The Kuwait Banking Association has announced that it will host the “GCC-Asia Economic Forum: Banking, Investment, and Digital Infrastructure” on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok. The event will take place on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group.
The forum is organized with the support of the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in the Kingdom of Thailand, and in partnership with the Asian Bankers Association, The Business Year, and the Kuwait Business Council in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
The forum will bring together a distinguished group of senior government officials, central bank governors, chairpersons, and executive leaders from banking, investment, and technology institutions across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Asia. The objective is to strengthen economic, financial, and investment ties between the two regions and to foster deeper cooperation.
The forum will feature high-level participation, including keynote addresses by H.E. Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council; H.E. Dr. Yaqoub Al-Refaei, Minister of Finance; and Mr. Hamad Abdulmohsen Al-Marzouq, Chairman of the Kuwait Banking Association and Chairman of Kuwait Finance House (KFH). Also in attendance will be H.E. Basel Ahmed Al-Haroon, Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait, while Mr. Yousef Abdulla Al-Yousef, Chairman of the Bahrain Bourse, will participate in one of the forum’s panel discussions.
The forum’s proceedings will focus on three key strategic pillars aimed at enhancing financial and investment cooperation between the Gulf states and Asia, with the goal of transforming shared opportunities into practical partnerships and projects that contribute to sustainable economic growth in both regions. The first theme explores ways to strengthen direct cooperation between Gulf and Asian banks by enhancing cross-border financing, syndicated loans, and both conventional and Sharia-compliant finance. It also covers the development of liquidity management solutions and collaboration in treasury activities, all of which support the flow of trade and investment between the two regions.
The second theme focuses on cross-border investment and the facilitation of capital flows. This includes project and infrastructure finance, investments in credit and private equity, co-investment platforms, and the issuance of Sukuk—all of which contribute to expanding the horizons for investment partnerships between Gulf and Asian institutions.
The third theme addresses the future of digital infrastructure for financial services and artificial intelligence applications. This encompasses enhancing the connectivity of cross-border payment systems, digital identity, data governance, cybersecurity, and the interoperability of financial systems—ultimately supporting the creation of a more efficient, innovative, and interconnected financial ecosystem at both the regional and international levels.
The forum’s sessions will feature several prominent banking and investment leaders from the Gulf states, including Khalid Al-Shamlan, Group CEO of Kuwait Finance House (KFH); Abdullatif Ali Al-Saif, Chairman of the Saudi Investment Bank (SAIB); Ali Khalil, CEO of Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz); and Richard Poulton, CEO of Beyon Connect, a subsidiary of the Beyon Group in the Kingdom of Bahrain. From the Asian side, participants include Mr. Chartsiri Sophonpanich, President and Director of Bangkok Bank; Mr. Wilson Zhang Yiming, Managing Director and Chairman of the Global Equities Management Committee at China International Capital Corporation (CICC); Ms. Wajana Wongsupasawat, Managing Director of Kasikorn Asset Management; Mr. Jason Cao, CEO of the Digital Finance Business Unit at Huawei; and Mr. Sajit Vijayakumar, CEO of Infosys Finacle.
H.E. Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stated: “The strategic and historic partnership with Asian nations serves as a cornerstone for the GCC states’ efforts to diversify their economies, enhance their competitiveness, and expand their economic and investment partnerships globally. This forum provides a vital platform that brings together decision-makers and leaders from the financial and banking sectors, helping to translate shared opportunities and potential into practical, sustainable partnerships across the fields of finance, investment, infrastructure, and technology.”
He added: “Developing sustainable economic and financial corridors between the GCC and Asian nations requires strengthening institutional coordination, facilitating trade and capital flows, supporting joint investments, and building a more integrated and efficient financial and digital ecosystem. Such initiatives will open new horizons for cooperation, advance mutual interests, and bolster the paths toward development, growth, and shared prosperity for both sides.” The Secretary-General concluded his statement by emphasizing that the focus of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states on concluding several free trade agreements with various Asian nations serves as further evidence of this significant strategy—a strategy poised to generate numerous commercial, economic, and investment opportunities for both sides.
