BNP Paribas appoints Reema Al Asmari as Head of Territory for Saudi Arabia

BNP Paribas has announced the appointment of Reema Al Asmari as Head of Territory for Saudi Arabia, reinforcing the bank’s corporate and institutional, CIB, presence in the region.

In her new role, Asmari will oversee the bank’s national commercial strategy, with a focus on strengthening relationships with strategic clients, multi-national corporates, and government related entities. She will also drive BNP Paribas’ product and service offering across all CIB metiers, including growth in areas such as sustainable finance.

Asmari takes over from Jean-Francois Sibille who becomes Head of Compliance, BNP Paribas Middle East and Africa. She will work alongside Ammar Pharaon who heads BNP Paribas’ Investment Company, BIC, also located in Riyadh.

Asmari joins BNP Paribas from Natixis, where she held the position of CEO for Saudi Arabia. Before joining Natixis, she worked for nine years with JPMorgan Chase & Co in Saudi Arabia. Her last role with the US bank was Treasury Services Country Head. Prior to that she was the Treasurer for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Johannesburg.

Speaking about her appointment, she said, “I am honoured to join BNP Paribas with the mission to grow the bank’s presence here in Saudi Arabia. As a dynamic bank which continues to evolve alongside Saudi’s ever changing business environment, I am enthusiastic about the opportunities to build upon its current success.”

Asmari will report to Amine Bel Hadj Soulami, Head of BNP Paribas Middle East and Africa and a member of the BNP Paribas’ MEA Executive Committee. Amine Bel Hadj Soulami said, “We are pleased to have Reema on board, strengthening our team with her in-depth knowledge of Saudi Arabia.  BNP Paribas has long recognised Saudi Arabia’s vital role in the overall development of the region since the bank became operational there in 2005.”