The Banking Innovation and Technology Summit in Doha (BIT’24 Doha) took place on May 27, 2024, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and disruptors. The event, held at the Ballroom at Grand Hyatt Doha, was organized by Khaleej Times in partnership with WeValue. The summit kicked off with an address by Khaleej Times’ CEO Ravi Tharoor, who emphasized the importance of innovation and progress in the banking and fintech sector in Qatar. He highlighted the diverse range of products and services offered to customers and the vibrant ecosystem of start-ups and accelerators driving fintech innovation in the region.
Tharoor also stressed the significance of collaboration and sustainability in driving success and creating a supportive ecosystem for innovation. Georges Khalil, Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company, presented insights from the global fintech report, highlighting the rapid growth of the industry and the importance of cost management, revenue optimization, and collaboration between banks and fintechs. The panel discussions at the summit covered various topics such as evolving payments landscape, green finance, customer needs and preferences, venture capital, AI-driven innovation, and innovative product strategies like buy now, pay later (BNPL).
Experts and speakers discussed the global shift towards a cashless society, the role of banks in promoting sustainable finance, innovative solutions using blockchain technology, and the integration of ESG risk assessment in banking operations. They also emphasized the need for faster and cheaper money movement to support the evolving payment industry. Furthermore, the importance of understanding human emotions, trust, communication, and cybersecurity in the banking industry was highlighted, along with the significance of super hyper personalization and the role of AI in marketing.
Hani Khateeb, a FinTech Specialist at Qatar FinTech Hub, discussed the success of Qatar FinTech Bay in supporting and managing FinTech start-ups, emphasizing the importance of regulatory frameworks and partnerships with fintech start-ups. The summit concluded with a keynote address by Gaurav Dhar, Group CEO of Marshal Fintech Partners, on embracing change and innovation in the MENA banking and fintech ecosystem. Overall, the BIT’24 Doha summit provided valuable insights, discussions, and recommendations for driving innovation and growth in the banking and fintech sectors in the region.
