The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the UAE Banks Federation (UBF), organised the Annual UAE Banks Reception 2026 recentl in Bangkok, Thailand, on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG), with the participation and sponsorship of 26 government entities and banking and financial institutions from the UAE.
The reception was attended by H.E. Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE; H.E. Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; and H.E. Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al Ghurair, Chairman of the UAE Banks Federation, In the presence of H.E. Obaid bin Taresh Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand; Their Excellencies the Assistant Governors of the CBUAE; H.E. Younis Haji Al Khoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance; H.E. Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development; and H.E. Essa Kazim is the Governor of Dubai International Financial Centre, alongside members of the official UAE delegation participating in the Annual Meetings, and CEOs of UAE banks.”
The UAE Banks Reception witnessed a high-level international attendance that included central bank governors and finance ministers. Foremost among them were H.E. Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Minister of Finance of Qatari; H.E. Dr. Dr. Yaqoub Al Rifai, Minister of Finance of Kuwait; H.E. Basel Al-Haroon, Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait; H.E. Dr. Mohammad Safwat Abdul Hamid Raslan, Governor of the Central Bank of Syria; H.E. Yahya Shunnar, Governor of the Palestine Monetary Authority; H.E Khalil Yaqoob Al Khayat, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Kingdom of Thailand; and Mr. Muhanna Ali Al Kuwari, Assistant Governor of the Qatar Central Bank for the Reserve and Financial Instruments Sector. Additionally, the reception was attended by chairmen, board members, and directors of global banks, as well as representatives of regulatory and supervisory authorities, alongside more than 600 elite banking leaders, monetary policymakers, and fintech pioneers from around the world. ย
Industry sources added that on the sidelines of the reception, a series of bilateral meetings took place between chief executive officers of UAE banks and their counterparts from leading international financial institutions to explore ways to strengthen cooperation and expand opportunities for joint investment, supporting the UAE banking sectorโs international partnerships and reinforcing the UAEโs position as a leading global financial centre.
H.E. Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE, affirmed that organising this international reception reflects the forward-looking vision of the UAEโs wise leadership and underscores the CBUAEโs commitment to supporting the growth of the national financial sector and enhancing its global competitiveness.
H.E. stated: โThe Annual UAE Banks Reception in Bangkok reflects the depth of the strategic partnership and close integration between the government and banking sectors in the UAE, and their role in enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy. The productive meetings and constructive discussions held during todayโs reception open new avenues for strengthening international partnerships and expanding opportunities for joint investment, supporting development, prosperity and sustainable economic growth.โ
H.E. expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to all participating entities and sponsors for their efforts and contributions to the success of the reception, further strengthening the UAEโs position as a leading global financial centre that attracts international partners and investors.
The strategic partners, sponsors and participants in the reception include Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), alongside a distinguished group of banks, financial institutions and financial technology companies operating in the UAE. These include First Abu Dhabi Bank, Emirates NBD, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Mashreq Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai, National Bank of Fujairah, National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah (RAKBANK), Sharjah Islamic Bank, Bank of Sharjah, Ajman Bank, HSBC, Arab Bank for Investment and Foreign Trade (Al Masraf), Emirates Investment Bank, United Arab Bank, Invest Bank, Emirates Islamic Bank, Citibank, Deem Finance, Wio Bank, Zand Bank, Al Maryah Community Bank and ruya Community Islamic Bank.
