SWIFT announces the Business Forum UAE

SWIFT, aglobal provider of secure financial messaging services, announces today that it is hosting its UAE Business Forum in Abu Dhabi on December 7th. 
Senior representatives from the UAE’s banking and financial industry will join regulators and policy makers to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the country’s financial services industry. 
The Forum will explore the theme: “Building for the future: regulation, innovation and the transformation of banking.”With Abu Dhabi working to establish itself as the FinTech capital of the GCC, the event will look at FinTech investment and innovation in the payment sector and the challenges and opportunities this provides banks. International and regional experts will also discuss the fundamental challenges of evolving regulation and compliance for the banking industry the world over and in the UAE.
The keynote speech will be delivered by Osama Al Rahma, General Manager and Chairman, Al Fardan Exchange & Foreign Exchange Remittance Group (FERG).Additional speakers include senior executives from Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Emirates NBD, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Central Bank of the UAE, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Citi Bank Dubai and Lulu Exchange. 
Khaled Moharem, Head of Middle East & North Africa,SWIFT, said: “The UAE is an important global financial hub. The Business Forum UAE will provide a unique platform for leading experts from the financial industry to discuss the most significant issues facing the region.”
Confirmed speakers include:
•    WaheedRathore, Chief Compliance Officer, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
•    Viji Mohan, Head of Information & Physical Security Assurance, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
•    Victor Matafonov, Group Chief Compliance Officer, Emirates NBD 
•    Alp Eke, Chief Economist, NBAD
•    Ramana Kumar, Managing Director & Head of GTB Business and Product Management, NBAD
•    Haytham El Maayergi, Global Head of Transaction Banking, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
•    Christos Christou, Chief Compliance Officer, Lulu International Exchange
•    Emre Karter, Head of Treasury and Trade Solutions for Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan & Turkey, Citi Dubai
The Business Forum will take place at the Park Rotana in Abu Dhabi. The programme will focus on financial crime compliance, the challenges of managing cyber risk, FinTech innovation and the future of payments in the Middle East.
Sessions willlook specifically at the impact of global regulations on the UAE, and how, as a result of increased due diligence expectations and increasingly specific legislative mandates, financial institutions are re-evaluating their cross-border activities to manage risk. Speakers will discuss how banks in the UAE can balance the needs of their client against the requirements of the regulator while satisfying shareholder demands.
Delegates will also discuss the shift towards real time payments and the evolution of global payment systems. There will be a focus on disruptive technologies and whether the industry is on the verge of a major step change.  
Leo Punt, Deputy Chief Executive, EMEA, SWIFT said: “The UAE is an extremely important market for SWIFT.The event is a great opportunity for the UAE’s financial community to learn, share, network and find common solutions to the challenges facing the region.”