Technology could transform the GCC’s banking sector into a global force in the coming years, according to experts set to speak at a special session of The Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference, which takes place this week.
During the 7 May discussion “Using Technology for Greater Effectiveness”, panellists will analyse how technology is providing new employment opportunities and productivity boosts for financial institutions in the Kingdom and the wider region.
In particularly, the rising importance of new fields – such as data-based risk management and “big data” – along with the need to incorporate more efficient processes are driving investment in technology across the industry.
Panellists at the session include senior executives from leading banks and technology providers,including Ibrahim Al-Rashid, Chief Information Officer of Al Rajhi Bank, and Peter Yarrington, Chief Operating Officer, NCB; Dr. Tariq Enaya, Managing Director, Cisco Systems Saudi Arabia, and Alberto Zucchinali, EMEA DC Solutions and Services Manager, Siemon.
The session has been organised at the request of conference attendees, as more and more CEOs engage with the importance of technology in finance. It will be the first time that The Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference has hosted a dedicated discussion on banking and finance technology.
The financial services sector is set to be one of top four investors in technology in the Middle East in 2014, according to research group IDC, along with consumers, the public sector, and the communications industry. Collectively, these sectors will be responsible for nearly 74% of the Middle East’s total IT expenditure during the year.
“Using Technology for Greater Effectiveness” will take place panel will take on Wednesday 7 May during The Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference.
Co-hosted with the Saudi Ministry of Finance, the ninth Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference will be held from 6-7 May 2014 under the theme of “Innovation, Competition, and the Changing Dynamics of Globalisation”.
The Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference is the longest-running, largest and most influential financial conference in the Kingdom. For more information on the Conference, visit www.euromoneyconference.com/saudi.html