
Bank Nizwa signs MoU with Knowledge Oman
Muscat: Reaffirming its dedication to raising awareness of Islamic finance and engaging meaningfully with the community, Bank Nizwa, the leading and most trusted Islamic bank in the Sultanate of Oman, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Knowledge Oman. This strategic collaboration will provide training opportunities in Islamic finance, alongside supporting key initiatives driven by Knowledge Oman. The MoU was signed by Mr. Khalid Al Kayed, Chief Executive Officer of Bank Nizwa, and Mr. Tariq Al Barwani, Chairman of Knowledge Oman, reinforcing their shared vision of empowerment through education, financial literacy, and corporate social responsibility.
Speaking on the significance of the partnership, Mr. Khaled Al Kayed stated, 'At Bank Nizwa, we recognize that knowledge is a fundamental pillar of economic and social progress. This collaboration with Knowledge Oman reflects our unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of learning and financial empowerment, particularly in Islamic finance. By sharing our expertise and resources, we aim to provide valuable training opportunities that will help individuals and institutions deepen their understanding of Sharia-compliant financial solutions. At the same time, we will continue to extend our support for impactful corporate social responsibility initiatives. Through this partnership, we strive to cultivate a more informed and financially literate society, enabling individuals to make informed and responsible financial decisions, ultimately contributing to the broader development of the Sultanate.'
Echoing the same, Mr. Tariq Al Barwani stated, 'We are honoured to partner with Bank Nizwa, as we recognize the immense potential of this collaboration and the collective impact we can achieve through educational initiatives that promote awareness of Sharia-compliant finance principles. By doing so, we aim to enhance capabilities and cultivate responsible financial practices. Additionally, we are excited to join forces with the bank on our social responsibility efforts. We believe that through our shared vision of empowering communities and fostering nationwide inclusion, we can not only build resilient societies but also drive meaningful progress toward a brighter and more promising future.'
The MoU lays the groundwork for a series of impactful initiatives that leverage Bank Nizwa's leadership and pioneering approach in Islamic finance, alongside Knowledge Oman's extensive network and proven track record in promoting educational excellence. Under the agreement, Bank Nizwa will provide access to its training facilities for individuals from Knowledge Oman, creating a structured environment to enhance expertise in Islamic finance and support professional development. This collaboration reinforces the bank's commitment to fostering a dynamic learning ecosystem that drives financial acumen and industry growth.
Beyond training and education, the partnership further extends to vital community engagement initiatives. In this regard, Bank Nizwa collaborated with Knowledge Oman to facilitate Ramadan package distributions and will participate in future community-focused projects, reinforcing its commitment to tangible social support.
Through this MoU, Bank Nizwa reaffirms its pioneering role in the Islamic finance sector while embracing innovative approaches to societal development. The collaboration with Knowledge Oman exemplifies a forward-thinking model that combines financial expertise with proactive societal contributions, paving the way for sustainable prosperity and long-term progress.
Hashtags

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


Fintech News ME
a day ago
- Fintech News ME
Qatar Islamic Bank Partners with Visa to Boost Cross-Border B2B Payments
Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) has partnered with Visa to enhance cross-border business-to-business (B2B) transactions. The collaboration involves the integration of the Visa B2B Connect platform, which will enable corporate clients to transfer funds from Qatar to 120 countries in a secure and streamlined manner. The platform is designed to support businesses in conducting international transactions more efficiently, aiming to improve the reliability and security of cross-border payments. QIB's adoption of Visa B2B Connect aligns with its broader strategy to strengthen international payment corridors and provide clients with cost-effective and consistent transfer services. Tarek Fawzi, General Manager, Wholesale Banking Group at QIB, said: 'By leveraging cutting-edge technology and digital advancements, we're able to process account-to-account transfers promptly, helping businesses stay competitive and contributing to the broader economic landscape.' QIB is the first Islamic bank in Qatar to adopt the Visa B2B Connect platform, adding to its existing international money transfer services and expanding its digital payment capabilities. Shashank Singh, Visa's Vice President and General Manager for Qatar and Kuwait, said: 'Visa B2B Connect provides seamless, secure and efficient global money movement solutions for financial institutions and their corporate clients. The solution also supports the Qatar government's efforts to drive digital innovation in the financial and business sector.' International money transfers often involve complexities, but this new network aims to improve transparency and predictability. These features may support better financial planning and strategic decision-making for businesses operating across borders.


Fintech News ME
3 days ago
- Fintech News ME
Saudi Digital Bank D360 Eyes Series A in 2025, Targets Global Investors
Saudi Arabia's digital bank D360, backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is in preliminary discussions with potential global investors as it prepares for a Series A funding round slated for the second half of 2025. The Shariah-compliant bank, which began operations in December, aims to complete the fundraising in the first quarter of 2026, according to Chief Executive Officer Eze Szafir in an interview with Bloomberg. This follows D360's successful raising of approximately US$500 million from existing shareholders, including the PIF and Derayah Financial Co. Szafir did not specify the size of the upcoming round but said the funds would support efforts to expand services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in line with Saudi Arabia's economic diversification objectives under Vision 2030. 'We're looking for new investors in the international landscape, most probably from Europe or the US, with the same quality we have here with the PIF and Derayah,' Szafir told Bloomberg. The bank also plans to launch comprehensive lending services for individuals and SMEs later this year. To prepare for the funding round, D360 has appointed former JPMorgan Chase & Co. banker Mohammed Nazer as Chief Financial Officer to oversee the process. Nazer said the bank expects to appoint advisers to manage the Series A round by the end of July. D360 is among the first institutions to receive a digital banking licence in Saudi Arabia and currently serves over 1 million users. It is targeting 4 million account holders ahead of a potential public listing within the next four years. By leveraging data-driven strategies and modern technologies, the bank aims to support the development of Saudi Arabia's digital financial infrastructure in alignment with Vision 2030. The move comes as the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), continues to update regulatory frameworks to facilitate digital transformation in the financial sector. SAMA has prioritised innovation and financial inclusion by licensing new digital banking players as part of efforts to modernise the Kingdom's banking system and bolster financial resilience. This regulatory push has contributed to electronic payments accounting for 79% of all retail transactions in Saudi Arabia in 2024, up from 70% in 2023, according to SAMA. The central bank also reported that non-cash retail transactions totalled 12.6 billion in 2024, compared with 10.8 billion the year before, reflecting ongoing growth and adoption of digital payments nationwide.


Hi Dubai
3 days ago
- Hi Dubai
Mashreq Lists USD 500 Million Sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai Amid Strong Global Demand
Mashreq has marked a key milestone in its Islamic finance journey with the listing of a USD 500 million Sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai, following strong investor demand and signaling renewed confidence in the region's capital markets. The Sukuk, due in 2030, was issued by Mashreq Al Islami Sukuk Company Ltd. under the bank's USD 2.5 billion Trust Certificate Issuance Programme. Attracting an oversubscribed orderbook of USD 2.9 billion, the issuance saw broad participation from over 90 global investors across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. The listing ceremony was attended by senior Mashreq executives, including Group CEO Ahmed Abdelaal, who rang the market-opening bell alongside Hamed Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market. Abdelaal described the debut listing as a 'new chapter' in Mashreq's capital markets strategy, highlighting its disciplined funding approach and commitment to sustainable, Sharia-compliant financial solutions. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of Mashreq, called the listing a demonstration of the bank's role in advancing global Islamic finance. Hamed Ali noted that the move underscores Nasdaq Dubai's position as a global platform linking regional issuers with international investors and supporting diversified financing needs. The successful Sukuk launch is also significant as it marked the first public issuance from the CEEMEA region since the announcement of U.S. tariffs in April 2025, which had stirred global market volatility. Its strong reception helped pave the way for additional regional issuances. With this listing, total Sukuk listings on Nasdaq Dubai have reached USD 97.2 billion, while overall debt listings now stand at over USD 140 billion — reinforcing Dubai's growing stature as a leading hub for Islamic and international capital markets. News Source: Dubai Media Office