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PRESSR: Faisal Al-Gharabally highlights transparency and collaboration as keys to success at third Kuwait Public-Private Partnership Conference
PRESSR: Faisal Al-Gharabally highlights transparency and collaboration as keys to success at third Kuwait Public-Private Partnership Conference
About this update from Gulf Bank K.s.c.
Gulf Bank concluded its platinum sponsorship and active participation in the third Kuwait Public-Private Partnership Conference, held at the Jumeirah Hotel, under the patronage of Her Excellency Eng. Noora Al-Fassam, Minister of Finance, Minister of State for Economic and Investment Affairs, and Chair of the Higher Committee for PPP Projects.Themed “Partnership Projects: A Promising Start to a New Era,” the event gathered key stakeholders to discuss the shifting dynamics and growing importance of Public-Private Partnerships in driving Kuwait’s development agenda.On the second day, speaking during a panel discussion titled “Shaping the Future of Partnership Projects in Kuwait to Ensure Success” Mr. Faisal Al-Gharabally, General Manager of International Banking at Gulf Bank, emphasized the importance of public sector confidence in proposed projects as a key enabler for banking sector engagement. He emphasized that encouraging all parties to participate in open and transparent discussions about concerns and solutions fosters trust and lays a solid foundation for successful financing.Mr. Al-Gharabally also pointed to other critical factors influencing banks’ willingness to finance Public-Private Partnerships, including project payment structures, legal and contractual frameworks, and risk allocation – emphasizing that the party managing the risk must also bear it. Transparency, he noted, remains the cornerstone of successful partnerships, along with granting banks the right to intervene if significant developments arise.Adding to the conversation, Ms. Shamayel Al-Marzouq, Assistant General Manager of Corporate Banking at Gulf Bank, delivered a presentation titled “Beyond Financing: How Banks Can Lead the Digital Future of Public-Private Partnership Projects.” She advocated for the banking sector to shift its role from conventional financing to becoming a catalyst for innovation, digital advancement, and sustainable growth, fully aligned with the vision and goals of Kuwait Vision 2035.Ms. Al-Marzouq stressed that the next phase of infrastructure development calls for banks to evolve from “silent funders” into active digital partners in national infrastructure projects. She highlighted the necessity of integrating banks within the digital ecosystem of Public-Private Partnerships to enable smooth digital connectivity, drive innovation, and boost operational effi...