The New Era of Banking and Finance in Kuwait is Here

25 October 2023
Four Seasons Hotel, Kuwait


  • 150+ Banking, Finance, Fintech and Technology Leaders
  • 25+ Thought Leaders and Experts
  • 5 In-depth & lively sessions on the future of Banking and Finance
  • 1 A day of Peer Interaction and Networking

Overview

Dawlat al-Kuwayt - The State of Kuwait is a key nation in the GCC, a region known to be responding to the current global economic and geo-political challenges with robust performance and a determination to develop, diversify and succeed. Likewise, the region’s banking and finance sectors are functioning with vigour, boosted by their purposeful moves to digitisation and technology driven destinies.

Like many leading economies in the GCC, Kuwait is set on modernising their banking and financial services sector. This inevitable development and the enhancements this will bring to customers,businesses and the economy will come about by the combined efforts of the government, regulators, the Central Bank of Kuwait, leaders in the banking, financial and fintech sectors and, without question, the providers of the technology that will enable this to happen.

The journey is in progress. Little more than one year ago early in 2022, guidelines were issued by the Central Bank of Kuwait for the establishment of digital banks, they have established the Kuwait National Payments System – KNPS and also issued the regulatory Sandbox Framework document to help foster innovation in products and services in payments.

The Swift and MEA Finance Banking Technology in Kuwait Summit, 2023, will debate the role that technology is and will be playing in the nations’ banking and financial sectors, how it will change the industry, whether it can add natural growth to the economy, or eventually lead to “home grown” multi-national financial giants.

The Swift and MEA Finance Banking Technology in Kuwait Summit, 2023, will gather national and regional leaders in Banking, Finance and Technology in a series of lively and highly topical panel debates. The Summit discussions will focus upon the change technology will bring to Kuwait’s banking and financial markets, the trends that are leading them and the shape of the tasks ahead needed to establish future-proofed banks.

What to expect

  • More than 150 banking and technology leaders with a format attracting the entire spectrum of interested professionals including regulators, technology companies, start-ups, fintechs, innovators and other stakeholders from the value chains.
  • Solid engagement opportunities for your company with decision makers, to directly tell them about your company’s solutions to today’s most pressing industry issues.
  • Exposure to the regional banking fraternity with your brand visibility in the exhibition area during networking breaks and via participation in panel discussions and keynote presentations.

Who should attend?

  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Chief Technology Officer
  • Chief Operating Officer
  • Chairman
  • Chief Audit Executive
  • Chief Commercial Officer
  • Chief Economist and Head of Research
  • Chief of Shared Services Officer
  • Chief Risk Officer
  • Managing Director
  • MD - Head of Treasury, Capital Markets & FI
    • Department & Section Heads
  • Partner - Financial Services
  • Advisor - Investment Management
  • Commercial Advisor
  • Executive Director
  • Head of Client Relations
  • Head of Payments, Remittances & FX
  • Head of Regulatory Advisory and Assurance
  • Head of Transaction Banking
  • Head Corporate Relations and Strategic Partnerships
  • Head Digital Strategy and Change
  • Head of Corporate Communications
  • Head Digital Strategy and Change
  • Head of E-Banking
  • Head of Market Risk
  • Head of AML & Sanctions
  • Head of Bancassurance
  • Head of CAD, Remedial & Collection
  • Head of Central Operations
  • Head of Change Management
  • Head of Client Experience
  • Head of Compliance
  • Head of CRM
  • Head of Disclosure and Issuance Department
  • Head of Enterprise Architecture
  • Head of Enterprise Banking Platforms
  • Head of External Communications
  • Head of Finance
  • Head of Financial Institutions
  • Head of Government Relations & PR
  • Head of Information Security
  • Head of Investment Solutions
  • Head of Issuance
  • Head of Prepaid Cards
  • Head of Regulatory Compliance
  • Head of Retail Banking
  • Head of Risk Specialist
  • Head of Strategic Planning
  • Head of Strategy - Technology
  • Head of Transaction Banking
  • Head Product Manager
  • Manager Audit & Compliance
  • Manager Operational Risk
  • Payments & Contract Manager
  • Portfolio Specialist - Insights & Strategy
  • Project Manager
  • Regional Compliance Manager
  • Regional Manager - Compliance & Risk Retention & Vigilance Manager
  • Senior CRM Project Lead
  • Senior CX Manager
  • Senior Manager - Digital Transformation
  • Senior Manager Treasury
  • Information Security, Senior Strategic Advisor
  • Senior Trade Officer, Strategy & PMO
  • Assistant Vice President - Global Customer Relations
  • Associate VP - Strategic Engagements
  • AVP Agile Delivery - Retail Banking
  • AVP Credit Risk and Portfolio Manager
  • FS Strategy Manager
  • SVP & Head of Compliance - Personal Banking Group
  • SVP & Regional Head - Corporate & Commercial Banking
  • Vice President, Compliance
  • VP Risk and Change Management
  • VP Wealth and Asset Management
  • VP - Strategic Initiatives & Bancassurance

