One of the major highlights of the global economic policymaking agenda in 2012 in Qatar, region
Doha, 18 April 2012
Qatar National Bank (QNB) Group, the leading financial institution in the State of Qatar, will be the Platinum Sponsor of the thirteenth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XIII) which is being held in Qatar from 21-26 April 2012.
This is the first time a UNCTAD conference is being held in the Middle East region and Qatar will welcome a large number of global leaders representing United Nations member states during the course of the summit. The summit is expected to be one of the most important in recent times, considering the long tail of the global financial and economic crisis.
The theme of UNCTAD XIII is "Development-centred globalization: Towards inclusive and sustainable growth and development" and QNB's participation in this global summit is an extension of its growing role in regional and international banking and financial services, as well as a commitment to provide positive support to the communities in which it operates.
QNB Group is a leading supporter of economic events in Qatar and internationally and participates in many key economic summits throughout the year, including the acclaimed 20th World Petroleum Congress which was in Doha last year (2011) for the first time in the Middle East. In 2012 QNB Group has been the Gold Sponsor of the Third Annual CFA Institute Middle East Investment Conference, as well as the Diamond Sponsor of the ICC Banking Commission Meeting in Doha. Both events were held in March this year.
QNB's support of major economic summits goes beyond financial sponsorship. The Bank actively participates in such summits to help generate more awareness of the financial sector and opportunities for collaborative growth, as well as build relationships and bridges between Qatar and the world.
As part of the Group's unique performance, the Bank was recently named one of the World's 50 Safest Banks and one of the Safest Banks in the Middle East, according to the latest update published by Global Finance in April 2012. QNB also became the number 1 brand in the MENA region, and moved up to the 114th place amongst the world's top 500 banking brands as compared to place 189 in 2011.The Group offers customers and clients with access to 24 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Asia, where its network, subsidiaries and affiliate companies employ over 7,000 staff operating from 335 branches and offices that are supported by an ATM network that exceeds 650 machines.
** Ends **
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 7,000 staff from 334 branch and offices that are supported by an ATM network that exceeds 600 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, 23% in the Iraqi-based Mansour Bank 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
(+974) 44252477, Fax (+974) 44252589
email: PR@qnb.com.qa
visit QNB's website www.qnb.com.qa
© Press Release 2012
