Abdullah Al-Nasser: IMF and World Bank meetings offer chance to assess global economic shifts

Bank Al Ahli announced its participation in the 2026 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, scheduled to be held in Bangkok from October 12 to 18, 2026.

The bank’s delegation will be led by Sheikh Abdullah Nasser Al-Sabah Al-Sabah, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bank Al Ahli, reflecting the bank’s commitment to strengthening its relations with international financial institutions and engaging in global economic dialogue. The delegation will also include Faisal Mansour Sarrouh, Vice Chairman of the Board; Abdullah Maaref, General Manager of the Treasury and Financial Institutions Department; Badr Al-Arqat, Deputy General Manager of the Financial Institutions Department; and Dhafer Al-Qabandi, Assistant General Manager of the Brand Management and Communications Strategy Department.

Participation in the meetings enables the bank to exchange insights on market and banking sector developments, and to explore areas of cooperation with international financial institutions. The meetings take place against a backdrop of significant global economic shifts, marked by growing impacts of geopolitical developments, shifts in capital flows, evolving monetary conditions, changing growth trajectories, and rapid technological advancements affecting markets and financial institutions.

Commenting on the bank’s participation, Sheikh Abdullah Nasser Al-Sabah Al-Sabah stated: “The global economy is undergoing important structural transformations, with increasing interconnections between geopolitical developments, capital flows, technological progress, and shifts in growth paths.

“The Annual Meetings represent a crucial opportunity to comprehensively assess these developments, exchange views with global financial institutions and policymakers, and enhance our understanding of the risks and opportunities that will help shape market trajectories in the coming years.”

He added: “For Bank Al Ahli, our participation in such high-level forums is part of a strategic approach aimed at maintaining close engagement with global economic dialogue and continuing to develop our long-term vision in line with the increasingly complex and interconnected global financial landscape.”

Bank Al Ahli’s participation also aligns with its long-term vision to strengthen its position as a leading regional banking institution, while contributing to the continuous development of the banking sector and its role in supporting Kuwait’s economic priorities.

The Annual Meetings provide the bank with an opportunity to deepen its relationships with international financial institutions, exchange perspectives on issues impacting the sector, and keep pace with trends that will help shape the future of banking and financial services.

The importance of Bank Al Ahli’s participation extends beyond strengthening ties with international financial institutions; it also involves contributing to discussions on the future of the global financial sector, drawing on the group’s extensive experience across multiple markets and its specialized expertise in corporate and institutional banking, treasury, and financial markets. This is complemented by its deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing regional economies, further enhanced by the group’s capabilities in investment banking and asset management through Kuwait Investment Company (KIC), represented by Faisal Sarrouh, who serves as Vice Chairman of Bank Al Ahli and Chief Executive Officer of KIC.

This integration of expertise enables the delegation to provide specialized insights into capital markets, investment trends, cross-border capital flows, and the evolving role of financial institutions in bolstering economic resilience and supporting sustainable growth. The group’s capabilities have also recently been strengthened by the integration of Boursa Kuwait Bank (currently undergoing a rebranding process, formerly known as United Gulf Bank) into its operations, adding a new dimension to its regional banking and investment expertise, including its proficiency in Islamic finance.

By combining traditional banking, investment management, and Sharia-compliant financial capabilities, Bank Boursa Kuwait Group participates in the annual meetings with a comprehensive perspective on the region’s financial sector landscape.

This diversity of expertise empowers the group to contribute effectively to dialogues on financial innovation, the evolution of financing models, and the growing importance of regional financial institutions in linking local markets to the global economy.

As the State of Kuwait continues its journey toward economic diversification and achieving the objectives of “Kuwait 2035 Vision,” Bank Boursa Kuwait remains focused on the role the banking sector can play in supporting investment, strengthening ties with regional and international capital markets, and building a resilient financial system capable of supporting long-term sustainable growth.