Doha, 02 January 2010 - Qatar National Bank (QNB) and the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) signed a sponsorship agreement confirming QNB as the Official Bank of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open Tennis Championships which is being held in Doha from 4-9 January 2010 at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash complex, located in the Dafna area of Doha.

The announcement was made at a press conference and signing ceremony held on Saturday, 2 January 2009, at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash complex.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Hamad Al Nuaimi, Assistant General Manager, Group Communications, QNB, and Mr. Nasser Ghanim Al Khelaifi, President of the QTF.

32 of the world's top tennis players will participate in the Qatar Exxonmobil Open.  Some of the top stars who have confirmed attendance include reigning ATP World Tour Champion Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, last year's runner-up in the ATP World Tour.

The lineup also includes, among other headliners, Russian Nikolay Davydenko who won the coveted ATP World Tour Finals in 2009, and France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, ranked tenth in the world, both of whom ended last season in great form.

Mr. Al Nuaimi said during the press conference that the bank was extremely pleased to be supporting this great global sport and this tournament for the 17th consecutive year.

Sport is an integral part of QNB's comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility program and sponsorship of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open is an extension of the Bank's commitment to the community. 

Mr. Al Nuaimi said tennis is one of the most widely followed sports and enjoys huge popularity in Qatar as well as attracts the world's top players to Doha. He said that QNB will strive to fulfill its role as a key sponsor of the tournament with the aim of promoting Qatar's sporting profile and the country's ability to successfully host such world-class sporting events.

QNB will be very active during the tournament and will invite many VIPs to watch the matches, as well as many of the Bank's senior executives and other staff members who will all contribute to supporting the progress of this high-profile tournament.

In addition to welcoming all fans to Doha, the tournament is anticipating the arrival of the world's top stars who will be vying for top honors.  

QNB will host a hospitality tent for VIPs and the players, as well as have a recreational pavilion at the venue featuring activities and competitions for children and families. In addition, the Bank will also set up a mobile banking unit at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash complex, offering banking services to all visitors.

The QNB and the QTF have a strong working relationship which extends from the inception of this tournament. QNB's sponsorship of sporting events is focused on promoting major sporting events to raise Qatar's profile internationally.

QNB and the QTF have been working in parallel for the best part of the past two decades to promote the sport of tennis, and during this period, this tournament has gained international recognition as one of the premier tennis attractions in the world today.  

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About QNB
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 has steadily grown to be among the largest banks in the region and is by far the leading financial institution in the country, with a market share approaching 40% of banking sector assets.

QNB offers a full range of Retail, Corporate, Investment, Treasury, Wealth Management, and Islamic Banking products and services for individuals, corporate institutions and government entities in Qatar as well as internationally.

QNB has the largest distribution network in Qatar, comprising 44 branches and offices (including 3 mobile branches), in addition to 11 Islamic branches and offices operated by QNB Al Islami, and more than 160 ATMs.

QNB was the first conventional bank in Qatar to offer Shari'a-compliant banking products and services through QNB Al Islami, established in 2005.

QNB's international presence is rapidly expanding to include new locations around the world to supplement the long established branches in London and Paris.  Currently QNB has presence in 22 countries including branches in Yemen, Oman Kuwait & Singapore as well as Representative Offices in Iran & Libya. An Islamic branch was recently inaugurated in Sudan, offering a full range of Islamic banking services and products.

QNB has also extended its regional reach by acquiring shares in various financial institutions including 33.5% stake in the Jordan based, The Housing Bank for Trade and Finance (HBTF), 23.8% of the shares of Commercial Bank International (CBI) based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 50% of the Tunisian-Qatari bank and 20% stake in the Doha-based Al Jazeera Islamic Company. QNB also retains 49% stake in QNB-Syria, a private stock company established jointly with other Syrian private and public sector institutions which started operations mid November this year.

The Bank recently established a new investment company "QNB Capital" 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 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 for its innovative products, services and remarkable performance.

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

For further information, please contact
QNB's Public Relations Department
Tel: (974) 4252477
Fax: (974) 4252589
Email: PR@qnb.com.qa
QNB's website www.qnb.com.qa

© Press Release 2010