Karim Helal started his career in banking in 1972 at the Arab African International Bank as the Head of International Finance Department. Later, he moved to Bahrain to establish the AAIB’s OBU subsidiary. 

In 2008, he returns to Cairo as the group CEO of CI Capital Holding and since then, he has led the company to new heights. 

In 2008, he returned to Cairo as the group CEO of CI Capital Holding and since then has led the company to new heights. Karim initiated the launch of a LE 250mn SME focused private equity fund and launched the CI Capital “Look East” initiative.  He also led CI Capital investment banking deals and transactions which resulted in CI Capital becoming the best investment Bank in Egypt according to the Egyptian Stock Exchange.

Karim is the former chairman of ADIB Capital, the investment banking arm of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank. He is the currently the managing director for corporate finance at Carbon Holding, the Chairman of Asia Egypt Business Association and member of the National Committee for State Assets.