We are proud to welcome 29 new firms to the QFC platform in February 2021.
Community Newsletter
The latest market trends, news updates and our latest event. All what you missed from the previous month and more.
CEO Foreword
Having said that, the QFC leads on a dynamic business engagement calendar, widening its network and strengthening ties across many international markets. Last month saw the hosting of key virtual outreach events, which aimed at introducing investors from Russia and the Kyrgyz Republic to Qatar’s emerging business opportunities, mainly in digital and sports sectors. Similarly, we held constructive talks with renowned ambassadors, including H.E. