Deepak Ahuja

National Bank of Fujairah has chosen Intellect Global Transaction Banking | iGTB's eMACH.ai to to enhance its digital capabilities 📲 🏦 🏢 NBF currently serves corporates and SMEs through its network in the UAE, and provides financial services to optimise commercial opportunities AND achieve sustainable growth for their clients. 🇦🇪 ☁ This partnership ALSO marks iGTB's FIRST cloud-managed service in this region and NBF can offer their clients a COMPREHENSIVE suite of solutions 👨‍💻 Manish Maakan, CEO of iGTB commented, “By selecting Intellect Global Transaction Banking, NBF has chosen a strategic technology partner that offers scalability, operational efficiency, and the ability to grow alongside their business. NBF’s commitment to advancing its transaction banking infrastructure reflects the critical role of technology to drive growth and innovation in Commercial Banking.” He added, “This is our first deal to be hosted on eMACH.ai Cloud managed services in the region and is a significant step in UAE’s digital transaction banking landscape. Today, over 60% of the world’s best transaction banks #winwithiGTB and this deal signifies a pivotal step in cementing iGTB’s leadership position within the UAE & GCC market, underscoring our dedication to offering leading-edge digital banking solutions.” Read more on the link below 👇 Uppili Srinivasan Prashant Lalchandani Sachin Salian Shishir J. Amit Gupta Razia Ahmed Rajesh Saxena Nachu Nagappan #UAE #igtb #transactionbanking #digitalbanking #commercialbanking #GCC #cloudbanking #fintech #managedcloud

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While reading up on Digital Nano Lending/ Fintech, I came across an interesting article: "Piecing Together the Shariah Compliance of BNPL." The article, by Shaikh Dr. Khalid Al Muzaini, explains how Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) schemes work with Shariah principles. BNPL providers act as marketing intermediaries for merchants and as commission agents for customers. They earn a discount from the merchant while customers pay in installments. Some Shariah scholars criticize BNPL, arguing it resembles interest-based loans. However, Dr. Al Muzaini counters these criticisms by explaining that BNPL providers don't charge customers directly, maintain distinct contracts, and adhere to Shariah principles. The article concludes that BNPL is permissible under Shariah, offering a clear defense against criticisms and showcasing its compliance with Islamic finance rules. This analysis helps in understanding and accepting BNPL as a modern financial tool. #BNPL #fintech #shariah #digitallending

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Commercial Bank International partners with areeba to advance FinTech payments in the UAE Commercial Bank International (#CBI) has announced a strategic #partnership with areeba, a global #payment #infrastructure provider in the #UAE. The partnership aims to empower #FinTechs with #scalable, #securecard #management capabilities and accelerate the growth of the country’s #digital payment ecosystem. With the UAE already accounting for 46% of FinTech #startups in the #MENA region, the agreement aims to further support the growth of the local FinTech landscape by enabling businesses to adopt innovative solutions. Source: IBS Intelligence

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Oman’s banking sector posts strong lending growth in Q3 MUSCAT: Oman’s banking sector showcased commendable growth in lending during Q3, 2024, reflecting the nation’s economic stability and resilience amidst the broader GCC financial landscape. In a report by Kamco Invest, listed banks in Oman reported a 3.6% quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) increase in lending, positioning the country as one of the top performers in the region, second only to Saudi Arabia. Oman’s loan-to-deposit ratio remained healthy at 86.7%, indicating a balanced approach to credit expansion. This figure is slightly lower than Qatar’s 89.1% but higher than the UAE’s 69.3%. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dF-n5Vhd Central Bank of Oman Ministry Of Economy Oman Ministry of Finance - Oman Kamco Invest #BankingSector #GCC #LendingGrowth #Loans #CreditExpansion #Oman #OmanBiz

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This week, the focus is on corporate earnings across the GCC, with results rolling in from companies such as Aamal Company QPSC, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, National Medical Care, Commercial Bank of Dubai, DOHA BANK, Dlala Brokerage & Investment Holding, Mannai Corporation QPSC, NAKILAT, and @Vodafone Qatar. Earnings calls are scheduled for ahlibank, Boubyan Bank, National Medical Care, Medicare, and others. Meanwhile, global attention will turn to China’s rate decision and the release of the Beige Book in the US, both of which could impact market sentiment. UK banks Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, and Barclays will also report earnings, providing key insights into the health of the banking sector. #GCCMarkets #InvestorRelations #CEOs #CFOS #Earnings #MEIRA

