Meftech, the region’s most prestigious financial technology exhibition upcoming in Abu Dhabi,UAE has announced a trio of global thought leaders as headline speakers.

Chris Skinner, CEO of Balatro Ltd, Jim Marous, owner of the Digital Banking Report and JP Nicols, bank innovation consulting expert, three of the world’s leading lights on financial technologies, head an impressive cast of keynote speakers at the exhibition at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on  March 13 and 14.

The stellar speaker line up is bolstered by the latest cutting-edge technology solutions that will be on display, which are disrupting the financial services industry across the globe.

Over one thousand executive level delegates are expected at this year’s event - its largest ever. Board level guests from some of the leading banks in the region have already confirmed their attendance including FGB, ADIB, Qatar Islamic Bank and Bahrain Islamic Bank.

Meftech has brought together more than 8,000 financial industry executives and over 1,000 technology providers to meet, network and do business since its inception. The delegates attending this year’s event are estimated to control 95 per cent of the $13billion spent on financial technology in the Middle East every year.

Chris Fountain, managing director of organisers Turret Media, said: “Meftech is the definitive platform where top decision-makers share insights with technology providers and collaborate to rethink financial services. Year after year, it attracts the financial industry’s best and brightest minds, serving as a conduit for innovative ideas and thinking.

“The 2017 event is shaping up to be particularly special due to the calibre of our three headline presenters. Chris Skinner is a noted banking industry futurist, Jim Marous is one the most influential people in banking and JP Nicols is a top 5 fintech influencer, therefore we know executives from financial firms throughout the region will want to hear what they have to say.”

Building upon Meftech’s rich pedigree of success, it will be expanded this year with a host of features including, a bespoke appointments-scheduling service enabling exhibitors to pre-arrange one-to-one meetings with hosted delegates and VIPs, on-site networking tools to maximise interaction between participants and a world class conference programme featuring a mix of keynote presentations, case studies and live demos.

Some of the world’s most advanced financial technology solutions will also be exhibited at the event including blockchain technologies, machine learning, and cyber security tools with some of the biggest global players snapping up a chance to showcase products to the hugely influential audience.

Speaking after the 2016 event Gopi Krishnan, CIO, Qatar Islamic Bank said: “Meftech has been getting better every year and this year was the best yet, with the participation of so many organisations across the spectrum of fintech and great presentations from renowned speakers.” – TradeArabia News Service