Exploring GCC's Banking Growth Opportunities at the Middle East Banking Innovation Summit

Dubai, September 8, 2015: The 5th Annual Middle East Banking Innovation Summit 2015 is one of the region’s largest banking technology summit, which is all set to take place next week in Dubai. The summit has been boosted by Visa as a Title Sponsor. Featuring some of the most influential and notable minds in the banking and technology industries globally, the summit will explore how the region is leading the evolution of banking. In all, over 450 delegates will be gathered on 14 -15 September 2015 to identify opportunities, develop strategies and learn how to tackle the challenges in this domain.

Marcello Baricordi, General Manager UAE and Global Accounts Lead Visa MENA, said, “The financial system is at an interesting crossroads today, as traditional banking is expanding across multiple levels of engagement. At Visa, we understand that innovation is at the core of this evolution, which is why we are focused on providing our financial clients with the tools to understand and adopt new technologies that enable innovation and a progressive banking environment. We are pleased to partner with the Middle East Banking Innovation Summit this year and look forward to gaining and sharing insights into how the banking sector can navigate through these changes and further our goals for advancing groundbreaking innovation in the industry.”

An eclectic mix of topics pertinent to the banking industry are in the Middle East Banking Innovation Summit’s session line up this year. Over the course of two days, the summit will feature presentations and panel discussions from over 30 industry experts who will focus on some of the latest technological innovations that is set to revolutionize the banking industry and will offer a perspective on the trends and developments witnessed in this industry. The summit also presents two interactive discussions by a panel of experts on the future of the payments industry.

Ahead of the Summit, Mr. Brad Hariharan, Regional Director, Expotrade Middle East, said, “The Middle East banking industry is evolving tremendously and in the face of such transformation, our summit will be a platform for regional and international heavyweights to address challenges and showcase the latest innovations that will boost the banking industry in the region.”

In addition to Schneider Electric and IBM as Diamond and Platinum sponsor respectively, the summit has more than 40 sponsors and exhibitors who will be showcasing a range of innovative solutions designed to help the banking industry and significantly improve efficiencies at the Innovation Lounge.

Ziad Youssef, IT Business VP – UAE, Gulf Countries, Schneider Electric, said, “One of our focus areas is to build a strong network in the banking sector and we believe that for Schneider Electric, a company committed to developing sustainable energy management solutions, this forum is the perfect opportunity for us to share our knowledge, product offering and solutions. Today, every organization no matter how well established, is searching for better ways of optimizing their resources and how they can transform their Data Centre infrastructure to a more smart, responsive infrastructure - one that they can relate to, communicate with and grow with minimal expenditure. As Schneider Electric, we propose not to alter an organization’s entire Data Centers, but to provide extremely convenient solutions that boost productivity and reduce operating, capital and maintenance expenditures over a period of time.”

The summit hopes to accomplish how technology has played an instrumental role in changing the banking landscape in the region.

Mr. Naveed Minhas, Banking Industry Leader MEA and Turkey, Global Business Services, IBM opined, “As we know it, banking is at the tip of a digital disruption and transformation. Digital has the potential to create value and if not done well, even destroy value. How does a bank embrace digital in a manner that maximises value and deliver meaningful customer experiences? I am looking forward to meeting the attendees at the conference, listening to their challenges and sharing our point of view on how a Digital studio can address the region's Digital Banking agenda.”

Global conference producers, Expotrade organize the two-day Middle East Banking Innovation Summit that will be held on 14th and 15th September 2015 at Sofitel, The Palm Resort & Spa, Dubai.