National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) PJSC hosted its fourth annual NBF Knowledge Series, bringing together over 700 UAE business leaders and analysts to a series of one-day networking sessions across Fujairah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Titled “Thinking Ahead”, this knowledge exchange platform focused on helping customers navigate the rapidly-changing business environment. In this ever-evolving business climate, discussions around pertinent issues and trends for businesses in the UAE are crucial to help business owners identify potential opportunities and address challenges before they arise.
This year’s line-up of speakers provided expert coverage of the key issues weighing on the minds of business owners and shaping their businesses today namely, the regional and global macroeconomic outlook, China’s ’Belt and Road Initiative’, top technology trends, in addition to presenting them with key updates on the legal outlook.
Commenting on this year’s Knowledge Series, Vince Cook, CEO of NBF said: “We are proud to be extending the Knowledge Series event to its fourth year, bringing in new market insights to support our clients in dealing with the trending topics of the day. At NBF, we have always approached our client relationships from a partnership lens that looks beyond just the transactional process, behaving as something more than just a bank. This mindset allows us to accompany our clients on their journey towards success and support them as a dedicated partner through market fluctuations. Moving forward, we will continue to host such platforms and other means to help strengthen our clients’ capabilities and to ensure they are in a great position to face what comes their way.”
Macroeconomic realities topped the discussion agenda considering the changes taking place across the globe. The session further delved into the market outlook in 2019 and its key driving factors such as U.S economic data and FED policy, Brexit and the European slowdown, China/EU trade agreements and the potential impact on regional affairs.
With digital business transformation becoming today’s reality, a dedicated session reflected on the top technological trends that are impacting business today including Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Technology.
With the ’Belt Road Initiative’ being the center of the discussion, experts delved into the vast opportunities that it brings to the region and what that means in the business world. Commenting on the regional landscape, the conversation highlighted the big role that the UAE will play in the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI), given its strategic trade hub and its strong ties with China. The session also took the clients through challenges that they will face when they leverage the benefits of ‘BRI’ and the role banks can play to help them navigate through these obstacles.
Sharing his opening remarks on this year’s edition, Vikram Pradhan, Head of NBF’s Corporate & Institutional Banking division, said: “The NBF Knowledge Series has always been an extension of our partnership-focused approach, and is especially relevant in this market environment, where closer cooperation and communication between lenders and businesses are crucial for deepening the trust required for sailing through these challenging times together. Testament to the success of this series, we will continue to host these valuable knowledge-sharing platforms to equip our clientele with the market knowledge to navigate through any changes to the environment that may come their way.”
About National Bank of Fujairah PJSC:
Incorporated in 1982, National Bank of Fujairah PJSC (NBF) is a full services corporate bank with strong corporate and commercial banking, treasury and trade finance expertise as well as an expanding suite of personal banking options and Shari’a compliant services. Leveraging its deep banking experience and market insight within Fujairah and the UAE, NBF is well-positioned to build lasting relationships with its clients and help them achieve their business goals.
NBF’s key shareholders include the Government of Fujairah, Easa Saleh Al Gurg LLC and Investment Corporation of Dubai. Rated Baa1/Prime-2 for deposits and A3 for counterparty risk assessment by Moody’s and BBB+/A-2 by Standard & Poor’s, both with a stable outlook, the bank is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange under the symbol “NBF”. It has a branch network of 18 (of which 1 is an electronic banking service unit) across the UAE.