Magazine issues»Spring 2015

Oil barrelOil is cheap, but for how long? And can the Gulf economies take the pain? George Mitton reports.

John-SfakianakisEmerging markets specialist Ashmore chose to establish its first Middle East office in Riyadh. George Mitton talks to John Sfakianakis, regional director.

CairoPrivate equity activity is still far from the exuberant pre-financial crisis days, but reports of a handful of big deals, and improved governance standards, give investors hope. Orlando Crowcroft reports.

South AfricaAs growth in their home market slows, South African asset managers are hoping to raise funds from the rest of the continent. But they face competition from Middle Eastern and global players, finds Dave Waller.

Al-MarajThe governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain says new rules on pay are fair, admits he is worried about Bitcoin, and promises more bank mergers in the coming year. George Mitton reports.

Rock cliffNine countries in the Middle East and North Africa are classified as frontier markets by index compiler MSCI, but only seven are part of the Frontier Markets index. We profile them below.

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Opinion

Change brings progress and long-term opportunities in Saudi Arabia

Saudi_ArabiaNaomi Waistell, an emerging markets fund manager at Polar Capital, analyses change in Saudi Arabia – a hydrocarbon country with green ambitions and which is set on a major economic...

New income streams

Romil_PatelAlthough it is awash with oil and, therefore, capital, the Gulf region is at a critical juncture: it must diversify its...

Executive Interviews

INTERVIEW: ‘Financing is the blood of Iran’s economy’

Amid a fresh wave of American sanctions, Romil Patel spoke to Meysam Hamedi, director of financial markets and instruments at Iran’s Securities & Exchange Organization (SEO).

INTERVIEW: Totally mega

In 2016, global consulting firm PWC forecast the emergence of five global ‘megatrends’ in the next two decades. Stephen Anderson, its Middle East clients and markets leader, talks about their...

INTERVIEW: Protecting the investment

Rasmala’s trade finance fund recently passed $100 million in assets. Doug Bitcon, head of credit strategies, explains why he has to be hands-on.

EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW: A natural interest in the topic

Since 2016, Guillermo Ortiz has been a chairman of Latin America’s BTG Pactual. The former central banker of Mexico talks to Nick Fitzpatrick.

Roundtables

Middle East Investor Roundtable 2020: Dimensions of diversification

Investors in the Middle East consider the tools that will be needed to navigate the Covid-19 crisis, the continued appetite for dividend and why it’s all about tech. Chaired by Romil Patel.

South Africa asset management roundtable: Global rebound on ice

Experts discuss the investment implications of the coronavirus pandemic, a delayed rebound in global growth and dealing with South Africa’s energy issues head on. Chaired by Romil Patel in Cape Town.

South African roundtable: Taking the bull by the horns

Our panel discusses Chinese investment in Africa, financial institutions’ contribution to economic sustainability and regulatory concerns. Chaired by Romil Patel in Cape Town.

ROUNDTABLE: Hooked to the global caravan

With the MENA region at a tipping point, our panellists talk about economic diversification, the impact of regulation and the delayed Saudi Aramco listing. Chaired by Romil Patel in Dubai.