Abu Dhabi- Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 7 November 2025:
UAE Banks Federation (UBF), the sole representative and unified voice of UAE banks, has highlighted the importance of developing innovative financing solutions to support global trade amid growing challenges. This aligns with the UAE’s strategic priorities, which focus on facilitating global trade flows to achieve the sustainable development goals.
Mr. Jamal Saleh, Director General of UBF, and Chairman of SWIFT User Group Steering Committee in the UAE,
As part of its ongoing efforts to explore and develop innovative financial products and services that address global trade challenges, UBF, in collaboration with the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) and Asia House, the leading global think tank and platform for international engagement dedicated to fostering meaningful dialogue between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, participated in a high-level roundtable discussion on “The Future of Cross-Border Finance and Trade: Solutions Without Borders.”
The roundtable gathered a distinguished group of decision-makers, senior executives from financial institutions and fintech companies, and providers of trade and supply chain facilitation solutions. Participants discussed developments in cross-border payments and trade finance, and explored innovative solutions that enhance speed, transparency, and security in global financial flows.
The event served as a key platform to discuss digital transformation, integration of financial systems, regulatory harmonization, and technological innovation as crucial elements for enhancing efficiency and resilience in global trade and finance.
Mr. Jamal Saleh, Director General of UBF, and Chairman of SWIFT User Group Steering Committee in the UAE, said: “The UAE plays a pivotal role in global trade and advanced financial solutions, serving as an international financial and banking hub and a vital link in global supply chains. With the ongoing efforts of the Central Bank of the UAE to build an interconnected financial ecosystem that supports trade, investment, and innovation, we at UBF are committed to strengthening partnerships with leading global institutions such as SWIFT and Asia House. Together, we aim to foster dialogue and knowledge exchange to develop future-ready solutions that enhance efficiency, transparency, and security in cross-border financial transactions.”
SWIFT enables more than 11,000 financial institutions and corporations in more than 200 countries and territories to connect and exchange financial information securely and reliably, enhancing trade and financial transactions.
Mr. Saleh added: “At UBF, we are actively contributing to the UAE’s strategic goals to double non-oil foreign trade to AED 4 trillion and increase non-oil exports to AED 800 billion by 2031. We are intensifying our efforts to simplify trade finance, improve payment operations, and enhance the efficiency and security of banking transfers in order to provide optimal solutions that boost trade exchange in a trusted and seamless environment.”
Discussions during the roundtable also highlighted the role of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and data analytics in improving cross-border financial operations. Participants explored how the UAE’s strategic location and forward-looking trade strategies, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA) signed with over 27 global trading partners, can facilitate trade flows between Asia, Europe, Africa, and beyond.
The dialogue further underscored the importance of strengthening public-private partnerships, enhancing regulatory and compliance frameworks, and supporting the transition towards more inclusive, integrated, and sustainable financial systems.
In line with its ongoing commitment to advancing the UAE’s banking sector, the UAE Banks Federation continues to work closely with member banks, regulatory authorities, and international partners to foster innovation, resilience, and trust in the UAE’s financial ecosystem.
Recognising the vital role of payment systems in global trade and economic development, UBF has established the SWIFT Steering Committee Group and the National SWIFT Users Group to improve payment and strengthen the efficiency and security of banking transfers. The group, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, provide an ideal platform for knowledge exchange and strategic dialogue, benefiting from SWIFT’s global expertise to advance banking practices.
UBF has also launched the SWIFT Users Training Centre, another regional first, to train and empower banking professionals and members of the SWIFT Users Group in the UAE. The centre elevates performance standards in line with global best practices in payments and financial operations.
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About UAE Banks Federation (UBF):
Established in 1982, UAE Banks Federation (UBF), the sole representative and unified voice of UAE banks, comprising 64 members of banks and financial institutions operating in the UAE. UBF advocates the interests of all its members and enhances cooperation and coordination between them in order to elevate the UAE’s banking ecosystem for the benefit of members, customers, and the overall UAE economy.
UBF’s mission and objectives are focused on representing its members and defending their rights and interest. UBF provides a platform for cooperation and the exchange of ideas and expertise among its members and plays a significant role in raising public awareness about the contributions of the UAE banking sector to the economic and social development of the country.
UBF has a 22-member Advisory Council consisting of CEOs and General Managers from member banks and financial institutions, which oversees the implementation of UBF’s policies and activities. The CEOs Council also makes directional decisions through UBF’s General Secretariat for UBF’s 28 technical and 6 advisory committees, which in turn are tasked to discuss all issues relevant to the UAE banking and financial services ecosystem. UAE Banks Federation also includes a CEOs Consultative Council, which consists of chief executives of other member banks.