Latest news with #RolaAbuManneh
Khaleej Times
22-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE leads key markets in HNW allocation to sustainable investments
High-net-worth investors in the UAE allocate 27 per cent of their portfolios to sustainable investments, the highest among all eight markets surveyed, a report showed on Tuesday. According Standard Chartered's latest Sustainable Banking Report 2025, 87 per cent of UAE investors are interested in transition investing, broadly in line with the global average. The report, titled 'Transition investing: the next wealth frontier?' is based on a survey of high-net-worth individuals across the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Mainland China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. It explores how investors are approaching the shift to a low-carbon economy and identifies the opportunities and challenges associated with transition investing. Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer, UAE, Middle East and Pakistan, Standard Chartered, said: 'The findings reaffirm the UAE's leadership in sustainable finance, with UAE high-net-worth investors allocating the highest share of their portfolios to transition investments across all surveyed markets. This growing momentum supports the country's Net Zero 2050 vision and reflects a broader shift towards low-carbon, future-focused investment strategies. At Standard Chartered, we are committed to enabling this transition by providing the insights and solutions that help investors capitalise on emerging opportunities and contribute meaningfully to a more sustainable economy.' The UAE's strong allocation is mirrored in the specific investment themes gaining prominence across the country. UAE investors are particularly focused on high-impact investment themes that align with the UAE's energy diversification goals and broader climate commitments. Green hydrogen (51 per cent), carbon markets (48 per cent), and carbon capture and storage (47 per cent) emerged as the most compelling areas of interest, reflecting a growing focus on real economy solutions that support the transition to a low-carbon future. While investor appetite is strong, the research identifies key barriers slowing broader capital deployment into transition strategies including higher risks (45 per cent) and limited access to credible products (36 per cent). These findings suggest that unlocking further capital will depend on building trust, enhancing product transparency, and improving access to well-structured solutions. Although interest in the UAE and other surveyed markets is high, the research also reveals a broader knowledge gap. Only a small proportion of global investors (15 per cent) were able to clearly define the concept of transition investing before being presented with a formal definition and examples. This highlights the ongoing need for investor education and clearer market guidance. To help bridge this gap, Standard Chartered has launched a Transition Investing Guide designed to support clients in assessing credible opportunities and contributing meaningfully to the global transition.
Al Bawaba
22-07-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Standard Chartered: 'UAE Leads Key Markets in HNW Allocation to Sustainable Investments'
Standard Chartered announced today the launch of its latest Sustainable Banking Report 2025 titled 'Transition investing: the next wealth frontier?'. The report, which explores investor sentiment around transition investing , reveals that high-net-worth investors surveyed in the UAE allocate 27 per cent of their portfolios to sustainable investments, the highest among all eight markets surveyed. In addition, 87 per cent of UAE investors are interested in transition investing, broadly in line with the global average, according to the survey. The findings are based on a survey of high-net-worth individuals across the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Mainland China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. It explores how investors are approaching the shift to a low-carbon economy and identifies the opportunities and challenges associated with transition investing. Commenting on the report, Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer, UAE, Middle East and Pakistan, Standard Chartered, said: 'The findings reaffirm the UAE's leadership in sustainable finance, with UAE high-net-worth investors allocating the highest share of their portfolios to transition investments across all surveyed markets. This growing momentum supports the country's Net Zero 2050 vision and reflects a broader shift towards low-carbon, future-focused investment strategies. At Standard Chartered, we are committed to enabling this transition by providing the insights and solutions that help investors capitalise on emerging opportunities and contribute meaningfully to a more sustainable economy.' The UAE's strong allocation is mirrored in the specific investment themes gaining prominence across the country. UAE investors are particularly focused on high-impact investment themes that align with the UAE's energy diversification goals and broader climate commitments. Green hydrogen (51%), carbon markets (48%), and carbon capture and storage (47%) emerged as the most compelling areas of interest, reflecting a growing focus on real economy solutions that support the transition to a low-carbon future. While investor appetite is strong, the research identifies key barriers slowing broader capital deployment into transition strategies including higher risks (45%) and limited access to credible products (36%). These findings suggest that unlocking further capital will depend on building trust, enhancing product transparency, and improving access to well-structured solutions. Although interest in the UAE and other surveyed markets is high, the research also reveals a broader knowledge gap. Only a small proportion of global investors (15%) were able to clearly define the concept of transition investing before being presented with a formal definition and examples. This highlights the ongoing need for investor education and clearer market guidance. To help bridge this gap, Standard Chartered has launched a Transition Investing Guide designed to support clients in assessing credible opportunities and contributing meaningfully to the global transition.
