Finance & markets

"Just recently, we have launched a strategy for the development of capital markets with other ministries, based on the Qatar National Vision 2030,” said His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al Thani QCB Governor.

Sustainable development of the Qatari economy highlighted at Euromoney Qatar Conference

by  — 10 December 2013

Senior Qatari leaders spoke today at The Euromoney Qatar Conference 2013, to discuss a new stage of sustainable development for the Qatari economy, and outline what the rise of Qatar means for the global economy. read more ›

Optimism among Middle East CFOs weak due to political uncertainties

by  — 3 December 2013

The recently released edition of Deloitte’s Global CFO Signals report finds that Chief Financial Officers optimism during the third quarter of 2013 has weakened over the past year in the Middle East due to the ongoing political uncertainties; A net 41 percent of Middle East CFOs feel optimistic about the prospects for their companies, this compared with a net 54 percent recorded 12 months ago. read more ›

Masraf Al Rayan announces offer to acquire Islamic Bank of Britain

by  — 2 December 2013

Qatari Islamic bank, Masraf Al Rayan have come to an agreement with the Islamic Bank of Britain (IBB) for a cash offer for the entire share capital of IBB, said a company statement. read more ›

Given the overall climate of anticipation for projects being launched, the Qatari market has seen greater money supply and a resultant pressure on margins, says Robin McCall, group CEO of al khaliji.

Strategising growth: An interview with the Group CEO of al khaliji bank

by  — 27 November 2013

In an exclusive interview with The Edge, Robin McCall, group chief executive officer of Al Khalij Commercial Bank (al khaliji) QSC, discusses his vision for the bank and what he calls his most important asset – the people – who are responsible for executing the plans for the institution. read more ›

Ooredoo launches USD1.25 billion, 5 year sukuk

by  — 27 November 2013

Telecom firm Ooredoo has announced the pricing of a USD1.25 billion (QAR4.55 billion) 5-year sukuk issuance, a first for the company. read more ›

Qatar Exchange suspends trading twice due to technical problems

by  — 19 November 2013

Qatar Exchange said today (Tuesday) that it has suspended all trading due to a technical problem.  read more ›

Richard Banks, regional director, Euromoney Conferences, tells The Edge that the unified regulatory strategy of Qatar will help develop the country’s capital market and make it a regional model for financial services.

Financing stable growth: From bonds to sukuk

by  — 18 November 2013

Richard Banks, regional director, Euromoney Conferences, in an exclusive interview with The Edge, offers his insights on Qatar’s role in the global financial world, the future of Qatar’s financial regulation, and how the sukuk and Islamic finance market could drive growth, all in the build-up to the Euromoney Qatar Conference 2013 to be held from 10 to 11 December. read more ›

QFC-Tower

Qatar business optimism index shows highest level of confidence in over three years

by  — 11 November 2013

According to the Business Optimism Index, Qatar has reached a three year high in the fourth quarter of 2013. The index reveals that optimism is at a level unsurpassed for 11 quarters. read more ›

Barwa Bank CEO discusses the bank’s business model

by  — 11 November 2013

CPI Financial has published its Top 100 Banks (in the GCC and the Levant) listing for 2012, based on six key variables – size of profits and balance sheet, growth rates of assets and liabilities, year-on-year growth in profits and return on equity – according to which Barwa Bank has moved up three places (from 41 in 2011 to 38). In an exclusive interview, Steve Troop, CEO of Barwa Bank spoke to The Edge about the bank’s business model and what the CPI ranking means to the institution. read more ›

QFC releases first Asia Reinsurance Barometer

by  — 6 November 2013

Overall, says Qatar Financial Centre, the reinsurance business sentiment in Asia is strong despite the outlook on pricing and profitability for the next twelve months slightly waning. read more ›

WestBay-Doha

Avoiding litigaton in Qatar

by  — 26 October 2013

Whether it is a multi-billion dollar investment dispute, or a high-tech commercial contract or a shipping deal gone wrong, there are key themes that emerge in litigation and international arbitration. Professor Khawar Qureshi QC, cites some recent examples from the GCC that serve as ample warning for businesses in the region. read more ›

Qatar Exchange expected to be among most active GCC exchanges over next 12 months

by  — 21 October 2013

Whilst the regional and international equity markets have generally been depressed post global financial crisis, early signs of recovery are appearing with higher volumes being traded on some of the regional exchanges, and more interest from foreign investors. read more ›

Yvette Burghgraef-van Eechoud, Dutch Ambassador to Qatar tells The Edge that‬ the Dutch are obsessed with quality, which leads to their innovative approach and high efficiency.

Qatar and the Netherlands: Building on gas trade and technology exchange

by  — 21 October 2013

Energy, especially gas, has linked Qatar and the Netherlands for a long time and in a meaningful way. While that component of bilateral ties will continue to deepen, Yvette Burghgraef-van Eechoud, Dutch Ambassador to Qatar tells The Edge’s Aparajita Mukherjee that she is keen to see the relations widen to include other sectors such as maritime, logistics and agriculture.  read more ›

Is the Doha banking sector prepared to fund the country’s major projects?

by  — 20 October 2013

In tandem with the Qatar Vision 2030 and the fixed deadline of the 2022 World Cup, Qatar’s infrastructure agenda has assumed a proportion that lends itself to few global comparisons. In progress are public works authority Ashghal’s multiple projects, rail and metro construction and the airport completion and ports expansion plans, to name a few. These will require massive investment, and while the government will fund a sizeable part, both local and international banks are looking with increasing optimism at project finance. But how significant will this business be? Can the risks and the long-gestation periods associated with this sector justify the banks’ exposure? read more ›

Better growth prospects for Islamic banks

by  — 16 October 2013

Qatar’s four Islamic lenders will almost double their asset base to USD100 billion (QAR364 billion) by 2017, Standard & Poor’s has said in a report entitled Qatar’s Islamic Banks Are On A Fast Track To Growth. read more ›

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