Deutsche Bank sponsors a Key Sagia Initiative in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh.- As a sign of its solid commitment to Saudi Arabia and in recognition of the tremendous investment potential the Kingdom represents, Deutsche Bank announced today its backing of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority’s (“SAGIA”) National Competitive Center (“NCC”).

Deutsche Bank’s sponsorship of the NCC will, among other things, see Deutsche Bank assume a position on the financial advisory cluster, which will put forward recommendations on the development of the financial sector in the Kingdom.

The newly established NCC is seen as an important catalyst in the Kingdom’s drive towards competitiveness and comes as part of Saudi Arabia’s endeavours to create a pro-business environment.

Henry Azzam, CEO of Deutsche Bank for the Middle East & North Africa region said “Our endorsement of the NCC comes as a manifestation of Deutsche Bank’s solid commitment to Saudi Arabia and to becoming an active and involved corporate citizen. The Kingdom has witnessed great economic transformation over the last few years, and we are looking forward to assuming an active and constructive role in this drive, and to offering Deutsche Bank’s international expertise and local know-how towards the growth of the financial sector in Saudi Arabia.”

As part of its support of the NCC, Deutsche Bank has sponsored the annual Global Competitiveness Forum (“GCF”) set to take place in Riyadh in mid-January of this year. The conference, which was held for the first time in 2007, is an annual meeting of top business executives, international political leaders, selected intellectuals, and academics who share an interest in global competitiveness.

Jamal Al Kishi, CEO of Deutsche Securities Saudi Arabia, said “Saudi Arabia has a regional and in certain cases global competitive advantage across a plethora of strategic sectors. In recent years the Kingdom has invested heavily towards making Saudi Arabia a natural choice for investors, by focusing on creating a world-class business environment ”

Abdul Mohsen Al Badr, CEO of the Global Competitiveness Forum, said “We are delighted with Deutsche Bank’s involvement in the GCF and their continued corporate contribution to Saudi Arabia in general. We very much look forward to the bank’s contributions as a leading global investment bank with an unrivalled track record in developing financial markets in a number of countries around the world”

Deutsche Bank opened its first branch in Riyadh in 2006. In 2007, Deutsche Securities Saudi Arabia, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bank was granted a license by the Capital Market Authority of Saudi Arabia to offer brokerage and custody services, as well as arranging, advising and providing investment funds management.



For further information, please call:

Deutsche Bank
Dana Budeiri
+971 4 361 1744
Head of Communications
Middle East & North Africa


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Deutsche Bank is a leading global investment bank with a strong and profitable private clients franchise. A leader in Germany and Europe, the bank is continuously growing in North America, Asia and key emerging markets. With 77,920 employees in 75 countries, Deutsche Bank offers unparalleled financial services throughout the world. The bank competes to be the leading global provider of financial solutions for demanding clients creating exceptional value for its shareholders and people.


Deutsche Bank in the MENA region

Deutsche Bank’s commitment in the MENA region is more than a century old, beginning with what is arguably one of the best known events in economic history: the construction of the Baghdad railway, in which Deutsche Bank participated as financier and operator.

Deutsche Bank opened its first office in Cairo in 1959, followed in the early seventies by an office in Bahrain. In 1999, Deutsche Bank embarked on a regional expansion drive across the GCC which began with the opening of an office in the UAE’s Capital Abu Dhabi in 1999, followed by two offices in Dubai: a representative office inaugurated in 2001 and a branch at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in 2005. In April of 2006, Deutsche Bank opened a branch in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the capital Riyadh. Most recently in January of 2007, Deutsche Bank received a license from the Qatar Financial Centre Authority to operate from there.

Deutsche Bank AG in the MENA region offers the full range of investment banking, asset management; private wealth management; and global transaction banking services.

Deutsche Bank’s AG is well recognized for its leading role on some of the most prestigious regional transactions. The Bank is the recipient of several awards for its activities in Islamic Finance; and was proclaimed in 2007 as the Best M&A Bank in Middle East & North Africa by Global Finance World.