I wrote a post recently on my LinkedIn profile introducing my upcoming FinTech Tour of the GCC. Here’s a brief screenshot:

I thought I’d post here too just to keep those who follow updated. The brief synopsis of my update was that, having finished my role as Chief Transformation Officer at Sohar International in Oman, I finally have the opportunity to visit the other GCC countries to observe first hand how the FinTech and banking ecosystems are developing.

The answer is fast. I know this already. I know from the comments, updates and news that flies into my inbox and social media apps on an almost real time basis. I know from the phone calls, WhatsApp messages and Zoom meetings I’ve been having for the longest time.

There’s so much going on that I resolved to be there in person to take a look and, ideally, shake the hands of just some of the movers and shakers in the region.

I was lucky enough to participate in many regular FinTech Networking events on behalf of my previous bank in Oman – so I got to meet so many talented entrepreneurs and FinTech specialists. However I didn’t manage to attend so many physical events in the region over the past few years. Covid didn’t help, of course. It was rather difficult to travel when land, air and sea borders were literally closed! And then, I did have a very demanding day job!

So I’m visiting the following countries over the next month or so:

• United Arab Emirates (principally Dubai and Abu Dhabi)
• Saudi Arabia (Riyadh)
• Kuwait (Kuwait City)
• Qatar (Doha)
• Bahrain (Manama)

I can’t wait. I will be posting on LinkedIn and here on FInTech Profile. I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to bother with Twitter as I’ve somewhat gone off it! (@ew4n).

If you have some suggestions for people I could meet who really pushing things forward in the FinTech and banking ecosystems, please would you connect me? Comment below or send me a note to [email protected] or get me via my ‘hello’ form at www.ewan.net.

I shall write some more soon!

(Note: In the photo above, it was genuinely -8 degrees in the UK at the time… bring on the Middle East heat!)