Performance Competitiveness of The

Regional Banking Systems

The world banking industry is passing today through a momentous period of an overwhelming transformation due to the technological developments , introduction of newly invented financial tools and trends of deregulation and globalization characterizing this period . The call for more liberalization between financial markets , which came within the context of the World Trade Organization agreements , has gained momentum , and concrete arrangements and procedures are being taken place towards this end .

 These drastic changes in the world financial markets are expected to have serious implications on the financial systems of countries within the region . Fierce competition predominant within existing financial markets , which is expected to further intensify as a result of the recent  trends within these markets , shall definitely influence the existing Middle East financial sectors .

 My presentation shall focus on the functioning of the competitive  banking systems within the region . In this respect , I will first touch upon the current conditions of the regional markets , with special emphasis on the banking industry sectors . Then , I shall overview the stage of transformation , which regional banking sectors are likely to venture into , and the resulting challenges expected to be encountered by these sectors . Eventually , I will conduct an attempt to appraise the comparative viability and competitiveness of the regional banking systems in terms of selected financial indicators , and their ability to endure the severe consequences of the arising competition .