Oxford Business Group's publication provides detailed analysis of banking sector's performance

Abu Dhabi, 15 January 2015: The key part that Abu Dhabi's financial institutions are playing in driving the emirate's long-term economic development plans will be explored in a forthcoming report to be produced by the global publishing firm, Oxford Business Group (OBG).

The Report: Abu Dhabi 2015 will provide detailed analysis of the sector's performance, with a particular focus on the 'big five' lenders, who all recorded net profits and increased lending last year. There will be in-depth coverage of the contribution that Abu Dhabi's banks are making to the emirate's major projects as they gain momentum. The publication will also look at the move under way amongst major players to source new business beyond the UAE's borders, with the growing economies of West Africa and East Asia proving to be choice destinations.

The big lenders' expansion strategies are also a focal point of OBG's latest Economic Update on the emirate. The update, which can be found on the Group's website, mulls the potential that the established cities and expanding hubs in the West-East corridor hold for Abu Dhabi. It also considers how the emirate's lenders performed in the first half of 2014.

The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) has once again signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on research with OBG for its latest report on the emirate's economy. Under the MOU, OBG will have access to the bank's resources to compile the Banking Chapter of The Report: Abu Dhabi 2015.

NBAD's Group CEO Alex Thursby said the bank's renewed partnership with OBG came at a time of significant activity across Abu Dhabi's economy, and the emirate's banking sector in particular. "The banks are playing a pivotal role in supporting Abu Dhabi's efforts to develop key sectors identified as ripe for growth under the government's economic diversification strategy," he said. "We look forward to exploring the latest developments in the sector with Oxford Business Group and contributing once again to its research."

OBG's Managing Editor Oliver Cornock agreed that Abu Dhabi's banking sector was proving to be a key facilitator of the emirate's bid to broaden its economic base.

"While competition is fierce across Abu Dhabi's banking industry, especially in the retail segment, the UAE's strong fundamentals and strategic location have enabled the emirate's lenders to identify innovative ways of expanding, which make for interesting analysis," he said. "Our longstanding partnership with NBAD, which is now in its seventh year, will highlight the significance of these and other developments, while considering how they dovetail with Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030's objectives."

The Report: Abu Dhabi 2015 will be a vital guide to the many facets of the emirate, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and other sectoral developments. The publication will feature interviews with a broad range of leading personalities. The report will be available in print or online.

The Report: Abu Dhabi 2015 will be published in early 2015 and will be available for pre-order.

About Oxford Business Group
Oxford Business Group (OBG) is a global publishing, research and consultancy firm, which publishes economic intelligence on the markets of Middle East, Asia, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. Through its range of print and online products, OBG offers comprehensive and accurate analysis of macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, insurance, energy, transport, industry and telecoms.  The Report: Abu Dhabi 2015 will be produced in partnership with NBAD. 

The critically acclaimed economic and business reports have become the leading source of business intelligence on developing countries in the regions they cover. OBG's online economic briefings provide up-to-date in-depth analysis on the issues that matter for tens of thousands of subscribers worldwide. OBG's consultancy arm offers tailor-made market intelligence and advice to firms currently operating in these markets and those looking to enter them.

For more information please contact:
Oxford Business Group, 131-151 Gt Titchfield St, London, UK W1W 5BB
Stephanie Parker, Director of Communications
Phone: +44 207 403 7213
E-mail: sparker@oxfordbusinessgroup.com
www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com

© Press Release 2015