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The Khalifa Fund Entrepreneurship Competition is a premier platform for spotlighting and supporting innovative startups across Abu Dhabi priority sectors. This competition offers startups an opportunity to showcase impactful solutions that address critical challenges and drive sustainable growth. By participating, startups can gain access to resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help accelerate their growth and establish a strong presence in Abu Dhabi’s dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. Objective: To empower innovative startups by fostering solutions that address key industry challenges while supporting their growth and scalability. This competition aims to attract visionary entrepreneurs ready to make a measurable impact, positioning Abu Dhabi as a launchpad for future-ready innovations. Competition Sectors: Biolife & Healthcare: Innovative solutions focused on advancing healthcare, medical devices, diagnostics, and patient care. Robotics & AI: Technology-driven innovations in robotics and AI, aiming to improve industries and daily life. Agritech & Aquatech: Sustainable approaches to agriculture, food production, and ecosystem management. For more on this 👇👇 https://lnkd.in/eVNh5tnF #entrepreneur #pitchdeck #khalifafund #startupcompetition #urbizassist

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🎤 Honored to have been a keynote speaker at the inaugural #FinTech Summit in KSA, hosted by 24 Fintech where I shared insights on the evolving investment landscape and the state of FinTech in the GCC region 🌍. It was a pleasure meeting Nezar Alhaidar and catching up with Karim Samakie and Sagar R Shah. Congrats on the event! 💼 Key insights I shared in the key note: 1️⃣ Global Trends: While global venture funding continues to slow down, AI funding hit an all-time high in Q2’24, reflecting the growing focus on cutting-edge technology. However, the surge in startup shutdowns – up by 58% in Q1'24 – is a concerning trend. 2️⃣ MENA’s FinTech Scene: Despite a slight dip in funding (-34% YoY), the region remains resilient, with steady investments in mid-sized deals ($1M-$5M). The UAE continues to lead, while Saudi Arabia saw an impressive 391% rise in funding, driven by major deals. 3️⃣ Taking a 5 year aggregated view of 2019 to 2023, interesting to note that #KSA and #UAE each accounted for 33% of all FinTech funding which totaled $3.2BN in MENA while the UAE accounted for 37% of all deal flow. 4️⃣ Sector Highlights: FinTech remains a dominant force in the region, securing the 2nd highest funding after E-commerce/Retail. The Payment Solutions sub-sector leads with a 44% share of FinTech funding. 🔮 Looking ahead, the MENA FinTech sector shows great promise, with local and international investors contributing to 65% of all capital deployed. Grateful to be part of the conversation shaping the future of FinTech in the region! 🙌 Big thanks to Tahaluf and Fintech Saudi | فنتك السعودية for the opportunity! Dive deeper into our EVM report, benchmarking key markets: https://lnkd.in/dnuwpdWV Did you attend 24 Fintech? What were your key takeaways? Share them below 👇 #FinTech #MENA #Investments #Innovation #FutureofFinance #GCC #FinTechInsights

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Had a wonderful conversation with RJ Muriel D'sa on Talk 100.3 Dubai about my journey with Rukam Capital. From starting up as an ‘accidental VC’ to raising our first fund and supporting visionary founders, it’s been a fulfilling journey, to say the least. We talked about the basics of venture capital, the importance of trusting founders, and how empowering startups is at the heart of what we do. The founders we work with take the risks, spot the opportunities, and make our job exciting every day. #WomenInVC #StartupJourney #EmpoweringFounders #RukamCapital

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Lulu Retail to Offer 25% Stake in IPO on ADX. Lulu Retail Holdings, a retail giant in the GCC region, as they announce plans to float 25% of the company on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). This IPO is expected to draw significant attention across the region. 🔹 IPO Details: 2.58 billion shares will be offered from Oct. 28 to Nov. 5, with the final price to be set on Nov. 6. 🔹 Lulu’s Market Presence: Operating 240 stores across 6 countries, Lulu has solidified its market dominance, including 103 stores in the UAE alone. 🔹 Strategic Growth: Lulu’s Chairman, Yusuff Ali, highlights the importance of GCC nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE in driving demographic trends and economic growth. 🔹 Saudi Expansion: Lulu is further expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia with new hypermarkets in Makkah and Madinah, contributing to the $100 billion retail market opportunity in the GCC over the next 5 years. 🔹 A Promising Investment: With a 75% dividend payout strategy and a focus on growth through operational efficiencies, store expansion, and private label offerings, Lulu is positioning itself for long-term success. Why This Matters: As an entrepreneur focused on strategic partnerships and investor advisory in KSA, this IPO presents a unique opportunity for business matchmaking, M&A facilitation, and tapping into the retail growth surge in Saudi Arabia. It’s time to explore partnerships that align with this retail giant’s vision and expansion in the Kingdom. #LuluRetail #IPO #RetailGrowth #ADX #SaudiVision2030 #SaudiBusiness #InvestmentOpportunity #FDI #InvestorAdvisory #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessStrategy #GCCMarkets #Shan

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𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆—𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁. Each sector, whether it's fintech, edtech, or any other, comes with its own playbook. The real question is: 𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀, 𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺? Is the industry stuck in its ways, and are you building to challenge the norms? What was that unique insight or problem that inspired you to start your venture in the first place? These questions have always intrigued me, and they led me to launch a podcast series. The first industry I’m diving into is 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵, because it sits at the heart of nearly every tech-driven industry—𝗲-𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀, 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵, 𝘁𝗮𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗲𝗱𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵, 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱. For the first episode, I’m excited to be joined by Saad Niazi, Co-founder and CEO of Keenu I’ve known him for over two decades, who is building a massive payments company in Pakistan. 🚀 Watch the episode for some incredible insights into the world of fintech and entrepreneurship.

