KFB Concludes Active Participation in IMF and World Bank Meetings in Bangkok

Kuwait Finance House (KFH) concluded its active participation in the 2026 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, hosted in the Thai capital Bangkok, with a high-level delegation led by Hamed Abdulmuhsin Al-Marzouq, Chairman of the Board of Directors of KFH Group, and including Khaled Yousef Al-Shamlan, CEO of the Group, along with several senior executives from the Group.

KFH’s participation underscored its influential international presence at the most prominent global economic and financial forums, where it presented strategic insights on economic development prospects, rapid transformations in regional and global markets, and the exploration of promising opportunities. It also highlighted the growing role of Islamic finance in supporting financial stability and financing sustainable growth, alongside strengthening partnerships with international financial and investment institutions.

The KFH delegation participated in a series of meetings and sessions that brought together finance ministers, central bank governors, senior executive officials, and representatives of global financial and investment institutions. These discussions focused on key global economic and financial developments, growth prospects, ways to strengthen the resilience of the banking sector, and its role in supporting sustainable development.

During the meetings, the bank showcased its pioneering experience in Islamic finance, digital transformation, financial innovation, and enhancing customer experience, while emphasizing its role in providing innovative banking and financing solutions that contribute to supporting economic development and enhancing financial stability.

The Group’s delegation affirmed that participation in these global meetings represents an important opportunity to strengthen relations with international financial institutions, gain insights into best practices and future trends in the banking sector, thereby supporting the Group’s ability to capitalize on unique opportunities, enhance its competitiveness, and continue delivering added value to customers and shareholders.

Hamed Al-Marzouq participated in a dialogue session at the Gulf-Asia Economic Forum, held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok on the sidelines of the annual meetings, titled “Banking, Investment, and Digital Infrastructure.”

During the session, Al-Marzouq highlighted the growing strategic importance of relations between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Asia, and the pivotal role played by the banking sector in enhancing economic integration between the two regions.

Khaled Al-Shamlan also participated in a dialogue session titled “Core Banking and Balance Sheet Partnerships,” which addressed the growing banking cooperation between GCC countries and Asia, increasing trade flows, and the rising demand for Sharia-compliant financing solutions.

The forum was attended by a distinguished group of senior officials and decision-makers, including Jassem Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council; Dr. Yaqoob Al-Rafai, Kuwait’s Minister of Finance; Bassel Al-Haroun, Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait; as well as central bank governors, GCC ambassadors, and leaders of financial, investment, and technology institutions from across the Gulf and Asia.

Additionally, the KFH delegation participated in the Kuwaiti Banks Reception organized by the Kuwait Banks Association, under the patronage of Central Bank Governor Bassel Al-Haroun, and attended by Arab central bank governors, chairmen of the boards of Kuwaiti banks, senior leaders from the financial and banking sectors, and several prominent international economic figures.

The Bitfinex delegation also participated in the dinner hosted by the Kuwaiti Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand, attended by Kuwait’s Ambassador Dr. Meshal Al-Mansour, along with a number of government officials and Kuwaiti banking leaders, as well as taking part in events organized by a group of Gulf central banks.

On the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings, the Bitfinex Group delegation received seven prestigious awards at the 19th edition of the Global Finance Awards for Best Islamic Financial Institutions 2026, presented by Global Finance magazine, underscoring the Group’s leadership in the Islamic finance sector, the success of its strategy in achieving sustainable growth, and strengthening its global presence.