Middle East Global Advisors (MEGA) is the gateway connectivity and intelligence platform to opportunities in the rapidly developing economic region that stretches all the way from Morocco in the West to Indonesia in the East – The Middle East North Africa South Asia (MENASA) connection. We pride ourselves for being at the heart of these diverse markets for over 25 years.

25 Years of Growth, Excellence and Innovation

The genesis of Middle East Global Advisors (MEGA) goes back to 1993 in Dubai, when it was established as the premier platform for connecting professionals with topical insight and intelligence across many industries and countries. At one point, MEGA organized more than 50 annual gatherings covering everything from banking and finance to energy, information technology and infrastructure among many others.

The World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC), the Islamic banking industry’s flagship event, was conceived in Dubai 25 years ago with a small audience in the first few years to become the definitive industry forum attracting pioneers such as HRH Prince Mohammed Al Faisal & Shaikh Saleh Kamel the second year.

WIBC moved to Bahrain in recognition of its global position as the hub of Islamic banking & finance. Thus this event continues to be registered on the calendar of industry leadership over the years.

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Intelligence Platforms

MEGA continues to grow its portfolio of intelligence platforms to further extend our leadership position across the Banking, Insurance and Takaful, Islamic Capital Markets, Ethical Finance, and Islamic Project Finance segments. Each platform is developed over many years in order to further cement its number 1 position in its respective market.

In 1994 we founded the World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC), which at the time was one of the first conferences in the world to focus on this nascent industry. That first year we had 120 pioneering delegates and one sponsor. Today, more than a decade later and with more than 1,300 delegates from over 50 countries attending the conference each year, WIBC is an iconic brand recognised as the largest and most significant gathering of banking and finance leaders in this rapidly growing industry anywhere in the world.

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Your definitive source of intelligent insights on the financial and political economy of the MENASA region.

06

Jun
Analysis & Outlook of ASEAN and Regional Economic Growth
June 6, 2016 ASEAN achievements: A success story since the GFC turmoil China and India: Regional partner-rivals Analysis & Outlook of ASEAN and Regional Economic Growth The World Economic Forum on ...
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01

May
IMF worries about downside risks in GCC but recovery in oil helps to reduce concerns
May 2, 2016 IMF worries about downside risks in GCC but recovery in oil helps to reduce concerns Opportunities amidst challenges-- A silver lining for SME growth in the GCC...
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25

Apr
Islamic finance – Driving UAE’s sustainable development goals
April 25, 2016 Islamic finance - Driving UAE's sustainable development goals GCC banks face bottom line pressures even as loan demand continues. FAST FINANCE Despite the failure of the talks ...
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18

Apr
An uncertain road ahead for oil prices out of the Doha talks
April 18, 2016 An uncertain road ahead for oil prices out of the Doha talks Expecting a tailwind from lower oil, emerging economies get an unpleasant surprise FAST FINANCE...
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05

Apr
Closing the human capital gap in the takaful industry
April 5, 2016 Closing the human capital gap in the takaful industry Sukuk issuance from GCC governments could surge in 2016 to finance budget deficits FAST FINANCE Stabilization is ...
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27

Mar
Alignment of form with ethical values is the best way forward for Islamic finance
In this issue… Alignment of form with ethical values is the best way forward for Islamic finance Extending the institutional investor base in the Middle East insurance market FAST FINANCE The Bank of Japan retained ...
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20

Mar
Huge rise in GCC sovereign issuance to support Takaful stability
In this issue… Huge rise in GCC sovereign issuance to support Takaful stability Sustainalytics tracks the pulse of responsible finance FAST FINANCE The Federal Reserve made waves, following the easing of policy in the European ...
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13

Mar
MSCI study: more transparency needed about ESG integration by investors
In this issue… MSCI study: more transparency needed about ESG integration by investors Using Islamic finance to manage social and governance impact of leverage adds value to traditional ESG approaches   FAST FINANCE Investors have been ...
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06

Mar
Making Islamic banking ‘bail-in-able’
In this issue… Making Islamic banking ‘bail-in-able’ Islamic development bank sukuk prices tightly with sizeable joint arranger investment FAST FINANCE As the Islamic finance industry across emerging markets expands, it will struggle to find a ...
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28

Feb
Retail sukuk can be an important tool for boosting domestic savings rates
In this issue… Retail sukuk can be an important tool for boosting domestic savings rates GCC Islamic banks should prepare for international acquisitions in 2016 and beyond FAST FINANCE Divisions at the G-20 came through ...
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22

Feb
GCC governments hold the keys to the green sukuk opportunity
In this issue… GCC governments hold the keys to the green sukuk opportunity Malaysia’s Investment Account Platform can be the catalyst for changes needed in Islamic banking FAST FINANCE Lower oil prices were cited as ...
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15

Feb
Islamic asset management set to grow in Turkey and could help attract responsible investment
February 15, 2016 In this issue… Islamic asset management set to grow in Turkey and could help attract responsible investment Qatar’s Islamic bank profits depend on health of real estate and consumer financing...
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08

