
Al Ansari Financial Services opens tech-focused base in India
2 June 2025 13:50
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Al Ansari Financial Services is opening a technology-focused base in India to accelerate the digital transformation of the company.The company operates the country's largest currency exchange—Al Ansari Exchange—and has recently been expanding its operations across other Gulf countries.Al Ansari Financial Services is a Dubai Financial Market-listed company with a market cap of Dh7.25 billion. In a stock market filing on Monday, the company announced the launch of its new business solutions centre in Hyderabad, India.'The establishment of the state-of-the-art centre marks a significant milestone in the Group's commitment to innovation and operational excellence. By leveraging India's rich pool of talent and technological expertise, this office will play a pivotal role in accelerating the Group's digital transformation journey,' the stock market filing said.Named Al Ansari Financial Services Solutions Private Limited (AAFS Solutions), the new facility will serve as a strategic hub designed to enhance efficiency, productivity, and cost-effectiveness across the Group's operations. The Hyderabad centre is expected to streamline business processes, optimise performance, and support the organisation's technological advancement initiatives.'We are proud to inaugurate our new offices in India,' said Mohammad Bitar, Deputy Group CEO of Al Ansari Financial Services. 'This expansion reflects our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovative practices to provide exceptional services to our customers. We are reshaping our operations to promote leaner corporate structures and enhance the effectiveness of shared services and global business service units.'
The Hyderabad office is also expected to serve as a platform for future growth. In the initial phase, an IT Excellence Centre has been established to improve the Group's technological capabilities and foster innovation. Future plans include extending the scope of the centre to provide business process outsourcing (BPO) services.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Zawya
28 minutes ago
- Zawya
Alkhaldi Logistics cancels Saudi IPO
Saudi Arabia's Alkhaldi Logistics Company has cancelled its initial public offering (IPO) on the kingdom's parallel market, Nomu. Yaqeen Capital, serving as the financial advisor and lead manager for the offering, said on Tuesday that the planned share offering was 'incomplete' and considered 'void'. It did not specify the reason for cancellation. With the IPO cancelled, subscribers are expected to receive refunds by Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The company had previously planned to sell 1.05 million shares on Nomu, representing 7% of post-IPO capital. The offer price was set between SAR 44 and SAR 47 per share. (Writing by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Seban Scaria)


Zawya
28 minutes ago
- Zawya
UAE non-oil business sector growth slows to 4-year low
Growth in the UAE's non-oil private sector fell to its lowest level in four years in May although demand remained strong, a business survey showed, signalling the impact of the US trade tariffs on the Gulf region's second biggest economy. The seasonally adjusted S&P Global Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) slipped to 53.3 last month from 54.0 in April, marking its lowest reading in 44 months. Although the rate of growth trended down from its recent bullish run, demand conditions remained strong, supporting a marked increase in output. "From an overall perspective, the survey signals that the UAE economy is performing well, but the softer increases in output and new orders hint at momentum easing,' said David Owen, senior economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence. "Although businesses continued to welcome strong demand from their clients, there were some reports that competitive pressures and weaker trade amid US tariffs had weighed on growth." The broadly subdued outlook for activity suggest that firms are gearing up for softer growth, he added. The survey showed a record decrease in input stocks, as firms looked to streamline holdings amid slowing momentum. This came as growth in backlogs, whilst still marked, dropped to a 16-month low. However, employment growth was the strongest seen in exactly one year. Respondents often attributed this to elevated workloads, as rising new orders contributed to another sharp increase in backlogs of work. Firms also reported a modest rise in input costs in May. This marked the slowest rate of inflation in nearly one-and-a-half years. Looking ahead, optimism eased to its lowest since January, with nearly 10% of companies anticipating an expansion in the year ahead. Dubai PMI The Dubai PMI stayed at 52.9 in May, its joint-lowest since the beginning of 2022, but signalled a solid expansion in operating conditions across the non-oil private sector. (Writing by Brinda Darasha; editing by Seban Scaria)


Gulf Business
2 hours ago
- Gulf Business
Breaking down barriers in insurance: Why sharing data matters
Image: Supplied Across the Middle East, insurers are racing to adopt AI and meet rising regulatory demands but many are still losing the race where it counts: data integration. According to Norton Rose Fulbright's ' Yet, despite the buzz around innovation, most insurers are still shackled by siloed systems that can't talk to each other. Data is often stored in different systems, slowing communication, creating errors, and frustrating customers. Solving this isn't just a technical upgrade – it's the next big leap toward real operational agility, trust, and regulatory readiness. The unseen barrier behind delays and errors AI may be the headline, but broken data systems are the footnotes where failure lives. Delayed quotes, slow claims processes, and inconsistent customer service often stem from fragmented systems and manual data transfers. Without seamless connections between systems, even the most sophisticated AI becomes blind ineffective. This issue isn't just a technical inconvenience; it undermines the customer experience and affects the brand`s credibility. Regulatory expectations are rising In the Gulf, what was once guidance is fast becoming obligation. For example, in the Insurance companies must now prove they can track where data originates, how it is used, and whether it is being handled with consent and integrity. This level of accountability is unachievable without robust, interconnected systems. Why seamless data sharing will separate leaders from Laggards While regulators demand it, leaders leverage it. When brokers can access customer data instantly, they reduce response times and enhance service quality. Efficient data exchange across insurers, healthcare providers, and repair shops reduces duplication and human error in claims. Moreover, the performance of AI systems is directly tied to the quality and accessibility of data. Without structured, interoperable datasets, even the smartest algorithms can't deliver on their promises – from fraud detection to personalised coverage. The tools powering interoperability Despite the Middle East's reputation for innovation, insurers are still held back by entrenched workflows, legacy systems, and inconsistent data quality. But as adoption begins to accelerate, a new wave of tools is quietly enabling systemic interoperability — offering insurers a way to leapfrog outdated practices and unlock the next stage of transformation. One of the most persistent issues across regional markets is the continued reliance on email as the primary placement method — a sign of deeper fragmentation in insurance processes. Many insurers are only now beginning to transition from legacy systems toward modern, integrated tools that enable true end-to-end data connectivity. These tools include: Unified Dashboards: Modern dashboards consolidate underwriting, claims, and client data in real time. This single source of truth reduces duplication, enables quicker decision-making, and ensures that brokers and underwriters are aligned in servicing and risk evaluation. AI and Automation: AI-enabled solutions are already being applied to streamline underwriting, automate claims processing, and flag potential fraud. Digital placing platforms and workflow automation tools significantly reduce time spent on manual tasks like re-keying data — freeing brokers and underwriters to focus on growth, advisory services, and value delivery. Collaborative Portals: Secure digital portals are replacing PDF-based submissions, spreadsheets, and lengthy email threads. These collaborative environments allow stakeholders across the insurance lifecycle to exchange data, approve policies, and monitor progress in real time — dramatically improving speed and reducing operational friction. Real business impact This technology isn't just improving backend operations; it's shaping frontline outcomes and strategic partnerships. Faster decision-making : Integrated systems mean approvals that once sat idle in inboxes now flow automatically. Leads convert faster, onboarding is frictionless, and no client is lost in the waiting. Efficient claims handling: Today's AI tools assess claims quickly, flag suspicious ones, and speed up legitimate payouts. When linked to hospitals, repair shops, and legal teams, they create a fast and reliable claims process, just when customers need it most. Transparency = trust: Visible workflows, predictable timelines, and steady communication make clients feel like partners. In a competitive market, this kind of transparency builds loyalty and drives referrals. Preparing for what's next The window to act is narrowing; As regulations toughen and customer expectations rise, insurers have a short window to embed transparency, security, and seamless data sharing into their operating core. A smooth digital experience isn't just about compliance; it's a key to client satisfaction. Easy data sharing means clients stay longer, refer more business, and explore new services. The ecosystem is shifting fast. Collaboration between insurers, regulators, and tech enablers is no longer optional – it's a growth strategy. With these foundations in place, insurers can not only meet today's demands, but they'll also be ready to grow, offer tailored products, and thrive through future challenges. The writer is the regional VP, Southern EMEA & ME at Denodo. Read: