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The sessions address key supervisory priorities, including the implementation of Basel capital adequacy standards, the modernization of regulatory and supervisory methodologies, and the alignment of banking legislation and accounting frameworks in Arab countries with international practices. Discussions also focus on enhancing coordination and knowledge-sharing across supervisory authorities, as well as strengthening capacity-building and technical assistance programs for member states.

On this occasion, H.E. Dr. Fahad M. Alturki, Director General Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund, emphasized that the meeting serves as an important platform for exchanging experiences and enhancing coordination among Arab countries on priority issues in the field of credit information. His Excellency commended the efforts of Arab countries in strengthening the credit-information industry, noting that the sector is undergoing a transformative phase driven by technological advancement, artificial intelligence, and evolving regulatory frameworks, offering significant opportunities to enhance transparency and financial inclusion in the Arab region.

He highlighted that the share of adults accessing financing through formal channels remains below 20% in most Arab countries, while lending to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) accounts for only 8% to 22% of total credit, underscoring an urgent need to strengthen credit information exchange and to develop related products and services.

A number of international and regional institutions are participating in the meeting as observers, including the World Bank, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the Better Than Cash Alliance, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs – Financial Sector Office, and the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP).

The Task Force aims to support the development of policies, promote cooperation, and facilitate the exchange of experiences among Arab countries in the field of financial inclusion. Its areas of focus include financial consumer protection, implementation of international standards, and enhancing financial awareness and literacy.

Organized by the Arab Monetary Fund, in collaboration with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates and the World Bank, the two-day summit (17–18 November) features the participation of an elite group of Arab central bank governors and senior representatives of regional and international financial institutions. The opening session was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan; H.E. Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE; H.E. Dr. Fahad M. Alturki, Director General Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund; and Mr. Ousmane Dione, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, along with a number of distinguished dignitaries and officials from within and outside the UAE.

The summit addresses a range of priority topics, including the promotion of financial health, expansion of access to financial services, women’s economic empowerment, and financial literacy, all within the framework of ongoing efforts to build more inclusive and sustainable financial systems across the Arab region.

A total of 12 Arab exchanges recorded gains, led by the Muscat, Cairo, and Amman exchanges. In the United Arab Emirates, both the Abu Dhabi and Dubai exchanges saw an increase in performance, with Dubai recording growth between 2.35% and 3.98%, while Abu Dhabi recorded an increase of less than 1%.

In terms of liquidity, the value of trading in Arab markets rose to USD 252.2 billion, supported by a notable increase in the Egyptian and Kuwaiti exchanges. The market capitalization of Arab stock exchanges also grew by 2.16%, reaching approximately USD 4.31 trillion.

Monetary easing policies had a positive impact on the markets, as several central banks, including the Central Bank of the UAE, reduced interest rates, contributing to improved liquidity and increased investment activity. The Central Bank cut the Overnight Deposit Facility rate to 4.15%.

The programs covered a wide range of topics, including nowcasting using R software, measuring the impact of fiscal and monetary policies, financial stability, development of Arab financial markets, monetary and financial statistics, tax policy, green economy, and Islamic finance. Advanced programs were also delivered in collaboration with international institutions such as HEC Paris, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Deutsche Bundesbank, and the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF).

These programs were implemented in various formats: remote, in-person, and hybrid, reflecting the Institute’s commitment to providing high-quality training opportunities that contribute to advancing economic development across Arab countries.

The three-year cooperation agreement aims to deepen collaboration between the two institutions through joint research and events, capacity building, and staff exchanges. It also seeks to leverage their respective expertise and experience to promote knowledge sharing and dialogue.

“In times of heightened uncertainty and geoeconomic fragmentation, safeguarding macroeconomic and financial resilience in our regions is a responsibility we must shoulder with resolve,”said AMRO Director Yasuto Watanabe. “This MOU with the AMF represents an important step forward in our collaboration and underscores our shared commitment to strengthening the Global Financial Safety Net by leveraging our combined expertise.”

The Arab Monetary Fund’s composite index of Arab capital markets recorded a decline of 0.72% during August, impacted by decreases in eight Arab stock exchanges, compared to increases in six others.

In detail, the Muscat Stock Exchange led the advancing markets with a rise of 5.21%, followed by the stock exchanges of Egypt, Iraq, Casablanca, and Amman. On the other hand, the stock exchanges of Damascus, Palestine, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia experienced notable declines, with Damascus registering the largest drop of 8.84%, followed by Palestine with 5.20%.

Globally, advanced markets ended trading in August with positive performance, as the Nikkei, Dow Jones, and Standard & Poor’s indices rose between 1.91% and 4.01%, despite persistent concerns over increased U.S. tariffs on imports from the European Union, India, and Brazil.

H.E. the Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan opened the festival with a speech welcoming participants and Arab and international delegations, stressing that hosting this event reflects a national vision that Jordan is steadily moving toward consolidating its position as a regional hub for innovation in the fintech industry. His Excellency noted that the Kingdom, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, and with the support and follow-up of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, has made significant progress in developing digital payments infrastructure, enacting advanced legislation such as the Virtual Assets Law, and enhancing financial inclusion in line with global best practices.

H.E. the Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan inaugurated the workshop with welcoming remarks, emphasizing that virtual assets have become one of the most pressing global issues shaping economic and regulatory agendas. He highlighted that virtual assets are not only a fertile ground for innovation and the development of financial services but also present significant challenges and risks related to money laundering, terrorist financing, consumer protection, and financial system stability.
His Excellency noted that Jordan, under the guidance of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein and the follow-up of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, has in recent years conducted in-depth studies on this phenomenon and engaged in consultations with regional and international partners. This effort culminated in the enactment of Virtual Assets Law, which serves as the cornerstone for establishing a comprehensive, balanced, and nationally tailored legislative and regulatory framework aligned with global best practices.