Clifford Chance

As part of our recent International Festival of Fintech we hosted a panel of experts covering key fintech developments for businesses operating in or considering expanding into the Middle East, focusing on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia (KSA). The panellists discussed market developments and the regulatory landscape across key fintech areas including digital assets, payments and CBDCs.

Topics discussed include:

• Key drivers for development of fintech industry in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, including payment services, digital assets and central bank digital currency (CBDC) developments.
• Legal and regulatory developments in the region, including licensing requirements and challenges faced by local and international players.
• Market perspectives on growth trends in the fintech space, including projections for digital asset projects in the region.
• Consideration of the impact that different technology developments (such as blockchain/DLT, AI, and mobile payments) are having on the Middle Eastern fintech landscape.

Speakers:

• Nahim Bassa, SVP: Group Head of Strategy & Transformation, Bank Aljazira
• Bryan D'Souza, Head of Business Development for Middle East, R3
• Jack Hardman, Partner, Clifford Chance
• Sahel Mughal, Partner, AS&H Clifford Chance
• Kimberly Ng, Senior Associate, Clifford Chance