ACWA Power acquires solar plant with nine hours of storage

Ammar Shata, Executive Director and CEO, AlKhabeer Capital

Financial markets in the Gulf region have enjoyed strong growth, helped by healthy fiscal and current account surpluses. However, the GCC’s dependence on oil as a source of income also makes volatility high and forecasting difficult. Ammar Shata explains how AlKhabeer Capital has gained a competitive advantage in investment banking, focusing on a female client-base, gaining their trust by co-investing, and helping them find the right opportunities in real assets.

Abdulkareem Abu Al Nasr, CEO, National Commercial Bank

While most people still consider Saudi Arabia to be heavily reliant on oil, economic diversification has been one of the country’s strategic pillars since the 1980s. Today oil accounts for only 28 percent of GDP, in part thanks to the commitment of banks like NCB to supporting SMEs and local corporates. CEO Abdulkareem Abu Al Nasr discusses the current business environment and the bank’s commitment to sustainability.

Yahya Al-Sulaiman, CEO, Alistithmar Capital 

The Saudi market is now one of the most vibrant in the world, with a young population, stable political structure, and a huge investment in infrastructure driving economic growth. Formed from a merger of two arms of the Saudi Investment Bank, Alistithmar Capital is keeping pace with the change. Yahya Al-Sulaiman describes how it has tailored its services for clients from individual investors to high-end corporates.

Paddy Padmanathan, CEO, ACWA Power

ACWA Power manages a $15bn portfolio of power generation and water production assets in the GCC region, providing electricity and desalinated water to Saudi Arabia, Oman and Jordan. Paddy Padmanathan explains why this region’s young population and booming economies are creating strong growth in the utilities sector; and why sustainable operations and good corporate governance are so important when dealing with resources that are vital to human life.

Abdulkareem Abu Al-Nasr, CEO, National Commercial Bank

While Europe struggles with austerity, the Gulf region is recovering well. Three years ago Saudi Arabia implemented a stimulus plan to support the country, and today there are ample opportunities for growth. Abdulkareem Abu Al-Nasr explains how NCB was able to grow net income by almost 30 percent in 2011, and discusses the region’s challenges for 2012.

Dr Hilal Hussain Al-Tuwairqi, Chairman, Al Tuwairqi Holding Company

With a key focus on steel within the GCC industrial sector, Al Tuwairqi Holding is set to benefit significantly from the shift in manufacturing from Europe to the MENA region. Dr Al-Tuwairqi explains the company’s outlook.