Under the auspices of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammad Al Ahmad Al Sabah, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), in cooperation with the GCC Secretariat General and the Central Bank of Kuwait, is hosting the 8th GCC Banking Conference, entitled "Managing Growth and Risk in an Era of Openness" to be held at the Sheraton Hotel, Kuwait from 22 to 23 May, 2007.
Underscoring the contents and functions of this important regional gathering, Mr. Mohammed Abdulrahman Al- Bahar said that it was a source of honor and privilege for NBK to host and organize such an auspicious banking conference, adding that participants at this high level regional meeting include the GCC Central Banks' governors, delegates representing major regional and international banks and financial institutions as well as all stakeholders and experts interested in the development of the banking and finance industry in the region.
"The objectives of the two-day 8th GCC banking Conference will focus on highlighting the key challenges, opportunities and constraints related to the GCC banking industry, in addition to challenges for the GCC Equity Markets and the economic developments and outlook for the GCC countries, as well as the impact of Basel II compliance on the GCC banking sector." Al-Bahar concluded
NBK stands out in Kuwait and among Arab banks in terms of its local and international network, which includes branches, subsidiaries and representative offices in New York, London, Paris, Geneva, Lebanon, Amman, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq, UAE, Singapore, Vietnam and Shanghai, with other ambitious plans for regional and global expansion. NBK reported profits of USD 222 million for the first quarter of 2007, among the highest in the Arab world.