Feb
Capital raising at GCC banks
February 8, 2016 In this issue… Capital raising at GCC banks Responsible finance benefits from Islamic finance growth in Asia FAST FINANCE As equity markets tumble, a key Fed official has ...
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01

Feb
In addition: Nigeria’s infrastructure sukuk and how Islamic finance and good governance Interplay
February 01, 2016 In this issue… Nigeria’s infrastructure sukuk will support growth but necessary investment highlights role for the private sector Islamic finance and good governance are mutually supportive...
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25

Jan
As Emerging Market current accounts turn to deficit, the need to incorporate responsible finance rises
25th January 2016 In this issue… As emerging markets fall out of favor, companies that are open to investors who practice responsible finance could find a patient source of capital Part 2 of our annotated version of Breakingviews Predictions 2016 looks at Basel IV and Islamic banks and how ...
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18

Jan
Looking forward to the year ahead with Reuters’ Breakingviews
In this issue: Impact on the MENASEA region from Thomson Reuters' Breaking Views 2016 Predictions - Funding deficits, better financial reporting and too much debt & financial engineering Islamic finance powering Nigeria’s future economic growth   January 18 2016 FAST FINANCE Iran’s re-entry into the global economy is moving ahead as the ...
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11

Jan
Faith-based values and ethical finance
FAST FINANCE The sound of squeaking tires echoed across the financial world as investment bankers pulled their cars to the side of the road as they heard news of the possible IPO by Saudi Aramco.  If completed, it would be the biggest public company in the world and its initial ...
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03

Jan
Research confirmed: ESG is positive or neutral for financial performance
In this issue: ESG-Financial Performance Link Explored - The right question about performance may be how much does the evidence support a positive link Saudi Arabia's Budget Gets a Buffer - The new Saudi budget is notable for all its ...
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21

Dec
The U.S Fed Finally Hiked Rates: What is its Impact on the MENASEA Economies?
FAST FINANCE The subject captivating global investors during the last week was the resolution of the big question: when will the Federal Reserve complete its first rate hike and how will global assets react. Although equity markets have dropped in the U.S. since the policy change occurred, it is still too ...
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14

Dec
Islamic Crowdfunding – a Global Perspective from Singapore
FAST FINANCE Ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting on December 15-16 where all signs are the Fed will commence a gradual rise in rates, oil markets continue to be under pressure.  In part this reflects the effect of a stronger dollar, as well as new estimates from the International Energy Agency ...
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07

Dec
How oil could return to triple digits – Q&A with Emad Mostaque
FAST FINANCE Thank you to everyone who joined us in Bahrain last week for the World Islamic Banking Conference. We were very pleased with the level of discourse that the event generated and have taken note of the feedback we received at the event itself as well as through our Twitter. ...
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23

Nov
Hong Kong benefits from RMB internationalization & could facilitate China-related capital market development including sukuk
FAST FINANCE China announced that it would provide $10 billion in infrastructure loans to Southeast Asian countries and $560 million in loan to low-income ASEAN nations. In doing so, it paves the way for the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank which is expected to launch ...
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16

Nov
Time for the IMF to help strengthen Islamic Banking data
Time for the IMF to help strengthen Islamic Banking data There an absence of internationally comparable data in Islamic finance which hinders the ability of stakeholders—those within the industry, those responsible for regulating it and most importantly customers and their advocates—to get an accurate picture of the stability of Islamic financial ...
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09

Nov
Islamic finance to be instrumental in supporting Morocco’s’ future growth goals
FAST FINANCE Strong employment gains in the US during October and testimony given by Janet Yellen in front of Congress this week are raising expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise rates at its December meeting. The rise in US rates, if it occurs as expected, could boost efforts ...
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02

Nov
Bank of Khartoum microfinance unit leverages zakat in Islamic microfinance
FAST FINANCE Global monetary policy continues to be a driving force in global equity markets as well as for commodity prices that are important for emerging markets across the MENASEA region. Since last week’s issue where we mentioned an increasing likelihood that the European Central Bank would add more stimulus ...
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26

Oct
Q&A with WIBC 2015 Keynote Speaker Dr. Hani Findakly
FAST FINANCE Mario Draghi is set to act again to fight growing deflationary threats in the Eurozone and the ECB has set its December meeting as the place where it will decide whether to increase its current 60 billion euro asset purchase program.  Draghi has not ...
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18

Oct
Nobel Laureate in Economics, Angus Deaton: “Economic growth is the engine of the escape from poverty and material deprivation.”
FAST FINANCE China's GDP reports are of critical importance for emerging markets throughout the MENASEA region, but particularly those in Southeast Asia that depend on Chinese growth to support their own economies. The 6.9% growth rate for the September quarter in China (beating estimates) could indicate some stabilization for emerging markets ...
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11

Oct
Islamic Leadership in Emerging Markets
FAST FINANCE Uncertainty about Malaysia’s troubled quasi-sovereign fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) rose during the week as the Attorney General, who replaced a predecessor who was removed in July, declined to push forward with charges against anyone involved in the fund. The central bank, meanwhile, decided that unspecified investments abroad by ...
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04

