Cash

As part of Cash & Trade’s regional coverage and following our first roundtable in the KSA, we organised a UAE Roundtable discussion under the sponsorship of Emirates NBD transaction banking services. Last year was an excellent one for cash and trade business in the UAE, with the international banks confirming it was a good 12 months across the whole region, …

Senior leaders in the region are taking solid steps to set up ‘next generation’ business models in correspondent banking. ALEXANDER R. MALAKET, CITP, looks at how what is happening today will shape ‘tomorrow’ The global financial crisis, which has had – and continues to have – implications of varying degrees of seriousness across the globe, has indisputably resulted in a …

The upcoming Treasury and Cash Management Forum will be brought to you by Marcus Evans scheduled for the 29th of April 2012 till the 1st of May 2012 at the Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers. It is essential for today’s treasury professionals to improve the bottom line and integrate internal systems by working alongside senior management. Treasurers need to …

The possibility of global recession and falling demand are two of the big issues for treasurers to wrestle with in the coming year. LIZ SALECKA gets their views on what the New Year has in store As the New Year begins, corporate treasurers across the Middle East are preparing for a busy time ahead by ensuring that their companies have …

Transaction banking was the subject of discussion when representatives from most banks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia took part in the first ever roundtable discussion organised by Cash & Trade  The participants were: AlRajhi Bank: Badri Ali Kadhim, AGM, head of global transaction banking/financial institutions Khaled M. Al-Busayes, head of cash management and e–corporate banking  Alinma Bank: Ahmed Said …

The Middle East has a population of more than 190 million people and a combined GDP of $1.6 trillion. Its aggregate economy is larger than Russia or Brazil and has impressive growth prospects. The most prominent economic powers are the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. These six …

e-invoicing helps corporates turn their backs on time-consuming, paper-based activities, says MARCUS HUGHES, director of business development, Bottomline Technologies Corporates today are focused on optimising cash and working capital. And an increasing number of organisations are realising that this can be achieved by automating the order-to-pay process, enabling them to free up cash lost in time-consuming and inefficient, paper-based activities.

The Arab Spring challenges of 2011 have had a major impact for Middle Eastern companies trading across the region, but the future now looks positive and growth is expected to accelerate. LIZ SALECKA reports For MENA-based companies trading in countries across the region, the Arab Spring has had major implications in terms of its impact on their business activities and …

When it comes to international trade finance, the aim is to create ‘smoother sailing in rough waters’, says FRITZ vom SCHEIDT, managing director of Tricon Trade Management Trade finance originates from the financing, or investment in, the import/export of goods, and it is an essential activity in global commerce.

Continued commitment to its customers, together with greater investment and product offering, have led to BBK in Bahrain winning two prestigious awards this year. In this interview, Cash & Trade talks to Rashad Akbari, Assistant General Manager of the Transactional Banking Division  What does BBK offer the Bahraini market in terms of cash management services? We provide the valuable combination …

SMEs are having a hard time of it because of the financial crisis and credit squeeze. LIZ SALECKA looks at their problems in accessing short-term bank finance Across the Gulf States, the financial crisis and resulting credit squeeze have had major implications for mid-market companies and small-to-medium sized (SME) family-owned businesses, which have since found it much harder to access …

Optimum liquidity and working-capital management is crucial to the long and short-term success of any commercial enterprise. However, it is dependent on businesses being prepared for all eventualities. MICHAEL BURKIE discusses why corporates must plan for even the most unlikely market disruption scenarios, as well as how local and regional banks can help their corporate clients to be prepared Funding …

Although this has been a difficult year for Bahrain, its banking industry has gone to great lengths to maintain reliable and competitive service. As PAUL MELLY reports, the country has commerce weaved into its culture. Lacking the oil and gas wealth of its neighbours, save in modest quantities, Bahrain has had to build its modern prosperity through industry and, above …

In the wake of the financial crisis, companies in the Middle East are starting to look at ways to streamline their business processes. Treasurers have various tools at their disposal for building efficient liquidity management processes. However, there are challenges that need to be overcome to achieve maximum visibility and mobility of funds. Treasurers need to select cash management providers …

  New financial services upgrades are aimed at turning Doha into a major business centre. PAUL MELLY reports on theconsiderable progress being made Ambition is never lacking in Qatar. This is a country that has sought to carve out its own specialist niche in the Gulf financial market, undeterred by the competitive challenge presented by more established hubs such as …

Middle Eastern corporates’ growing demand for structured financing, coupled with pressure on local banks to compete more effectively with their global counterparts, is spearheading the adoption of modern-day, automated trade finance solutions across the region. LIZ SALECKA reports   A number of local banks are responding to their corporate customers’ needs by investing in new platforms that provideonline access to …