National Bank Showcases Its Experience in Empowering Female Talent

In line with its firm commitment to supporting women’s empowerment and promoting sustainable economic development, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) sponsored the Women and Economy Conference, held under the patronage and in the presence of the Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment, Abdulaziz Al-Marzouq. The conference discussed ways to expand women’s economic participation and the role of technology, finance, and policies in supporting them.

NBK participated in a main panel discussion during the conference titled “The Future of Women in the Economy: How Fintech, Artificial Intelligence, and Public Policy Will Shape a More Inclusive Economy.” The session was moderated by the UK Ambassador to Kuwait, Qadsi Rashid, and represented by Amal Al-Duwaisan, CEO of Weyay Bank.

The conference aims to support dialogue on innovation, fintech, and public policies that contribute to women’s empowerment and sustainable economic growth.

NBK’s participation in the “Future of Women in the Economy” session underscored its ongoing commitment to enhancing women’s role in driving economic development and digital transformation.

Al-Duwaisan also highlighted successful models of female leadership that have contributed to advancing digital transformation within the NBK Group, emphasizing the importance of continuous investment in developing and preparing national talents for future jobs.

She stressed that women have become key partners in leading innovation and decision-making across various sectors, and highlighted the need to create a supportive environment that enables them to leverage opportunities offered by the digital economy.

In this context, Al-Duwaisan discussed the growing role of fintech in expanding financial services and supporting entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners, noting that digital solutions have helped simplify financial processes and reduce challenges related to access to banking services.

She also shed light on the importance of building a digital financial system that not only focuses on innovation but also contributes to enhancing financial literacy and encouraging savings and responsible financial management, thereby positively impacting the financial sustainability of individuals and society.

Stemming from its belief in the importance of balancing innovation with stability, NBK reaffirms its support for efforts aimed at developing a flexible regulatory environment capable of keeping pace with the rapid developments in fintech and artificial intelligence, while maintaining the highest standards of governance and customer protection.

During the session, Al-Duwaisan pointed out the importance of regulatory frameworks based on fundamental principles such as transparency, consumer protection, privacy, and cybersecurity, which create a favorable environment for responsible innovation. She also emphasized that trust will remain the decisive factor in the success and sustainability of digital transformation.

This aligns with the bank’s approach to developing its digital services within a framework based on responsibility and transparency, thereby enhancing customer trust and supporting the long-term growth of the digital economy.

NBK’s participation in the Women and Economy Conference embodies its vision that places human capital at the core of the development process, through investing in national talents and empowering women and youth to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to keep pace with the future.

Al-Duwaisan stressed during the session that the rapid developments in artificial intelligence and fintech necessitate a doubled investment in education, continuous development, and financial literacy, noting that building a more inclusive and sustainable economy begins with empowering individuals and equipping them with the tools that help them succeed in a changing economic environment.

She added that the institutions best positioned to deliver sustainable value to society and the economy will be those that succeed in deploying technology responsibly, while keeping human capital and trust as two fundamental pillars of growth.

She said, “At National Bank of Kuwait, we view technology as a means to empower individuals, enhance opportunities, and promote financial inclusion, rather than as an end in itself. The future belongs to institutions that strike a balance between innovation and trust, and between technology and the human element, thereby generating a positive and sustainable impact on society and the economy.”

In line with its commitment to empowering future generations and strengthening financial literacy among youth, Weyay Bank, the pioneer in providing digital banking solutions in Kuwait, participated in a distinguished panel discussion featuring Aliya Al-Sanea, Vice President of Marketing at Weyay Bank.

The session was moderated by one of the child participants in the conference, a move that underscored the importance of engaging emerging generations in dialogues about the future and listening to their views and aspirations regarding economic and technological issues.

The session was attended by a number of young people and students, including members of the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity, along with a group of enthusiasts interested in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

It also highlighted the bank’s role in promoting a culture of savings and early financial planning through innovative digital solutions, notably features linked to savings accounts and expense management tools, as well as the “Jil” initiative, which aims to enhance financial awareness and instill sound financial habits among emerging generations.

She emphasized that the future of the banking sector extends beyond offering traditional financial services to include empowering young people to build a healthy and sustainable relationship with money from an early age, helping them make more informed financial decisions and better prepare for the future.

Al-Sanea concluded by reaffirming that Weyay Bank continues to develop innovative banking solutions specifically designed to meet the needs and evolving aspirations of young people, driven by its belief that investing in new generations is a direct investment in the future of the economy and society.