"Boubyan" Concludes Participation in the 2026 Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Bangkok

The Bank of Kuwait and the Foreign Trade (Boubyan) delegation concluded its participation in the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, held in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 12 to 18. The participation underscored the bank’s commitment to engaging in international economic and financial forums and tracking issues and trends that shape the future of the banking sector.

The bank’s delegation was led by Adel Al-Majed, Vice Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, and included Abdullah Al-Mohairi, Chief Operating Officer; Ahmed Al-Fahad, General Manager and Company Secretary; and Mohammed Al-Jasser Al-Ghanim, General Manager of Corporate Financing and International Financing.

On the sidelines of the meetings, the Boubyan delegation held a number of bilateral meetings with senior officials and leaders of global financial institutions and banks. These discussions focused on cooperation prospects and exchanging views on economic and financial developments, as well as issues affecting the future of the banking industry. The talks also explored opportunities for knowledge exchange and the development of banking solutions and practices to enhance sector efficiency and align with market demands.

The delegation presented the bank’s experience in developing a banking model that keeps pace with sector transformations, leveraging its expertise in Islamic banking and its use of digital technologies to enhance services and solutions. It also highlighted the bank’s achievements in innovation and digital transformation, and its role in supporting the growth of Kuwait’s digital economy and developing personal and corporate banking services.

Furthermore, the delegation discussed the bank’s vision for the coming phase and its journey toward becoming an AI-powered financial institution, enabling the development of its business model and customer experience, enhancing operational efficiency, and strengthening its ability to adapt to changes and capitalize on growth opportunities.

On the sidelines of the meetings, Boubyan won three global awards from Global Finance magazine: “Best Islamic Bank for Transaction Banking,” “Most Innovative Islamic Bank,” and “Best Islamic Bank for Personal Banking.” These accolades reflect Boubyan’s expanding leadership and distinction, and its ability to translate continuous development into services and solutions that meet customer needs and solidify its global standing.

The Boubyan delegation participated in the Kuwaiti Banks Reception organized by the Kuwait Banks Association on the sidelines of the meetings. The event was hosted by Bassel Al-Haroun, Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait, and attended by Minister of Finance Dr. Yaqoob Al-Rafai, Kuwait’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand Dr. Meshal Al-Mansour, several governors of central banks in Arab countries, chairmen of Kuwaiti banks’ boards, senior executives of financial and banking institutions, and a select group of economic and investment figures from around the world.

The delegation also attended a luncheon hosted by Kuwait’s Ambassador to Thailand in honor of the Kuwaiti delegation participating in the annual meetings. The event was attended by the Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait, the Minister of Finance, and several representatives from Kuwait’s financial and banking sectors.

The IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings are among the most prominent international economic and financial forums, bringing together finance ministers, central bank governors, leaders of financial and banking institutions, and policymakers from around the world.

These meetings provide an international platform for exchanging views on fiscal and economic policies, leveraging diverse expertise in managing changes, and supporting long-term growth and stability opportunities. They offer participating institutions a clearer perspective on the trends reshaping the global economy and banking industry.

Boubyan’s participation in the meetings strengthens its presence in global economic dialogue, enabling it to engage with international partners and discuss the key challenges and opportunities facing the financial sector. It also supports its alignment with global developments and its adoption of international best practices to enhance its banking services and strengthen its ability to meet its clients’ needs efficiently and effectively.