His Excellency Dr. Yaqoub Al-Sayed Yousef Al-Refaei, Minister of Finance, affirmed that the convening of the GCC-Asian Economic Forum in Bangkok reflects the State of Kuwait’s commitment to strengthening its economic and financial partnerships with Asian nations, and to opening new horizons for trade, investment, and capital flows between the two sides. He added that the coming phase requires the development of innovative financing instruments, as well as expanded cooperation in capital markets, *sukuk* (Islamic bonds), and the financing of projects and infrastructure—all of which will support plans for economic diversification and sustainable development. He noted that the forum serves as a vital platform, bringing together governments, financial institutions, and investors, and contributes to transforming shared opportunities into practical projects and partnerships that serve mutual interests and foster long-term, sustainable growth and prosperity for both regions.
Furthermore, His Excellency Dr. Meshal Ahmed Al-Mansour, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the Kingdom of Thailand, highlighted the significance of the upcoming meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund—scheduled to take place from October 12 to 16, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand. He remarked that Thailand’s hosting of this international event underscores the pivotal and growing role of Asian nations as a primary engine for global economic growth—a role that is especially critical given the challenges currently facing the global economy, which necessitate greater cooperation and integration within the international community. On the sidelines of the aforementioned meetings, the GCC-Asia Economic Forum is scheduled to be held on October 14, 2026, in Bangkok. The forum will take place under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance of the State of Kuwait, the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in the Kingdom of Thailand, and the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC). This event represents an exceptional opportunity to foster cooperation and engagement among business communities, financial institutions, and investment entities, while exploring new prospects—particularly in the fields of finance, technology, infrastructure, and sustainable investment. We anticipate that the forum’s proceedings and outcomes will open new horizons for economic and investment cooperation between the GCC states and Asian nations, strengthening existing partnerships and uncovering fresh opportunities that serve mutual interests and support the development and prosperity of both sides.
In the same context, Mr. Hamad Abdulmohsen Al-Marzouq, Chairman of the Kuwait Banking Association and Chairman of Kuwait Finance House (KFH), emphasized that hosting the GCC-Asia Economic Forum in Bangkok reflects the commitment of the Kuwaiti banking sector to enhancing its international presence and expanding its strategic partnerships. This initiative aims to bridge the financial and investment capabilities of the GCC states with the promising opportunities offered by Asian markets.
“Economic relations between the GCC states and Asia possess significant potential for growth and expansion,” said Al-Marzouq, “underpinned by robust trade and investment ties, as well as growing shared interests.” “We look forward to the forum’s discussions yielding practical initiatives in the fields of finance, investment, capital markets, and digital financial services—initiatives that will strengthen economic ties and open new horizons for growth and shared prosperity between the two sides.”
Al-Marzouq added that the Kuwaiti banking sector possesses strong fundamentals that position it to play a pivotal role in this endeavor. This includes its financial robustness, a solid capital base, and advanced expertise in both Islamic and conventional finance. Furthermore, the sector operates within a sophisticated regulatory framework overseen by the Central Bank of Kuwait, which reinforces its standing as a trusted partner for Asian financial and investment institutions.
For her part, Ms. Shaikha Al-Essa, Secretary-General of the Kuwait Banking Association, emphasized that the GCC-Asia Economic Forum embodies the Association’s vision of building sustainable bridges of cooperation between financial and investment institutions in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Asia. It achieves this by providing a high-level platform that brings together decision-makers, business leaders, and experts from various relevant sectors.
“We ensured that the forum serves as more than just a venue for dialogue and the exchange of ideas,” Al-Essa stated. “It is intended to be a practical platform that fosters direct engagement between institutions, enabling the exploration of opportunities for collaboration and strategic partnerships.” “We have also ensured that its themes reflect the current priorities of the financial and investment sector, thereby contributing to the strengthening of economic and financial relations between the Gulf and Asia.”
Al-Essa explained that, over the past few months, the Union has been engaging and coordinating with various official, banking, and institutional entities across Asian countries. The goal is to secure high-caliber participation that mirrors the economic and financial weight of both regions, while creating valuable opportunities for bilateral meetings and the establishment of long-term institutional relationships.
It is worth noting that, on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, the Kuwait Banking Association will host a reception for Kuwaiti banks on the evening of Friday, October 16, 2026, at the Capella Bangkok hotel. The event will be attended by senior officials, banking and investment leaders, and participating delegations, providing an additional venue to foster professional ties and explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
