Kuwait Finance House launches strategic visions for economic development and sustainable growth
Kuwait Finance House concluded its participation in the IMF and World Bank meetings in Bangkok, winning seven global awards and presenting visions on economic development.
Translated by Qiyas from السياسة — Original source
Strengthening its international presence at the conclusion of its active participation in the IMF and World Bank Group 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 by the Thai capital Bangkok, with a high-level delegation led by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of KFH Group, Hamad Abdulmohsin Al-Marzouq. The delegation included the Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Khaled Yousef Al-Shamlan, 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. The Group presented strategic insights on the prospects for economic development, 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.
High-Level Meetings
The KFH delegation participated in a series of meetings and dialogues bringing together finance ministers, central bank governors, senior executive officials, and representatives of global financial and investment institutions. Discussions focused on key global economic and financial developments, growth prospects, and ways to enhance the resilience of the banking sector and its role in supporting sustainable development.
Strengthening Partnerships and Showcasing Leading Expertise
During the meetings, KFH showcased its pioneering experience in Islamic finance, digital transformation, financial innovation, and customer experience enhancement. It also emphasized 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 relationships with international financial institutions, learn about best practices, and understand future trends in the banking sector. This supports the Group’s ability to capitalize on unique opportunities, enhance its competitiveness, and continue delivering added value to customers and shareholders.
Prominent Participation in the GCC-Asia Economic Forum
Hamad Abdulmohsin Al-Marzouq, Chairman of the Board of Directors of KFH and Chairman of the Kuwait Banks Association, participated in a dialogue session at the GCC-Asia Economic Forum, held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok on the sidelines of the annual meetings. The session was titled “Banking, Investment, and Digital Infrastructure.”
During the session, Al-Marzouq highlighted the growing strategic importance of relations between the 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 Yousef Al-Shamlan, Chief Executive Officer of KFH Group, 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 select group of senior officials and decision-makers, including Jassim Mohammed Al-Badawi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council; Dr. Yaqoub Yousef Al-Rafai, Kuwait’s Minister of Finance; Bassel Ahmed Al-Haroun, Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait; as well as central bank governors, ambassadors of GCC countries, and leaders of financial, investment, and technology institutions from across the Gulf and Asia.
Participation in the Kuwaiti Banks Reception
The Kuwait Finance House (KFH) delegation also participated in the reception for Kuwaiti banks organized by the Kuwait Banks Association, under the patronage of Bank of Kuwait and the Middle East Governor Bassel Al-Haroun, with the attendance of Arab central bank governors, chairmen of Kuwaiti banks’ boards of directors, senior leaders from the financial and banking sectors, and several prominent international economic figures.
The event is among the most prominent side events of the annual meetings, serving as a platform for exchanging views and expertise and discussing regional and global economic and financial challenges and developments.
Participation in the Kuwaiti Embassy Reception
The KFH delegation also attended the dinner hosted by the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in the Kingdom of Thailand, in the presence of Kuwait’s Ambassador to Thailand, Dr. Meshal Al-Mansour, along with several government officials, Kuwaiti banking leaders, and participation in reception events organized by a number of Gulf central banks.
The KFH delegation included Chairman of the Board Hamad Abdulmohsen Al-Marzouq, Group Chief Executive Officer Khaled Yousef Al-Shamlan, Group Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Treasury and Financial Institutions David O’Loughlin, Head of Treasury – Kuwait Ahmed Al-Samit, Chief Executive Officer of Baitak Capital Abdullah Al-Haddad, Group Head of Public Relations and Media Yousef Al-Rouaih, Chief Executive Officer of KFH Turkey Afak Uyan, and Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Treasury and Investment at KFH Bahrain Bassam Al-Ali.
The Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are among the most important global economic events, bringing together policymakers and leaders of financial and economic institutions to discuss the most pressing global economic and financial challenges and to forecast the future of sustainable growth and development.
Seven Global Awards from “Global Finance”
On the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank meetings, the KFH 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, reaffirming the Group’s leadership in the Islamic finance sector and the success of its strategy in achieving sustainable growth and enhancing its global presence. The awards included:
● Best Islamic Bank in the World.
● Best Islamic Bank for Corporate Banking in the World.
● Best Islamic Bank for Social Responsibility in the World.
● Best Provider of Islamic Project Finance in the World.
● Best Islamic Bank in Kuwait.
● Best Islamic Bank in Bahrain (KFH Bahrain).
● Best Islamic Bank in Turkey (KFH Turkey).
