Doha, 10th November 2012 - QNB, the leading Bank in Qatar and the MENA region, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Qatar Society for the Rehabilitation of People with Special Needs to train and develop people with special needs and involve them in jobs that suit their type of disability.

QNB continues efforts to participate and contribute effectively in supporting the community, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility and commitment to play an active role in the development of Qatari society by providing the best support it can provide.

After providing the agreed on training, QNB will employ people with special needs with the support and guidance of the Qatar Society for the Rehabilitation of People with Special Needs. QNB aims to help these individuals secure rewarding careers and integrate them better into society.

The memorandum was signed by Mr. Ali Rashid Al Mohannadi, QNB's Executive General Manager/Chief Operation Officer and Mr. Rabia Bin Mohd Al Kaabi, the Deputy Chairman of the Qatar Society for the Rehabilitation of People with Special Needs.

Mr. Al Mohannadi stated that QNB aims at encouraging this important category of the society, who has special talents and skills, helping them to be more self confident and more giving, providing, at the same time, the life they have always dreamed of.

For his part, Mr. Al Kaabi, highlighted QNB's blessed initiative, as a great opportunity to continue supporting people with special needs and provide more vacancies in future, a matter that will boost their self estimation and encourage then to play a bigger role in this society.

Mr. Al Kaabi also stressed that QNB was one of the first institutions that offered to employ people with special needs and supported all other activities related to them.

This step comes in line with the Bank's vision towards this category, achieving their aspirations and provide the environment  that perfectly suits them.

The Qatar Society for the Rehabilitation of People with Special Needs strives to offer employment opportunities to people with several types of physical disabilities, with the aim of enhancing their lives by helping them achieve personal satisfaction from their work and know that the can rely on a stable source of income.

QNB believes that people with special needs are an integral part of the nation's social makeup and deserve equal employment opportunities to fulfill their potential and to perform alongside all other employees.

A number of QNB officials had earlier visited the Society to discuss the potential of these candidates, both in terms of skills and qualifications, in addition to reviewing specific areas in which the Bank can support and advance the employment of people with varying forms of disabilities.

About QNB Group
Qatar National Bank (QNB), established in 1964 as the country's first Qatari-owned commercial bank, has an ownership structure split between the Qatar Investment Authority (50%) and the private sector (50%).

QNB Group has steadily grown to be among the largest banks in the Middle East and North Africa Region and is by far the leading financial institution in the country with a market share exceeding 45% of banking sector assets.

QNB Group has witnessed rapid international expansion in the past few years and operates in 24 countries around the world through its network, subsidiaries and associate companies employing about 7,600 staff from 345 branch and offices that are supported by an ATM network that exceeds 670 machines.

The Group has also extended its regional reach by acquiring stakes in various financial institutions including 35% stake in the Jordan-based, The Housing Bank for Trade and Finance (HBTF), 24% in Commercial Bank International (CBI) based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 50% of the Tunisian-Qatari Bank, 51% in the Iraqi-based Mansour Bank, 49% in the Libyan Bank of Commerce and Development and 20% stake in Al Jazeera Finance Company in Doha. QNB Group also retains 51% stake in QNB-Syria, a private stock company established jointly with other Syrian private and public sector institutions which started operations mid November 2009 and operates today more than 15 branches in the Syrian Republic.

QNB Capital, a subsidiary of QNB Group, was established in 2008 providing an array of investment banking services to corporate, government and institutional clients within Qatar and globally. These include one of the best corporate finance teams in the GCC region offering extensive transaction experience, in depth advisory services - including mergers and acquisitions, equity, debt and project advisory, as well as first-class research capabilities. 

QNB Financial Services (QNB FS) commenced trading on the Qatar Exchange in May 2011 and is the first independently regulated, licensed brokerage unit launched by a bank in Qatar.  QNB FS brokerage offers a multi-market, multi-currency trading platform with access to several GCC markets including Qatar, UAE, and Oman.  It also provides a trading solution for buying and selling securities on the US and European markets.  QNB FS' technology platform is enhanced by its in-house research team who provide fundamental research and analysis, sector reviews, and daily commentary on QE listed equities.  Its advisory and brokerage teams are structured to service institutional investors, mutual funds, high-net worth individuals, retail and corporate clients locally, regionally, and globally. 

QNB Group is among the highest rated regional banks from leading credit rating agencies including Standard & Poor's, Moody's, Fitch, and Capital Intelligence. The Bank has also been the recipient of many awards from leading international specialized financial publications.

QNB Group has an active community support program and sponsors various social, educational, and sporting events

For further information, please contact QNB's Public Relations Department at (+974) 44252477, Fax (+974) 44252589, email: PR@qnb.com.qa or visit QNB's website www.qnb.com.qa

© Press Release 2012