More than 400 leaders in the industry of fintech will gather in Dubai this month to showcase innovation in their sector, highlighting the future of fintech for the global and regional markets.

Held in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Finance, and showing off the latest products in action as well as boosting the UAE as an international hub for fintech, FinovateMiddleEast will take place from 26-27 February at the Madinat Jumierah Conference Centre.

The event will bring together early-stage start-ups, leading established companies, media, financial service institutions and funders drawn by the opportunity to see the future of fintech both regionally and globally.

Heather Stowell, Vice President of Finovate, a company with a large portfolio of events spanning across the globe, said. “We are really excited about bringing together start-ups, leading established companies, media, financial service institutions and funders next month to discuss the future of fintech.

“The UAE Ministry of Finance will explore how the region is leading the way in innovation and smart technology and give their perspective on the future of fintech globally.” 

The event’s congress will bring together the biggest and best global names in fintech to Dubai including countries such as Australia, China, India, Malaysia, UAE, UK and beyond. 

Keynote speakers over the two days will include: Ruth Wandhofer, MD, Global Head Regulatory and Market Strategy, Citi; Jim Marous, Author and Publisher, The Financial Brand and Digital Banking Report; Paul Schulte, Founder, Schulte Research; Mike Cunningham, CEO, Clearly; Bryan Stirewalt, Managing Director, Supervision, DFSA; Sameer Singh Jaini, Fintech Asia top 100 influencer and CEO, Digital Fifth; Mark Hewlett, Zhi Ying Ng, Senior Analyst, Forrester; Devie Mohan, CEO, Burnmark; Farrukh Habib, Researcher, International Shariah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA); and Steve Naude, Head ME and Africa, TransferWise.

Exploring three principal areas in fintech including financial inclusion, emerging technologies (application of Ai and Blockchain technology) and how banks and fintechs can work better together, the event will focus on how the UAE is transforming from an oil-dependent economy to one led by fintech.

Other prominent topics throughout the two days will include a case study on an interbank Blockchain pilot featuring India and the UAE, how to reap the benefits from the changing environment in banking, how Malaysia is building a cryptocurrency and how banks and fintechs are working together in India.

Widely recognised as a landmark year for investing in financial technology in the Middle East, 2017 has paved the way for more investment opportunities, acquisitions and partnerships over the next 12 months.

Prominent companies such as EbankIT, munnypot, Dorsum, New Bridge, efigence, Ondot, RISQ, Wealth Migrate and ZagTrader are set to showcase and demonstrating their latest tech and products to delegates on the show floor.

Additionally, FinovateMiddleEast’s signature 7-minute demos will be a core feature of the show with start-ups and established companies delivering live demonstrations of their latest fintech innovations.

With over 40 marketing sponsors, FinovateMiddleEast is supported by strategic partner: the UAE Ministry of Finance; platinum sponsor: UAE Exchange; silver sponsor: Temenos; and bronze sponsors Loxon Solutions, Ortec Finance and Plug & Play.