Doha, 21 May 2009 – Qatar National Bank (QNB) announced its “Diamond Sponsorship” of the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum which is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, The Emir of the State of Qatar, from 1-2 June 2009 at the Sheraton Doha Hotel.
QNB Al Islami, the Islamic banking arm of QNB, will also be a Gold Sponsor of the event. This is an extension of QNB Al Islami's continuing support for the growing role of Islamic financial services in various sectors of Qatar's economy, most notably in infrastructure development where Islamic finance has in recent years become an important financial solution.
QNB's continuing support of the Qatar Economic Forum, which the Bank is sponsoring for the second consecutive time, is part of its commitment to events that help shape Qatar’s economic development.
The Qatar Economic Forum 2009 is being organized by the Ministry of Business & Trade and Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group. This event will bring together high-profile participants representing various sections of local and regional government, policymaking bodies, industry and business to discuss topics of growing significance to Qatar's economy.
Among the topics to be addressed are the upcoming oil and natural gas projects, industrial development plans, urban development projects, real estate sector opportunities and joint infrastructure development opportunities. The forum will highlight the broader scope of Qatar's growing role as a regional finance center, including prospects and challenges. The forum will also host workshops covering the development and performance of the Doha Securities Market, and investment opportunities in real estate and other sectors.
Building on the success of the previous Qatar Economic Forums held in 2006 and 2007, this year's event is of particular significance considering the fast pace of economic growth and development in Qatar. It is also an opportunity to keep track of what is happening in Qatar's dynamic economy, and of the huge investment and business prospects that it offers.
Qatar's economy has witnessed a period of rapid growth with prospects remaining encouraging. Significant budget allocations are being directed to fund a large and growing number of development projects that aim to expand and modernize infrastructure as well as develop the non-oil base of the nation's economy, particularly industry, education, health care and financial services.