26 November 2025 | Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre, Kuwait City, State of Kuwait
Today, Wednesday, marks the opening of the twentieth regular meeting of the Arab Committee on Credit Information, hosted by the Central Bank of Kuwait and the Kuwait Credit Information Network (Ci-Net). The Committee operates under the Arab Committee of Central Banks and Monetary Authorities’ Governors, with the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) serving as its technical secretariat. Its membership includes directors of the credit-information departments at Arab central banks and licensed credit information companies across the region. Representatives from various regional and international institutions also participate in the committee’s meetings.
On this occasion, H.E. Dr. Fahad M. Alturki, Director General Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund, emphasized that the meeting serves as an important platform for exchanging experiences and enhancing coordination among Arab countries on priority issues in the field of credit information. His Excellency commended the efforts of Arab countries in strengthening the credit-information industry, noting that the sector is undergoing a transformative phase driven by technological advancement, artificial intelligence, and evolving regulatory frameworks, offering significant opportunities to enhance transparency and financial inclusion in the Arab region.
He highlighted that the share of adults accessing financing through formal channels remains below 20% in most Arab countries, while lending to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) accounts for only 8% to 22% of total credit, underscoring an urgent need to strengthen credit information exchange and to develop related products and services.
His Excellency added that the agenda of the twentieth meeting reflects this ongoing transformation through a set of strategic and forward-looking topics, including digital financial literacy, the use of artificial intelligence and cloud computing, data protection, legislative development, digital identity, and SME credit ratings. The sessions will also cover emerging market trends such as “Buy Now, Pay Later” models and the expanding use of credit information in the real estate, insurance, and telecommunications sectors.
H.E. Dr. Alturki reaffirmed that, under its new strategy, the Arab Monetary Fund continues to support its member countries in strengthening integration among credit information institutions and developing more efficient and reliable credit information systems—contributing to enhanced financial stability, responsible lending, and sustainable economic growth across the Arab region.