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Commercial Bank International (CBI) has entered into a strategic partnership with areeba, becoming the first UAE-based lender to offer areeba's comprehensive card and payment solutions to fintechs across the country. This collaboration marks a great step forward in the UAE's rapidly evolving digital payments landscape. Through this partnership, CBI will leverage areeba's advanced payment platform to provide fintechs with scalable, secure and efficient solutions for launching and managing digital payment products. The initiative is designed to provide UAE-based fintechs with robust card management capabilities, accelerating the growth of the country's digital payments ecosystem. This development is in line with the growing fintech sector in the UAE, where assets under management (AUM) are expected to reach $5.70 billion by 2029. (Image by Areeba) #FinTech #DigitalPayments #Innovation #UAE #CardSolutions #Partnerships

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In a recent newspaper article spotlighting Indian Microfinance Sector as a massive investment opportunity for UAE investors, MFIN CEO & Director, Dr. Alok Misra envisions “to educate investors in the UAE about the opportunities inherent in India, emphasizing the dual benefit of financial returns and social impact that investing in micro-finance offers.” The article emphasizes that by tapping into the microfinance sector in India, the UAE investors have a unique opportunity to diversify their portfolios. “With total micro-finance loan portfolio amounting to $50 billion and an outreach extending to 7.5 crore low-income women, India’s micro-finance sector has emerged as a pivotal force in fostering financial inclusion and empowering women in the country”, reiterates Dr. Misra. This way, investors can expect both attractive returns and meaningful contributions to societal development. Check out the full coverage at: https://lnkd.in/gS3ExbPF #Microfinance #InvestmentOpportunity #UAEInvestors #IndianEconomy #FinancialInclusion #EconomicGrowth #ImpactInvesting

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Are #secondaries the solution to #MENA's Exits? In a recent conversation with Basil M. from Key Capital, we discussed the emerging potential for IPOs, secondaries and exits in the market. Secondary funds, which target shares in early stage investment rounds at a discount, can stimulate market participation by providing liquidity to existing shareholders without diluting company equity. These investments enable early investors to exit, allowing founders to clean up their cap table and receive a potential fresh injection of capital. Of course, the secondaries market in the #MENA region is still emerging, but given the global increase in secondary investments, perhaps it’s not too long before it becomes more commonplace in the region. Check out my full conversation with Basil M. for more MAGNiTT insights: https://lnkd.in/gT5X5Q7D PS: Great recent pod from the Unreasonable Podcast discussing just this and the impact in the South East Asian Venture space. Well worth a lisen! CC: Hian Goh, Vishal Harnal and Michael Blakey #webinar #exits #IPOs #venturecapital #startups

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It’s my pleasure to get featured in Khaleej Times via my column “Mind Your Money” “Navigating the current global economic uncertainty“ This article sheds light on various variables of investment decision making, and the complexity of making actionable sense of data and information releases. The key moving parts include : 1. Global Economic Outlook🌐 2. Data driven Central Bank Policies 🏦 3. Political Instability 🏛️ 4. Challenges for individuals in saving and investing 💸 Above all, role of a “Trusted Financial Advisor” 🕴️in helping you achieve your financial goals 🎯 Click the link to read the full article : https://lnkd.in/dygeaHnr Habib Investment Limited #wealthmanagement #privatebanking #globaleconomicoutlook #investmentadvisory

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Qardy Secures 7-Figure Pre-Seed Round to Transform Lending Marketplace in MENA, Backed by Key Investors  Read more: https://lnkd.in/dgN2Gx9i #Qardy #funding #fundraising #LendingMarketplace #MENA #Fintech #Investment #BusinessGrowth #Innovation #finance #fintech #FinancialIT Abdelaziz Abdel Nabi, Asser Yehia

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https://lnkd.in/d3b_KeZe "“Globally and regionally, the banking sector has an unfavourable relationship with early-stage startups,” said Racha Ghamlouch, co-founder of Digital Digest, a UAE-based digital economy news and market intelligence aggregator. “But we are seeing more debt-funds and venture debt funds investing in growth stage deals, which is filling that gap for later stage companies.” Where banks may be falling short, entrepreneurs are turning to the private credit market to meet their funding needs. Omar Al Yawer, senior executive at Abu Dhabi-based Ruya Partners, who was speaking on the sidelines of the Alternative Investment Management Summit in Dubai this week, said: “The reality is the Middle East has such a big funding gap that exists because the banks are only lending to the big family groups and government backed projects. “So the middle market’s been really left to grow at a turtle-like pace,” he said."

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