We discuss SME’s with HH Sheikh Maktoum BIn Hasher Al Maktoum, SHUAA’s Exec. Chairman

SHUAA has been one of the top investment banks in Dubai and the region for some time, but it was hit hard after the financial crisis of 2008 slashed the value of its assets and cut access to credit. But the bank’s staged a comeback in recent months thanks to the massive restructuring programme put in place by their Executive Chairman His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Al Maktoum, who has led a number of debt turnarounds at firms like Al Fajer Properties. The bank managed to reduce its net losses by 80% last year by cutting jobs and closing its retail broking arm and says they’re now focusing on growing their lending business, with a particular focus on helping out SMEs; a sector that they say needs far greater support in the UAE.