Provisional Agenda

Wednesday, 25 October 2023

The Central Bank of Kuwait recently rolled out the Kuwait National Payments System - KNPS, connecting banks, financial institutions and payment gateways to update processes and improve the efficiency payments in the country. They also issued the regulatory Sandbox Framework document to help foster innovation in products and services in payments. How far has Kuwait come in recent years in the development of payments and adoption of banking technology? How does the country compare with the rest of the GCC in these terms and what can we expect to witness here in the coming years?

Why is it more essential than before that cross-border payments are quicker, frictionless and more efficient? What is in place and which developments are on the horizon to enhance the cross-border payments experience for businesses and the public alike? Can and should cross border always be faster and what should be in place to balance smoothness and speed with jurisdictional regulation and security?

Our era of digitisation, fintech and cloud migration offers exciting new services, agility, inclusivity, scalability and the promise of growing margins. But it also brings into focus the critical importance of keeping ahead of bad actor's intent on compromising security and disrupting the lives of banks and their customers. Strong and effective cybersecurity safeguards against more than just the possibility of financial losses, it can also shield an institution from lasting reputational damage. What are financial institutions doing today the defeat the scourge of cybersecurity.

With another year of accelerating digitalisation and further application of fintech behind us, the once clear definitions between competitors, vendors and partners across the banking and finance landscape continue to dissolve, evolving new business models, new dynamics and relationships. The session will debate the actions and preparedness of financial institutions, examine their attitude toward the newly forming realities and assess how to best leverage the changing market environment.

In day-to-day banking, digital processes are effectively the norm, having consigned old form banking practices to history. The way to distinguish your retail bank and hone and edge in the market leans on innovation backed by technology and partnerships with fintechs. But beyond the retail sector, how will technology take a bigger role in commercial and wholesale banking? How will technology change the specialist provision of wealth management services? This session will focus on how technology can continue to improve competitiveness, yield better results to retail banks and provide similar advantages in the broader financial landscape.

Speakers




MORE SPEAKERS TO BE ANNOUNCED



Sponsors


LEAD SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS

EXHIBITOR

FOR SPEAKING, SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBITION ENQUIRIES:

Nap Estampador
+971 50 100 5488
nap.estampador@mea-finance.com

Andrew Cover
+971 50 931 3236
andrew.cover@mea-finance.com

Kenneth Mitchen
+971 55 289 1739
ken.mitchen@mea-finance.com

FOR SPEAKING & AGENDA ENQUIRIES:

Natasha Cristi
+971 58 527 1219
natasha@mea-finance.com

Venue

Four Seasons Hotel, Kuwait

Swift & MEA Finance Leaders in Banking Technology Kuwait Summit 2023
25 October 2023
Four Seasons Hotel,
Kuwait
CONTACT US
Contact No. +971 50 100 5488
Office 404, Building B, Al Saaha Offices, Old Town Island
Burj Khalifa District,
PO Box 487177
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
www.mea-finance.com