Despite economic challenges, Sub-Saharan Africa shows improvement, but poverty, debt and poor infrastructure hinder growth.

The IMF cut its 2024 growth forecast for the Middle East and Central Asia region, due to geopolitical tensions, conflicts and climate-related risks.

Caribbean nations focus on financial inclusion, climate resilience and economic growth.

On the first day of Sibos 2024 in Beijing, the First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), showcased its commitment to facilitate cross-border transactions between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China. Sanjay Sethi, Head of Global Transaction Banking at the bank, asserted, “as the largest bank in the UAE, FAB is committed to supporting trade and financial cooperation between the UAE and China.

On the first day of Sibos 2024 in Beijing, the First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), showcased its commitment to facilitate cross-border transactions between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China. Sanjay Sethi, Head of Global Transaction Banking at the bank, asserted, “as the largest bank in the UAE, FAB is committed to supporting trade and financial cooperation between the UAE and China.

Emerging European economies tackle debt, inflation and digital transformation.

Economic expansion in the region likely eased in 2024, due to the downturn in China’s property sector and India’s slowdown.

As 2025 approaches, the banking sector in Japan is navigating a period of economic stagnation and transformation.

The banking sectors in Europe and the UK are approaching 2025 with a cautious sense of optimism, buoyed by stabilising inflation and modest economic recovery.

The banking sectors in the US and Canada are bracing for a year of economic moderation, regulatory shifts and evolving consumer behaviour.

Corporate treasurers and chief financial officers from multinational corporations and large enterprises share their outlook on the global and regional economies for 2025, as well as strategies to adapt to evolving market conditions

Baiduri Bank CEO Ti Eng Hui shared how innovation, resilience and community engagement have driven the bank’s growth as it celebrates 30 years of empowering Brunei’s economy.

At Sibos 2024, discussions within the financial technology solution community focused on the adoption of ISO 20022, the growing integration of AI and ML and the imperative to align advancements with customer-centricity and operational resilience.

Global financial leaders gathered at Sibos 2024 in Beijing to discuss the future of payments, compliance and inclusion. From ISO 20022 to artificial intelligence, the event showcased how innovation and collaboration are driving the transformation of global finance.

Rachel Whelan, head of corporate cash management for APAC and MEA, and global head of payments and transactional foreign exchange, and Oliver von Quadt, global head of merchant solutions at Deutsche Bank, emphasised how the bank’s merchant solutions and strategic partnership with DataMesh enable merchants to consolidate fragmented payment streams and simplify cross-border business transactions.