Held in Washington from October 13 to 18

• Sami Mahfouz: We are committed to participating annually in the world’s largest economic forum.

Gulf Bank has concluded its participation in the 2025 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, which were held in Washington, D.C., from October 13 to 18. The event was attended by a large number of monetary and financial policymakers from around the world.

The Gulf Bank delegation was headed by Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr. Sami Mahfouz and included Mr. Faisal Aladasani, General Manager of Corporate Banking; Mr. Faisal Al-Gharabally, General Manager of International Banking; Ms. Lamia Karim, General Manager of Treasury; and Ms. Najla Aleisa, Chief Marketing Officer.

In this context, Mr. Sami Mahfouz emphasized the importance of participating in this significant global event, which brings together decision-makers from around the world to discuss the most pressing economic challenges of the day.

He stated that these meetings offer a valuable opportunity to enhance international cooperation, exchange insights on achieving sustainable development and economic balance, and support efforts to empower and increase the efficiency of the private sector, which is a key partner in the development process.

Mahfouz also praised the strong Kuwaiti representation and active participation from both the government and private sectors. He commended the efforts of the Kuwait Banking Association for organizing the special economic event at George Washington University.

The event included the annual meetings of the Boards of Governors of the IMF and the World Bank Group, attended by finance and development ministers, central bank governors, senior banking officials, private sector leaders, civil society representatives, parliamentarians, and academics. Discussions focused on globally significant issues such as economic outlooks, development, regional briefings, press conferences, and a variety of other activities centered on international development, economic growth, and the global financial system.

This year’s meetings addressed several urgent topics, including developments in the global economy, future economic trends amid current crises and global shifts, strategies to combat poverty, sustainable development, enhancing monetary cooperation, and promoting international trade.

The meetings also covered critical global concerns such as global economic prospects, poverty eradication, economic development, and aid effectiveness.

The annual meetings included sessions of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), the Development Committee, the Group of Ten (G10), the Group of Twenty-Four (G24), and various other member groups.

On the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings, the Gulf Bank delegation also participated in a reception at an economic event organized by the Kuwait Banking Association at George Washington University. The event was held in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and in academic partnership with Bentley University under the title:

“Kuwait: Beacon of a New Era – Foundations of Economic Transformation.”

The event was attended by Acting Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, and Acting Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs and Investment, Mr. Subaih Al-Mukhaizim; Kuwait’s Ambassador to the U.S., Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah; representatives of Kuwaiti banks; and a large number of participants in the meetings.