brand name, in the past we have been very good to our customers and have had fantastic results that, compared to other institutions, are far better.
Gulf Finance House Investment Bank in Bahrain, Head of Asset Management at Gulf Finance House, Alan Durrant
We don’t just want to put capital into companies in the west; we also want to bring know-how and technology to benefit the people of the region.

Bahrain Banking Interviews

Bahrain Economy Overview

June 15, 2009

Dr. Ala’a Al-Yousuf, Chief Economist of Gulf Finance House Bahrain economy is expected to slow sharply in 2009 to 3% after growing by 8.1% and 5.7% in 2007 and 2008 respectively, as regional growth moderates and government finances are squeezed.