"Al-Markaz" Participates in the "Gulf-Asian Forum"

Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) announced its participation in the Gulf-Asia Economic Forum: Banking, Investment, and Digital Infrastructure, organized in collaboration with the Kuwait Banks Association and The Business Year. The event is scheduled for tomorrow in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, coinciding with the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group.

Markaz’s participation aligns with its support for initiatives that enhance Kuwait’s international economic presence and broaden horizons for dialogue and cooperation among financial and investment institutions in global markets. The forum brings together a select group of government officials, banking and investment leaders, and technology specialists from the Gulf and Asia to discuss opportunities for strengthening financial integration and developing sustainable economic and investment partnerships between the two regions.

Ali Khalil, CEO of Markaz, will participate in the second panel discussion, titled “Cross-Border Investment, Capital Markets, and Investment Deal Flows,” alongside several senior representatives of Asian investment institutions.

The session will explore ways to translate economic cooperation between the two regions into actionable investment opportunities, focusing on project and infrastructure financing, private credit and private equity, co-investment platforms, and access to capital markets and sukuk issuances.

Drawing on Markaz’s extensive experience in asset management and investment in global markets, Khalil will present his perspective on the opportunities available to Gulf capital in Asian markets, the factors influencing institutional investors’ decisions, and the regulatory and legislative requirements that contribute to enhancing the flow and sustainability of investments.

Commenting on the participation, Khalil said, “Asian markets continue to offer promising investment opportunities for Gulf investors, driven by technological advancement, the growth of consumer markets, and the reshaping of global supply chains. However, translating these opportunities into successful long-term investments depends on several fundamental factors, most notably the clarity and transparency of regulatory frameworks, the robustness of the legal system, the depth of market liquidity, and the effectiveness of governance practices. These factors represent key pillars in institutional investors’ assessment of markets and in determining their asset allocation strategies.”

He added, “Kuwaiti investors have a long history of exploring opportunities beyond traditional markets, with early presence in several Asian markets. As economic relations between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Asian economies grow, strengthening capital market interconnectivity and expanding institutional cooperation can facilitate the flow of investments. We see particularly promising opportunities in digital infrastructure and logistics, supported by structural shifts in technology, consumption patterns, and international trade. Developing appropriate regulatory and investment frameworks will play a fundamental role in creating conditions to capitalize on these opportunities.”

The forum’s agenda centers on three main strategic pillars addressing the financial and technological foundations to enhance economic cooperation between Gulf and Asian countries. The first pillar, “Banking Partnerships and Balance Sheet Utilization,” discusses ways to strengthen cooperation between Gulf and Asian banks through cross-border financing, syndicated loans, conventional and Sharia-compliant financing, as well as liquidity management and treasury activities collaboration.

The second pillar, “Cross-Border Investment, Capital Markets, and Investment Transaction Flows,” focuses on developing viable investment opportunities and enhancing capital flows through project financing, investments in private markets, co-investment platforms, and capital market instruments.