Cheque Point, a Finance Middle East podcast, is your exclusive source for in-depth analysis and discussion of Middle Eastern financial markets from Finance Middle East. Our podcast delves into the industry’s most pressing topics and trends, providing valuable insights for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Join us as we explore the dynamic world of finance in the Middle East, featuring expert interviews, market analysis, and thought-provoking commentary to keep you informed and ahead of the curve.
Business development strategies
In this episode, Nivetha Dayanand talks with Christiane el Habre, Regional Managing Director, Middle East, Apex Group, about implementing business development strategies to drive continued growth in the GCC.
The podcast delves into the unique challenges and opportunities of the GCC market, as well as the role of regulations and technology in the future of the region.
Effective auditing and accounting
Welcome to the latest episode of Cheque Point by Finance Middle East!In this episode, Beatriz Valero talks with Arwa Naccho, Managing Partner at Swift Audit & Advisory.
The podcast delves into Dubai’s booming business landscape and how to achieve effective auditing, accounting and tax reporting to drive long-lasting business growth.
Global tax and regulatory changes
In this episode, Nivetha Dayanand, Editor of Finance Middle East, talks with Wahaj Siddiqui, Managing Director of Oblique Consult, about how global tax and regulatory changes are shaping corporate financial strategies in the GCC today.
The podcast discusses regional considerations, data availability and the evolving sector.
Fine art investing
Raza Beig has embarked on a new business venture, this time in the art world. Following a two-year media hiatus, the CEO of Splash made his podcasting debut in Cheque Point by Finance Middle East.
Joined by Artif co-founder Aly Raza Beig, the two talked with Beatriz Valero de Urquía about starting a new business, learning about blockchain and the future of fine art investments.
Global tax and regulatory changes in the Middle East
In this episode, Nivetha Dayanand, Editor of Finance Middle East, talks with Wahaj Siddiqui, Managing Director of Oblique Consult, about how global tax and regulatory changes are shaping corporate financial strategies in the GCC today.
The podcast discusses regional considerations, data availability and the evolving sector.
Cryptography in the Middle East
In this episode, Nivetha Dayanand, Editor of Finance Middle East, talks with Marc Manzano, General Manager of Cybersecurity at SandboxAQ about the current state of cryptography in regional banks.
The podcast discusses some of the best practices for addressing the significant cryptography threats financial institutions face today and how regulators should and are starting to act.
Navigating volatility
In this episode of Cheque Point by Finance Middle East, host Nivetha Dayanand talks to Mohamed Abdelbaki, Regional Marketing Manager at Tickmill.
They discuss how emerging technologies like AI and blockchain are impacting forex trading, how traders can navigate global market volatility and Tickmill’s approach to educating clients and standing out in a competitive market.
Role of a CFO
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the role of the CFO has undergone a significant transformation. Gone are the days when CFOs were responsible for managing financial statements and balancing the books. Today’s CFOs are expected to be strategic leaders, leveraging data, technology, and innovation to drive business growth. But what about the next generation of CFOs? What new skills will they need to develop, and what challenges will they face in a world dominated by digital transformation and economic uncertainty?
In this episode, speak with Taimur Ali Mir, PwC Partner and PwC’s Academy ME Professional Qualifications Head, about the evolving responsibilities of the modern CFO and the critical skills required to thrive in this pivotal role.
Core banking transformation
In this episode, Beatriz Valero talks with Rudy Kawmi, MD, Universal Banking MEA, Finastra, about core banking transformation.
The podcast delves into how banks can leverage open finance principles and innovative technologies to support environmental and social initiatives while delivering value to shareholders and customers.
Fostering innovative startups
In this episode, Nivetha Dayanand, Editor of Finance Middle East, talks with Peter Abou Hachem, Head of Growth and Strategy at Hub71, about the growth of Abu Dhabi’s digital asset landscape and how innovative regulations foster a supportive environment for startups.
The podcast explores key trends shaping the Web3 and digital assets space locally and globally.
All you need to know about stablecoins
Nivetha Dayanand, Editor of Finance Middle East, talks with Arushi Goel, Policy Lead – MEA at Chainalysis, about the Central Bank of the UAE’s latest set of regulations related to Payment Token Services.
The podcast discusses how regulators in the country have been making commendable progress in defining and rolling out clear stablecoin regulatory schemes.
Ethical banking solutions
In this episode, Nivetha Dayanand, Editor of Finance Middle East, talks with Christoph Koster, CEO of ruya, about the launch of UAE’s first digital-first Islamic bank. The Islamic finance industry continues to grow worldwide, surpassing Dh16.5 trillion in 2022 and is forecast to grow to Dh24.5 trillion by 2027.
The UAE is the world’s fourth-largest Islamic finance market, with Islamic banking assets representing 23% of the country’s total banking assets. In this competitive market, a new bank aims to distinguish itself as the nation’s first digital-first Islamic bank, offering ethical banking solutions to meet the growing demand for Sharia-compliant financial services. Headquartered in Ajman and licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE as a Specialised Bank in 2024, ruya combines innovative technology with the principles of Islamic Banking.
Renewable investments
In this episode, Nivetha Dayanand, Editor of Finance Middle East, speaks with Zoltan Rendes, CMO of Sunmoney Solar Group and Climate Pact Ambassador, about the impact of global policies on renewable investments.
The podcast offers insights into how global environmental policies, particularly green and eco-friendly financing rules, are influencing existing investment trends.
Growth of Islamic finance in the region
In this episode, Mohamed Damak, Managing Director and Global Head of Islamic Finance at S&P Global Ratings, talks about the growth of Islamic finance in the region. The podcast offers insights into the global rise of Islamic finance, the principles of ethical investing and risk-sharing and the role of Shariah compliance.
The high price of digital trust
Over the past year, the global payments landscape has shifted at a pace few anticipated. In a wide-ranging conversation with Cheque Point, Charles Lobo, Senior Vice President and Regional Risk Officer for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA) at Visa, outlined the rising complexity of the payments ecosystem — from real-time transfers to AI-powered scams.
AI in investing
In this episode, Nivetha Dayanand, Editor of Finance Middle East, speaks with Bas Kooijman, Financial Asset Manager and CEO of DHF Capital S.A., about AI in investing.
The podcast offers insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating AI into the investment process, as well as the potential for AI to revolutionise decision-making in asset management.