Zawya
22-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Standard Chartered: UAE leads key markets in HNW allocation to sustainable investments
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Standard Chartered announced today the launch of its latest Sustainable Banking Report 2025 titled 'Transition investing: the next wealth frontier?'. The report, which explores investor sentiment around transition investing [1], reveals that high-net-worth investors surveyed in the UAE allocate 27 per cent of their portfolios to sustainable investments, the highest among all eight markets surveyed. In addition, 87 per cent of UAE investors are interested in transition investing, broadly in line with the global average, according to the survey. The findings are based on a survey of high-net-worth individuals across the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Mainland China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. It explores how investors are approaching the shift to a low-carbon economy and identifies the opportunities and challenges associated with transition investing. Commenting on the report, Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer, UAE, Middle East and Pakistan, Standard Chartered, said: 'The findings reaffirm the UAE's leadership in sustainable finance, with UAE high-net-worth investors allocating the highest share of their portfolios to transition investments across all surveyed markets. This growing momentum supports the country's Net Zero 2050 vision and reflects a broader shift towards low-carbon, future-focused investment strategies. At Standard Chartered, we are committed to enabling this transition by providing the insights and solutions that help investors capitalise on emerging opportunities and contribute meaningfully to a more sustainable economy.' The UAE's strong allocation is mirrored in the specific investment themes gaining prominence across the country. UAE investors are particularly focused on high-impact investment themes that align with the UAE's energy diversification goals and broader climate commitments. Green hydrogen (51%), carbon markets (48%), and carbon capture and storage (47%) emerged as the most compelling areas of interest, reflecting a growing focus on real economy solutions that support the transition to a low-carbon future. While investor appetite is strong, the research identifies key barriers slowing broader capital deployment into transition strategies including higher risks (45%) and limited access to credible products (36%). These findings suggest that unlocking further capital will depend on building trust, enhancing product transparency, and improving access to well-structured solutions. Although interest in the UAE and other surveyed markets is high, the research also reveals a broader knowledge gap. Only a small proportion of global investors (15%) were able to clearly define the concept of transition investing [2] before being presented with a formal definition and examples. This highlights the ongoing need for investor education and clearer market guidance. To help bridge this gap, Standard Chartered has launched a Transition Investing Guide designed to support clients in assessing credible opportunities and contributing meaningfully to the global transition. -Ends- Khaled Abdulla, CFA® Director, Head of Communications Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing United Arab Emirates About the Sustainable Banking Report 2025 The Sustainable Banking Report 2025 surveyed high-net-worth individuals with assets under management of USD1 million or more across eight key markets – Hong Kong, India, Mainland China, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates. A total of 1,600 respondents, aged 25 to 66 years old, participated in the survey in Q4 2024. Transition Finance at Standard Chartered We align ourselves to our Transition Finance Framework, which sets out the assets and activities that qualify under a 'transition' label when we undertake Transition Finance. Our Transition Finance Framework defines Transition Finance as any financial service provided to clients to support them aligning their business and / or operations with a 1.5-degree trajectory and is informed by the 2023 International Energy Agency Net Zero Emissions 2050 scenario. Standard Chartered We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world's most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good. Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. [1] Transition Investing is a sub-set of Sustainable Investing. It refers specifically to investing with the ambition of supporting and enabling the transition to a low carbon economy. This expands impactful investments to those outside of traditional climate solutions (e.g. renewable energy), to include companies in high-carbon sectors which have credible plans to align or maintain alignment of their business with a net zero trajectory. This can include organisations in sectors such as steel, and cement, but also companies which enable the transition of these sectors (e.g. scrap steel producers). [2] Survey respondents were first asked an open-ended question on what they think transition investing is about before they were presented with a definition and examples.
Zawya
02-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Standard Chartered enhances payment security and efficiency in the UAE with new beneficiary validation solution
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Standard Chartered announced today the launch of Beneficiary Validation of accounts domiciled in the UAE – a cutting edge solution designed to bolster client confidence and improve domestic payment processes across the UAE. Developed in partnership with the Central Bank of UAE, this innovative solution allows corporate clients to verify payee details before processing domestic payments, ensuring accuracy and security while mitigating the risks of fraud and transaction failures. By integrating this service, Standard Chartered becomes one of the pioneers among international banks in the UAE to offer such a capability locally. Mahesh Kini, Global Head of Cash Management at Standard Chartered, said: 'Introducing the Beneficiary Validation Service marks a significant milestone for Standard Chartered in the UAE. This solution not only streamlines domestic payments but also complements our existing Global Payment Pre-Validation Service for cross-border transactions. It is a crucial step towards building a robust payment infrastructure that supports the adoption of instant payment schemes, thereby catalysing economic activities, while reducing errors and preventing fraud." Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer, UAE, Middle East and Pakistan, at Standard Chartered, added: 'This collaboration with the Central Bank of the UAE marks a significant step in advancing the country's payment infrastructure. The launch of the New Beneficiary Validation solution underscores our unwavering commitment to supporting the UAE's ambitious digital transformation agenda and reinforcing its position as a leader in financial innovation. By enhancing payment security and efficiency, we are not only addressing critical client needs but also contributing to the UAE's broader economic vision of fostering a secure, resilient, and globally connected financial infrastructure.' Payment friction, estimated to cost over US$2 billion annually, is largely attributed to avoidable errors such as typos, incorrect beneficiary details, and formatting issues, according to Swift, the international payment network. The Beneficiary Validation Service addresses these challenges by validating IBAN details prior to transaction initiation, thereby reducing errors and enhancing confidence in the payment ecosystem. Standard Chartered We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world's most dynamic markets and serving clients in a further 64. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good. Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges.
Tahya Masr
15-05-2025
- Business
- Tahya Masr
Standard Chartered opens representative office in Morocco
Standard Chartered today announced the opening of its new representative office in Morocco, further expanding its footprint across the Middle East and North Africa region. The launch follows the licence approval from Bank Al-Maghrib and the award of the Casablanca Finance City status by the Casablanca Finance City Authority. The representative office will be led by Cynthia El Asmar, who has been appointed CEO and Head of Coverage for Morrocco, subject to regulatory approvals. She brings extensive experience in client coverage across the region and will be responsible for driving the Bank's local strategy and deepening client relationships. This expansion underscores Standard Chartered's long-term commitment to the region and reflects its strategy of supporting clients in high-growth, internationally connected markets. Morocco's strong economic fundamentals and strategic location position it as an increasingly important destination for global trade and investment. Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer, UAE, Middle East and Pakistan said: 'Our global network, sector expertise and financing capabilities mean that Standard Chartered is uniquely positioned to support Morocco's ambitious growth agenda. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Bank Al-Maghrib and the Casablanca Finance City Authority for their invaluable support in enabling the successful opening of our representative office. This launch reinforces our commitment to connecting clients to high-growth markets across continents and supporting regional economic development.' Cynthia El Asmar, CEO and Head of Coverage for Morocco added: 'Morocco's location positions it favourably as a bridge between Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. Structural reforms continue to improve the country's capacity to attract FDI and enhance its overall competitiveness, leaving it well placed to benefit from any adjustment in trade flows or realignment in global supply chains. We are delighted to establish our office in Morocco and are ready to support our clients capture the many growth opportunities the country has to offer.' Standard Chartered's new representative office Morocco follows the launch of a fully-fledged banking operation in Egypt in early 2024 and Saudi Arabia in 2021. The office will enable Standard Chartered to broaden and deepen relationships with international businesses, particularly in the agro-industrial, automotive, aeronautics, and renewable energy sectors . Morocco is the sixth largest economy in Africa. Its economy expanded 3.2 percent in 2024 and GDP growth is expected to increase to around 3.7 percent over the next few years. This is supported by a new series of infrastructure projects and the continued implementation of the country's structural reform agenda . Over the past decade, Standard Chartered has collaborated closely with the banking sector in Morocco, developing strong relationships with all major players. The representative office will serve as a platform to deepen those partnerships and deliver tailored banking solutions to multinational and regional clients.
