logo
KIB hosts a panel discussion titled ‘Financing and Mortgages: Opportunities and Challenges'

KIB hosts a panel discussion titled ‘Financing and Mortgages: Opportunities and Challenges'

Al Bawaba16 hours ago

Kuwait International Bank (KIB), represented by its Real Estate Department, held a panel discussion titled 'Financing and Mortgages: Opportunities and Challenges' in collaboration with the Department of Finance and Financial Institutions at the College of Business Administration, Kuwait University.The panel, held recently as part of the ongoing collaboration between KIB and the College of Business Administration at Kuwait University, was moderated by Dr. Saad Al-Nahedh, Assistant Professor of Finance at the College. It featured Engineer Fahad Al Saleh, Manager of the Real Estate Advisory Division and the Product Development and Support Division (PDSD) at KIB's Real Estate Department, and Mr. Ibrahim Adeeb Al-Awadi, Chairman of the Real Estate Union and CEO of Aayan Real Estate Company.In this regard, Al Saleh reaffirmed KIB's commitment to strengthening its collaboration with Kuwait University, driven by its belief in the importance of promoting knowledge and equipping students with practical experience. He emphasized that this reflects the Bank's dedication to social responsibility and its leading role in the banking sector. Al Saleh also noted that such collaboration bridges academic studies with real-world application and plays a key role in empowering and preparing young people to enter the job market with confidence and competence.The panel explored the key challenges facing real estate financing in Kuwait, with a focus on the differences between residential and commercial financing in terms of repayment periods and profit rates. It emphasized the need for innovative financing solutions that can ease the financial burden on citizens, particularly youth.Speakers also discussed the potential role of the proposed mortgage law in regulating the market and enhancing access to private residential plots. In addition, they highlighted ongoing public and private sector efforts, most notably by the Public Authority for Housing Welfare, to develop housing cities comprising more than 170,000 residential units. The panel also addressed the importance of establishing a regulatory framework for mortgage financing and advancing real estate developer projects to help balance supply and demand in the housing market, ultimately aiming to address Kuwait's broader housing challenges.Underscoring the vital role of real estate developers in revitalizing the market by offering integrated property solutions that meet citizens' needs, the panel also emphasized the importance of enhancing public-private partnerships to advance legislation and regulatory frameworks that support a sustainable financing environment.The panel saw strong engagement from students and faculty members, who enriched the discussion with thoughtful questions about the future of the real estate sector in light of ongoing economic developments.
It is worth noting that this initiative reflects the shared commitment of KIB and Kuwait University to social responsibility by advancing education, promoting knowledge, and supporting government efforts to provide comprehensive housing solutions, contributing to sustainability and enhancing community well-being in Kuwait.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

KIB signs strategic partnership with IE Business School under Waed program
KIB signs strategic partnership with IE Business School under Waed program

Al Bawaba

time10 hours ago

  • Al Bawaba

KIB signs strategic partnership with IE Business School under Waed program

Kuwait International Bank (KIB) announced the signing of a strategic partnership with IE Business School to provide mid-level management employees with year-round training. The initiative reflects KIB's strong commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning, strengthening the skills of national talent, and empowering the next generation of leaders. The official signing ceremony was held at the Bank's headquarters, attended by senior representatives from both organizations, including Feras Al-Darmi, General Manager of the Human Resources Department at KIB, and William Davila, Global Head of Corporate Relations at IE new collaboration is part of KIB's Waed talent program, which aims to develop Kuwaiti talent across all levels of the Bank. Under this program, a select group of Kuwaiti employees from various departments are chosen to enhance their skills and prepare for effective leadership roles. This comprehensive approach reflects KIB's ongoing commitment to talent development and its dedication to driving positive, sustainable change within the Business School, a globally renowned institution and part of Spain's IE University, was founded in 1973 in Madrid. It is recognized as one of Europe's leading business schools and was ranked among the top 10 in its field in Europe by the Financial Times in on the partnership, Al-Darmi said: 'Our collaboration with IE Business School aligns with KIB's comprehensive strategy to develop employee competencies and skills across all areas of Islamic banking. Investing in the training, education, and development of our talent plays a vital role in elevating the quality of service we provide to our customers and strengthening the Bank's overall performance within Kuwait's banking sector. Empowering our people with knowledge and skills is a key pillar in driving our continued success and achieving our long-term objectives.'He added: 'The carefully designed Waed program aims to enhance the capabilities of national professional talent by equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to lead effectively with confidence in an industry undergoing rapid change and development. Strategic partnerships such as this one further support the goals of the Waed program, representing a direct investment in Kuwaiti human capital and focusing on preparing leaders who are adaptable, resilient, and innovative.'Al-Darmi emphasized that the partnership with IE Business School, renowned for its deep expertise and advanced programs, adds momentum to KIB's education and development initiatives and aligns seamlessly with the Bank's global outlook, spirit of entrepreneurship, and leadership approach centered on personal and professional growth. He further noted that this collaboration reflects a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and continuous learning, stressing that 'the knowledge and expertise offered by IE Business School, combined with its innovative teaching methods, will be pivotal to the success of the Waed program and in achieving its ambitious objectives.' It is worth noting that KIB remains firmly committed to investing in the future of Kuwait's banking sector and strengthening its position under its main slogan 'Bank for Life' through strategic partnerships with leading institutions in education and development. Through the development of Kuwaiti talent, the Bank aims to ensure its workforce is fully equipped to meet the evolving demands of the banking sector and to contribute effectively to the realization of Kuwait's economic vision. KIB also places strong emphasis on building a highly skilled, innovative, and forward-thinking team capable of driving economic growth and contributing to the country's ongoing development.

