Blockchain has the potential to revolutionize trade finance, but a lack of standardization will hinder its adoption.

Bahrain Best Bank

Euromoney and its sister publication GlobalCapital are conducting a worldwide survey on the fast-growing area of sustainable financing and investing. Both issuers and investors are invited to take part.

The vexed battle to finance small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) continues amid risk aversion, economic weakness, new regulations and banks’ balance-sheet repair. Here is a round-up of Euromoney's recent coverage.

For nearly two decades Dubai has acted as the beating heart of Middle Eastern finance, but now its long-dormant rivals are mounting successful efforts to reclaim a piece of the action.

Islamic finance has come a long way over the past few decades, maturing into a $2.4 trillion industry, but some long-term problems remain and the recent wrangle over a Dana Gas sukuk shows credibility is still an issue.

Digital innovation has the potential to transform international trade, yet many argue that banks are lagging in replacing antiquated systems for trade with smart solutions. What is behind the delays?

Veteran investor launches financial services firm to capitalize on reforms in Uzbekistan, while HSBC banker tapped to drive sovereign Eurobond debut.

Islamic finance has become too focused on getting arcane structures to be technically Shariah compliant, but a new initiative in Malaysia attempts to make Islamic finance socially positive once more – and to measure its success.

These are the areas that the United Nations says banks need to consider when accepting their responsibilities in shaping and financing a sustainable future.

Over 20 years after microfinance first arrived in Kyrgyzstan, the largest players are transforming into banks to lower funding costs and increase financial inclusion. Can they convince the country’s farmers to put their cash into banks instead of cows?

Welcome to Euromoney Trade Finance Survey 2019

MENA Nordic & Baltics

Euromoney's latest coverage of the bond markets in Africa.

New policies, new hope – the Malaysian election has lots of positives, but not for anyone who is seen as having been a Najib acolyte. For them, the axe is already falling.

Bahrain Best Bank

The Middle East’s financial centres are keen to collaborate on fintech, in an effort to catch up with US, UK and Asian markets. But with rich pickings on offer, there is also stiff competition to establish fintech dominance.

The country’s Employees Provident Fund puts considerable effort into Shariah compliance from an ESG framework. Could chief executive Shahril Ridza Ridzuan have hit upon a template for other Islamic funds?

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The impediments to providing more trade finance to emerging-market clients are well known, but that does not make them any easier to overcome. Could the ultimate solution be in turning trade finance into an attractive asset class for institutional investors?

Banks in Qatar have been hit hard by its powerful neighbours’ unexpected blockade, but finance, just like other sectors of the Qatari economy, is finding ways to cope with this sudden realignment of regional alliances.

Dana Gas, an Emirati gas company, is using Shariah non-compliance as an argument in its sukuk restructuring talks. That remarkable move, if successful, could undermine the whole system of trust built around Islamic finance in the Middle East.

The 2017 Euromoney Trade Finance Survey includes quantitative and qualitative client assessments of their trade finance providers. This year for the first time, Euromoney has produced the Trade Finance Stars, based on the qualitative responses of clients, a ranking that recognizes providers with exceptional qualitative ratings in particular regions and in five areas of client service (full methodology here).

The dearth of equity financing in the region plays into the hands of firms with strong debt franchises. The local banks are not leaving this business to the internationals and there is one local in particular whose efforts to develop its debt financing capacity should be recognized, not least for tapping into the local investor base.

Events such as the rise and fall in the oil price and the steep devaluation of the Egyptian pound, made 2016 another eventful year for markets businesses in the Middle East.