stc hosts press conference for inspireU Intake 12 activities in collaboration with key partners
In addition to local resources, startups also benefit from international networking opportunities through global tech events such as MWC, LEAP, and Silicon Valley summits. Past graduates of inspireU have gone on to secure investment, expand their offerings, and play influential roles in the market.
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Al Bawaba
5 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
Empowering Women in the Informal Sector: AUB Celebrates QUDWA Graduates and Holds Panel Discussion on Women's Work in Lebanon
The Center for Women in Business at the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business (OSB) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) hosted a graduation ceremony marking the completion of QUDWA—an initiative supporting women in Lebanon's informal event honored twenty women from across Lebanon who successfully completed the QUDWA program. Over the past five years, these women have launched and grown their own businesses in regions including Tripoli, South Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and is designed to empower women working informally by equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to transition into the formal economy. Through targeted training delivered by experts from the OSB faculty, the program fosters inclusive, sustainable, and dignified economic opportunities for women the ceremony, Dr. Nada Khaddage-Soboh, director of the Center for Women in Business, highlighted the challenges women face in the informal sector and reaffirmed the center's commitment to creating meaningful impact. She noted, 'We believe that investing in women is an investment in the prosperity of entire communities and the promise of generational transformation—contributing directly to AUB's mission of changing the world.'OSB Dean Yusuf Sidani praised the QUDWA program and shared reflections on the broader journey of women in business education. He emphasized the importance of trust, support, and inclusive leadership, stating, 'It was in 1923 that the first female student joined the School of Commerce at AUB, as it was called back then. This reflects broader patterns seen across disciplines—engineering, medicine, and more. We must continue to create space for women to thrive.'In her keynote address, Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs Haneen El Sayed called for systemic reforms to enable real economic equity. She stressed the importance of legal and structural support for women, noting, 'Our laws must serve everyone. That means gender-responsive labor regulations, flexible work options, and paternity leave that's more than a token—it's a right. It also means building affordable childcare so women can participate in the economy fully and fairly.'Certificates of completion were awarded to the graduates, as well as to OSB faculty members who contributed to the program: Leila Khauli, Dr. Hania Hammoud, Dr. Jessy Kfoury, Dr. Marwan Wahbi, and Dr. Neveen event also featured a panel discussion titled 'Women's Work in Lebanon: Status, Challenges, and the Path Forward' that brought together thought leaders from academia, business, and the public sector, including Dr. Najat Aoun Saliba, member of the Lebanese Parliament; Professor Ali Fakih, chair of the Department of Economics at the Lebanese American University; Asmahan Zein, CEO of Ardi Ardak SAL; and Rima Freiji, chairwoman of Tanmia Lebanon and president of the Lebanese Private Sector panel opened with remarks by Professor Lama Moussawi, associate dean for research at OSB, who presented key statistics on male and female participation in both the formal and informal labor markets in Lebanon, the MENA region, and globally. 'This indicates the importance of giving informal employment specific attention and underscores the relevance of the project's goals and the Center for Women in Business' mission,' she reflected on the vital roles women play in sustaining their families and communities amid Lebanon's ongoing socioeconomic crisis. The conversation explored the challenges of visibility, recognition, and policy integration for women working Najat Aoun Saliba articulated the need for action, stating: 'We have a long way to go, but we must start by acknowledging the women working informally—like the 20 QUDWA participants and many others—who are doing their best from home with limited resources. They serve our communities yet remain unseen. Academia, the public sector, and the private sector must come together to recognize and formalize their presence.'From an academic lens, Professor Ali Fakih provided regional context, noting: 'When comparing Lebanon to other MENA countries, we are below the regional average. Female participation in the informal sector across the MENA region averages around 68 percent, placing us below countries like Jordan.'Rima Freiji emphasized the importance of formalizing microbusinesses to protect Lebanon's formal economy. 'At the Lebanese Private Sector Network, our mission includes protecting the formal economy. We see widespread unfair and illegal practices—labor, business, and even criminal—fueled by a growing cash economy. Our challenge is to bridge the gap between informal and formal and explore actionable solutions,' she the panel, Asmahan Zein expressed her belief in the strength of women as a catalyst for Lebanon's recovery: 'With the presence and support of women, Lebanon will overcome its struggles and rise to fulfill its potential.' The celebration concluded with the QUDWA Market at OSB, where graduates showcased their products, applying the branding, marketing, and customer engagement skills developed during the program.
Al Bawaba
3 days ago
- Al Bawaba
Burgan Bank Launches 'Data Champion' Bootcamp in Partnership with CODED
As part of its ongoing investment in human capital and commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning, Burgan Bank announced the launch of its latest Learning and Talent Development (LTD) endeavor: the Data Champion bootcamp. Developed in strategic partnership with CODED – the region's first dedicated coding academy – the program is the first of its kind in Kuwait, designed to build data fluency across the Bank and deepen its digital transformation efforts. This intensive, month-long internal bootcamp aims to upskill employees from across Burgan Bank's departments with\ essential data analytics capabilities, enabling them to extract insights, drive smarter decisions, and accelerate customer-centric innovation. 'In today's fast-moving digital banking landscape, digital transformation and data literacy is more than a competitive edge – it's a business imperative,' said Ms. Fatma Ahmad, Senior Manager – Learning and Development at Burgan Bank. 'A true transformation lies in embedding data thinking into every part of the Bank's operations. Through this program, we're empowering our Employees with the tools and mindset to harness data effectively – and ultimately deliver a smarter, more seamless banking experience.' For his part, Mr. Hashim Behbehani, Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer of CODED, said: 'We are proud to host Burgan Bank's Data Champion Program, which marks a truly forward-thinking initiative from Burgan Bank that invests in the technical upskilling of its employees. This program was specifically designed around real banking scenarios. It is meant to be practical and intensive, to deliver direct impact not only on the performance of participants – but also the various Burgan Bank departments they serve.' He added: 'This collaboration reflects Burgan Bank's deep-rooted belief in the importance of investing in national talent, which echoes CODED's vision to place Kuwait on the global technology map. We are grateful Burgan Bank for their ongoing trust and look forward to seeing the tangible results of this program.' To ensure the organizational alignment on adopting a data-driven mindset, 12 employees representing different departments within the Bank – will be selected to attend the bootcamp. Throughout the program, participants will receive hands-on training in Power BI, Excel Dashboards, and Data Storytelling, in addition to modules on data management, data analytics, and data modeling, supported by real-world case studies tailored to banking scenarios. This initiative also aligns closely with Burgan Bank's sustainability strategy, particularly in the areas of human capital development, digital transformation, and national talent empowerment. By equipping employees with cutting-edge data skills and fostering a culture of innovation, the Bank reinforces its long-term commitment to responsible growth and inclusive progress. The program further supports Kuwait's Vision 2035 by nurturing local talent in partnership with a homegrown tech institution, CODED, while also enhancing employee engagement and organizational resilience hallmarks of Burgan's sustainable development vision. The bootcamp will culminate in a collaborative capstone project, where participants will demonstrate their ability to apply data concepts to real business challenges. Graduates will be formally recognized upon completing the requirements of 'Data Champions Bootcamp'. It serves to note that Burgan Bank, a certified Great Place to Work® with a mission of becoming an employer of choice on the national level, currently houses one of the most robust and comprehensive LTD programs within the sector, A dynamic program with an expansive vision, Burgan Bank's LTD strategy offers employees year-round opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Al Bawaba
3 days ago
- Al Bawaba
Markaz records Total Revenue of KD 14.45 million for H1-2025