Markaz Exited over USD100 million of Industrial Real Estate Projects in the US and Europe over the past few months
Markaz Exited over USD100 million of Industrial Real Estate Projects in the US and Europe over the past few months

Al Bawaba

time15 hours ago

  • Al Bawaba

Markaz Exited over USD100 million of Industrial Real Estate Projects in the US and Europe over the past few months

Kuwait Financial Centre "Markaz" has announced the recent exit of several industrial real estate projects in the United States and Europe over the past few months. Executed by its International Real Estate team, in partnership with global players like Panattoni and Scannell Properties, the transactions marked successful exits across key global markets, reinforcing Markaz's position as a trusted investment partner and a prominent leader in the international real estate sector. Collectively, these projects represent over USD 100 million in asset value and reflect Markaz's extensive experience in structuring real estate investments across both development and credit strategies. The exited projects include industrial developments in Europe and the US, and a mezzanine financing investment for an Industrial Portfolio with Scannell Properties in the US. Each investment was selected and executed following rigorous research and market analysis, guided by macroeconomic trends and local market dynamics, with a strong emphasis on safeguarding client interests and delivering stable, long-term returns. Despite significant economic headwinds and global real estate market repricing, the returns on investment reflect Markaz's deep research capabilities, disciplined investment strategy, and ability to navigate volatility while protecting and growing investor capital. The exited projects highlight Markaz's active role in both real estate development and structured credit on this achievement, Sami Shabshab, Managing Director, International Real Estate at Markaz, said: 'These strategic exits highlight our disciplined investment approach, centered on resilience and long-term fundamentals throughout market cycles. Our recent focus on the industrial sector, driven by sustained demand for logistics and warehousing, has delivered stability and growth despite global uncertainties. We carefully timed these exits to align with market conditions, preserving and enhancing investor value in a complex environment. Our execution capabilities are supported by strong collaborations with international well-established partners, which are essential for effective risk management and project delivery. This combination of sector focus, market insight, and operational collaboration underscores Markaz's commitment to delivering sustainable and resilient returns for our clients.' Abdullatif Al-Nusif, Managing Director, Wealth Management and Business Development at Markaz, added: "At Markaz, our clients' interests remain at the forefront of every decision we make. The recent exits underscore the strength of our international real estate team in executing complex strategies and identifying strategic opportunities. Building on a 50-year legacy of market insight and disciplined investment strategies, we continue to focus on constructing resilient portfolios that are designed to withstand evolving conditions and deliver sustainable performance. Through selective exposure to high-conviction sectors and proactive asset management, Markaz remains committed to supporting our clients in achieving their financial goals with confidence and clarity.' Markaz has been an active investor in the US real estate market since 1977 and continues to execute its international real estate investments in the market through Mar-Gulf Management, its international real estate arm, since 1988. Over the past 37 years, Markaz has participated in the acquisition, development, and management of assets across the industrial, storage, retail, residential, and office segments. Looking ahead, Markaz remains dedicated to adopting a selective, forward-looking investment strategy, focusing on development and value-add opportunities within the industrial and living sectors, while expanding its real estate credit services. Additionally, Markaz will continue to prioritize senior debt and mezzanine structures to optimize capital efficiency and diversify return streams. With expectations of improving credit conditions and a potentially more favorable interest rate environment in 2025, Markaz aims to position its portfolio for long-term growth. This strategy will emphasize partnerships with high-quality partners and target high-demand markets, ensuring resilient and sustainable performance. As it marks 50 years of pioneering investment excellence, Markaz remains committed to creating long-term value for its clients through global insight, innovative strategies, and a foundation of trust and performance.

Ajman Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation and Ajman Bank Sign Strategic MoU to Enhance Financial Integration
Ajman Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation and Ajman Bank Sign Strategic MoU to Enhance Financial Integration

Al Bawaba

time16 hours ago

  • Al Bawaba

Ajman Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation and Ajman Bank Sign Strategic MoU to Enhance Financial Integration

The Ajman Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ajman Bank, marking a new chapter of collaboration aimed at advancing financial integration and enhancing banking services through innovative and digital-first agreement was signed by H.E. Eng. Omar bin Omair Al Muhairi, Director General of the Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation, and H.E. Mustafa Al Khalfawi, Chief Executive Officer of Ajman on the signing, H.E. Eng. Omar bin Omair Al Muhairi stated: 'This strategic partnership with Ajman Bank reflects our commitment to advancing the department's digital capabilities and streamlining financial performance. Ajman Bank plays a vital role in supporting our ongoing efforts to build an agile, tech-enabled regulatory environment that responds effectively to the needs of real estate developers and investors.'He further added that through this collaboration, the department will gain access to comprehensive, periodic reports on escrow accounts, enabling greater oversight of real estate development performance. The partnership also paves the way for more seamless financial transactions across stakeholder groups, reducing procedural complexity and delivering future-ready services grounded in speed, privacy, and operational excellence.H.E. Mustafa Al Khalfawi, CEO of Ajman Bank, commented: 'At Ajman Bank, we believe in the power of institutional collaboration to elevate the quality of financial services. This agreement reflects our shared vision of trust, integration, and efficiency, and supports Ajman's positioning as a competitive and investment-friendly emirate.' This partnership serves as a model for effective synergy between regulatory bodies and the financial sector, setting the stage for a more stable, transparent, and investor-centric real estate ecosystem in Ajman.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store