Bank awarded ICT Achievement Award

23 October 2011 (Doha, QATAR) - Qatar First Investment Bank (QFIB), Qatar's independent Islamic investment bank, was awarded the prestigious BFSI Deployment of the Year Award by Computer News ME's (CNME). QFIB, amongst 13 other financial institutions  shortlisted for The  ICT Achievement Awards 2011, was honoured for taking a major step  in embracing cloud technologies for Core Banking, Email, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).

The award was presented at a gala evening function which was held at The Monarch Hotel in UAE, Dubai where more than 350 delegates from the region's ICT sector attended.

"Our IT strategy has always been to adopt global best practices and latest standards of technology to support the growing needs of the business. This award comes as a testimony to the leading role our IT team has played in the transforming the business." commented Emad Mansour, QFIB's CEO.

QFIB has taken a major stride in embracing cloud technologies, not only for email but also for ERP and other core banking applications. It has also been actively pursuing certifications in COBIT and ITIL making IT central to leading transformation within the business.

QFIB is the first investment bank in Qatar to receive such an accreditation for its IT Department and Data Center. Earlier this year, The Bank received the ISO 27001 international certification.

The ICT Achievement Awards organized by Computer News ME (CNME), the premier 'technology in business' magazine of the Middle East, recognizes the achievers and trend-setters of the IT industry in the region.

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About QFIB
Qatar First Investment Bank (QFIB) is a pioneering Islamic investment bank well positioned to work across the broader GCC and MENA region.   QFIB is unique in Qatar, simultaneously independent and central to the market, providing clients and counterparties with access to one of the region's deepest pools of capital. Adopting an investment strategy that centres on sector and geographical diversification, QFIB focuses on sectors that benefit from key drivers of economic change; these include the energy, financial services, industrials, real estate and health care services. Since inception in 2009, QFIB has executed a number of transactions in five different sectors across three geographies.

QFIB offers Principle Investments, Asset Management and Corporate Finance Advisory services.  Relationships drive QFIB's dynamic business strategy; the leadership team has an entrepreneurial outlook that encourages innovation and creativity in meeting client needs. The Bank's medium to long-term view ensures clients can benefit from the leadership's insight and connections.

QFIB operates to the highest of international business regulatory standards and corporate governance.  The first independent Shari'ah compliant investment bank is licensed by the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) and is ISO 27001 certified.

Media Contact:      
Samar Atassi
Head of Corporate Communications
Qatar First Investment Bank
Direct: +974 448 3355
Fax   +974 444 3560
Email: samar.atassi@qfib.com.qa
P.O. Box 28028 Doha, Qatar

© Press Release 2011