Kuwait Financial Centre 'Markaz' (KSE: Markaz, Reuters: Bloomberg: MARKAZ: KK) reported its financial results for H1-2025 with a Total Revenue of KD 14.45 million with an increase of 65%, as compared to KD 8.76 million in H1-2024. The net profit attributable to shareholders of Markaz was KD 6.41 million, compared to KD 1.79 million in the same period last year, and earnings per share was 13 Fils for H1-2025. Mr. Diraar Yusuf Alghanim, Markaz's Chairman, stated: 'Kuwait demonstrated robust performance during the second quarter of 2025, with non-oil GDP growth estimated at around 2.5%, supported by steady expansion in real estate, manufacturing, and hospitality, while inflation remained contained near 2.3% alongside a private sector PMI of 53.9 in the GCC, economic prospects were reinforced by ongoing diversification initiatives and rising credit activity in the UAE, which helped sustain regional growth. Regional oil revenues also benefited from periodic price increases amid geopolitical tensions, supporting fiscal balances. On the global front, the IMF revised growth expectations downward due to weaker demand and continued geopolitical friction, although oil market movements offered some support to regional fiscal positions. In recognition of its institutional strength and innovative investment capabilities during this period, Markaz was honoured with five prestigious awards from EMEA Finance, Euromoney, and MEED. We remain positive on the region's outlook, supported by improving financial conditions, ongoing structural reforms, and steady demand trends. Our priority continues to be the creation of long-term value for our stakeholders through disciplined execution, strategic growth, and prudent risk Ali H. Khalil, Markaz's CEO, stated: Markaz's Asset Management fees for H1-2025 were KD 3.94 million as compared to KD 3.46 million for the same period last year, reflecting an increase of 14%. Investment Banking and Advisory fees for H1-2025 were KD 0.52 million as compared to KD 0.63 million for H1-2024. This performance reflects the strength of our diversified portfolios and disciplined focus on consistent execution across business verticals. In asset management, our equity mutual funds continued to deliver stable returns amid heightened market volatility. MIDAF, Mumtaz, the Markaz Islamic Fund, and Forsa recorded returns of 8.65%, 10.45%, 18.05%, and 12.31% respectively, supported by prudent investment strategies and active portfolio management. Within investment banking, Markaz continues to reinforce its capital markets expertise and deepen long-term client relationships. The team maintains a robust transaction pipeline, with multiple active M&A mandates currently regional and international real estate investments have remained resilient, supported by stable occupancy levels, reliable rental income, and steady collection rates. During the year, Markaz exited industrial real estate projects exceeding USD 100 million in the US and Europe, highlighting its disciplined investment approach, partnerships, and leadership in global real estate and credit strategies. Markaz also released the first annual report for its Shariah-compliant Markaz Real Estate Fund (MREF), strengthening transparency and highlighting its market demographic dynamics, sustained infrastructure spending, and broader economic diversification across the GCC continue to create attractive opportunities. Markaz is focused on providing differentiated investment offerings and maintaining strategic agility to deliver long-term value for Abdullatif W. Al-Nusif, Managing Director, Wealth Management and Business Development at Markaz, stated: 'Markaz continued to strengthen its wealth management services during the second quarter of 2025. Assets Under Management (AUM) reached approximately KD 1.56 billion as of 30 June 2025, reflecting an [increase] of 13.14% compared to KD 1.38 billion in Q2 2024. This growth is underpinned by our disciplined execution and client-focused strategy. In May 2025, Markaz successfully engaged professional and qualified investors through an exclusive private markets event with BlackRock, strengthening client access to global strategies and highlighting private credit as a strategic income-focused asset class. Expanding capabilities across private markets, alternative assets, and tailored advisory services remains central to addressing clients' evolving requirements. Enhanced digital initiatives continue to strengthen the client experience and drive greater efficiency. Supported by strong relationships with institutional and high net worth clients, and solutions aligned with market dynamics, Markaz is positioned to deliver consistent investment outcomes and uphold its leadership in wealth creation.