Oct
Fintech – A Disruptive Force For Islamic Financial Intermediaries?
The 28 September issue of Finance Forward did not identify that Michael Bennett, Head of Derivatives and Structured Finance for the World Bank contributed the first article on the IFFIm sukuk. We regret the omission. FAST FINANCE The continuing emissions scandal at Volkswagon continues and VW faces the expensive task ...
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28

Sep
IFFIm sukuk provides introduction for social responsibility-focused investors on Islamic finance
FAST FINANCE Last week, volatility rose again when on Friday, US Federal Reserve chairwoman Janet Yellen reiterated that rates would likely rise before the end of 2015 despite its earlier delay on emerging market growth concerns.  While developed markets are seeing some slowing growth as a result of Chinese economic worries ...
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20

Sep
Malaysia corporate sukuk primary markets showing higher risk premiums but not distress
Fast Finance The US Federal Reserve will not raise interest rates, at least yet.  Following the Fed’s announcement on Thursday, the dollar fell against many currencies (including MENASEA regional currencies that have been hammered as of late).  To the extent that the Fed’s concern for Emerging Market turmoil allows it to ...
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13

Sep
Will Turkey’s Participation Banking industry sustain its growth momentum?
FAST FINANCE Continued dives in major emerging market currencies including the Ringgit, Lira and Real continues. Of these three, all had investment grade ratings before Brazil’s was cut by Standard & Poor’s from BBB- to BB+. The first move on Brazil’s sovereign ratings could be indicative of cuts to other ...
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07

Sep
HRH Sanusi on departure from Nigeria’s central bank: I am at peace. When it was time for me to go, I left
FAST FINANCE We thank everyone who attended the Global Ethical Finance Forum (GEFF) in Edinburgh, Scotland last week. One of the audience polls taken during a session at GEFF found that 82% of delegates believed that it was always important for investors to incorporate their morals and values in the financial ...
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31

Aug
BIS warns of effect of rising ‘world’ interest rate but some data disagrees
FAST FINANCE The impact of commodity price, currencies and the Shanghai market’s volatility finally spills into developed countries’ equity markets but the effect was short-lived as NY Federal Reserve President William Dudley said a rate hike was ‘less compelling’ now than several weeks ago.  Dudley’s remarks were followed later in ...
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23

Aug
Currency depreciation – an Emerging Market Achilles heel or an opportunity for growth?
FAST FINANCE The surprise announcement that China would allow the renimbi to depreciate by 4.4%, thrust currencies into the spotlight. The term ‘currency war’ is back since it was popularized in 2010 by Brazil’s former finance minister Guido Mantega.  Now, the competitive devaluations are spreading across the MENASEA region raising the ...
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17

Aug
Will billions in bond issuance plug the hole in Saudi Arabia’s shrinking foreign reserves?
Fast Finance Last week marked the end of Renminbi’s twenty-one year old peg with the US dollar as Chinese Yuan fell by 4.4 percent. This move came at the back of weakened Chinese economy due to a drop in industrial production as well as a slackened demand for consumer products. Emerging ...
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13

Aug
Conventional banks could lay foundation for sukuk secondary market in West Africa
A report from Standard & Poor’s highlights an interesting development in sukuk markets in West Africa, in a report with several other interesting points.  Towards the end of the report, it highlights that the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) is allowing Senegal’s​​ sukuk to be used in repo transactions ...
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10

Aug
Silk Road Sukuk & Interview with BRAC International
FAST FINANCE As Brent crude falls below the $50/bbl, pressure rises on many oil exporters to finance rising budget deficits to preserve their investments saved up during years with higher prices. Saudi Arabia, in particular, is likely to be active in bond issuance and its SR 15bn ($4bn) issuance in ...
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03

Aug
Regrouping to build takaful markets in the UAE
Fast Finance Talks over the Trans-Pacific Partnership stumbled and one of the sticking points deals with the Japanese auto supply chain which includes non-TPP countries like Thailand.  The Japanese auto industry believes that strict rules about origin could harm it which show the complications of a regional approach to trade ...
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29

Jul
IDB could aid its support for sustainable development by integration of ESG
The Islamic Development Bank made a big declaration when, at a development finance event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia organized by the UN, it announced a 15 year, $150 billion commitment to financing related to the Sustainable Development Goals. The commitment follows investment of $80 billion towards the Millennium Development ...
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Highlights of GEFF 2015

Introducing WIBC Enterprise Excellerate: Embracing Disruption, Fostering Innovation

ME Global Advisors in conversation with Dr. Adnan Chilwan, CEO of Dubai Islamic Bank at WIBC Asia 2015

Keynote Speech of Baroness Sayeeda Warsi at WIBC 2014

BBC’s “Talking Business with Linda Yueh” covering Islamic Finance

ME Global Advisors in conversation with Adnan Ahmed Yousif, President & Chief Executive of Al Baraka Banking Group at WIBC Asia 2014