Doha, 30 November 2010: IBQ has recently launched the 5th edition in its unique credit card merchant partner programme for the festive season. The promotion which began on the 15th of November will stretch until the 31st of January, and aims at rewarding customers' loyalty and enhancing their banking experience with a range of superb discounts, offers and savings across the most exclusive hotels and retailers in the country along with other savings on dining, travel and entertainment.  

Customers can enjoy these exclusive discounts, deals and savings across a range of top brand names including hotels, furniture shops, retail shops, travel agencies and more with their IBQ credit cards. Some of the offers include 10 to 50 per cent discounts at top hotels for room and weekend packages and across their selected restaurants and spas, up to 20% discount at a range of home and furniture shops, along with attractive discounts and other exclusive offers on travel packages, at brand retail shops and restaurants across Qatar.

Philip King, Head of Retail Banking at IBQ said: "At IBQ, we continuously look for innovative solutions that bring value-added benefits and excellent quality service to our customers' banking experience. We work hard to provide the best and most exclusive deals and offers for our customers whatever their tastes be it travel, dining, entertainment or shopping in addition to the 5% Cash Back on their purchases. This is a unique merchant programme in Qatar offering variety and choice throughout the year. There have already been four promotions including a hugely successful fine dining promotion at a series of 5-star hotels, and a special Ramadan offering. This long-term programme will bring together a cross-section of merchants offering customers choice as well as value further making IBQ credit cards the "Credit Card of Choice" in Qatar. We're happy to say that whatever you are planning this holiday season, IBQ credit cards offer you more."

IBQ's premium range of credit cards includes the IBQ Gold MasterCard, the IBQ Visa Platinum and the IBQ Visa Infinite. Since launch in last year the IBQ best-in-class credit cards with the unique 5% Cash Back offer have been moving from success to success. Month on month figures show a robust increase in new customer base. The bank has seen a massive take up of all the new cards. This range is supported by a full retail banking platform at IBQ including the Call Centre, online banking and SMS banking.

-Ends-

About The International Bank of Qatar (IBQ):
The International Bank of Qatar (IBQ) is a well established and rapidly growing commercial institution, offering a full range of retail, private and corporate banking solutions. IBQ has a strong commitment to build long-lasting relationships with its customers and provide them with excellent customer service with a focus on making banking simple, convenient and tailored to their needs. IBQ is one of the oldest existing banks in Qatar and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006. It has a growing network of 12 branches and 34 ATMs in strategic locations throughout Qatar.

In June 2009, IBQ was recognised as "the fastest moving bank" in the Middle East and North Africa region and the 26th fastest mover globally in The Banker magazine's Top 1,000 World Bank survey 2009. This commitment to customer relationships and best practice is reflected in the numerous awards won by the bank, including "Best Customer Service" award in 2008, 2009 and 2010 from Banker Middle East Magazine.

IBQ is 30% owned and managed by the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), the largest bank in Kuwait and the highest rated in the Middle East. IBQ is a growing bank that benefits from an international network as a result of its affiliation with NBK which gives its customers access to greater resources and a wide range of international services.  

For further information, please contact:
Hala Kassab
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
T: +974 4 4351 113 
F: +974 4 4351 511
E-mail : h.kassab@asdaa.com

Muna Khogali
International Bank of Qatar
Dir: +974 4 447 3017
Fax: +974 4 447 3710

© Press Release 2010