QFC at a Glance

Qatar’s financial services account for nearly 8% of the national GDP. Under the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3), Qatar has set clear priorities for the sector, including advancing Insurtech, strengthening asset management, deepening capital markets, expanding digital payments, and increasing SME credit to 7%.

Aligned with these national goals, QFC enables the growth of financial services firms by providing licensing and regulatory support, sector-focused platforms, and access to local and international partners, helping businesses turn bold ideas into real impact that advances Qatar’s financial sector.

QFC offers an internationally aligned regulatory framework, a supportive business environment, and seamless access to local and regional markets, making it an ideal platform for legal firms, consultancies, auditors, IT service providers, and other professional services organisations.

With more than 4,000 firms from over 130 countries, QFC has become a preferred platform for global businesses, startups, and family offices looking to expand across the region.

Qatar is emerging as a leading hub for Islamic banking and sustainable finance, blending traditional values with today’s evolving global standards. In 2024, the country issued the region’s first and largest $2.5 billion sovereign green bond, strengthening its commitment to sustainable growth. Today, Sharia-compliant assets account for 27% of Qatar’s financial system, and the country is home to two of the region’s largest Islamic banks. This momentum is driven by the Third Financial Sector Strategic Plan, which integrates Islamic finance and sustainability into all facets of Qatar's financial ecosystem.

As part of the country’s ambition to become the region's Islamic finance capital, QFC was the first in the GCC to introduce the Sustainable Sukuk and Bonds Framework in 2022, offering standardised guidelines for the issuance of green capital.

Guided by the Qatar Digital Agenda 2030 and the Third Financial Sector Strategic Plan, QFC is shaping the next era of digital innovation. In support of the country’s ambition to contribute up to QAR 40 billion to non-hydrocarbon GDP, create 26,000 jobs, and launch 35 FinTech startups, QFC has established tailored platforms designed to meet the evolving digital needs of businesses.

Innovative initiatives, such as the Digital Assets Lab, a virtual environment where forward-thinking local and international firms come together to explore blockchain, tokenisation and digital asset innovation. It serves as a catalyst for research, development and real-world experimentation across digital assets and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT).