As the Middle East-North Africa region transitions from a cash-centric society to digital-first, opportunities in the sector have burgeoned. In our interview this month we meet Gibraltar expatriate Elaine Vasquez FCCA who, as regional finance director for MENA at digital payments platform Checkout.com, is making her mark in the Middle East fintech space. Her advice for anyone planning a move to the sector: ‘Stay adaptable and embrace the constant innovation that fintech demands.’
In a positive step for the UAE business community, the government has mandated that private as well as listed companies should have at least one woman on their board. It’s good news for gender diversity and for businesses, but finding candidates with the experience and skills to fill these positions may not be straightforward. Our article explores the challenges.
Elsewhere we have a piece on the importance of remittances from migrants in the Indian diaspora. In 2024 India topped the rankings in this space, way ahead of China and Mexico, its closest rivals. With total remittances exceeding the combined contribution from foreign direct investment and official development assistance, the funds provide a welcome boost to India’s economy.
It this time of year when many of us reassess our priorities for the next 12 months, or our career direction well beyond that. So we have careers advice to support you if you’re looking around or just wanting to feel better about what you’ve got. ‘Steps to reach your personal goals’, ‘How to lead a happy life’, ‘Excel and exercise’ and ‘The rewards of non-executive directorships’ are just some of the ideas on offer.
Contributing to the theme, Saad Maniar, senior partner at Crowe UAE, shares a personal view of the rewards of a career in the audit profession. While he says the audit role provides opportunities to ‘collaborate with exceptional individuals from diverse backgrounds and contribute meaningfully’, he recognises the challenges of keeping up to speed with fast-moving developments in technology and regulation. ‘We have reached an inflexion point,’ he says, ‘[but] with the right mindset and investment, the profession has a bright future.’
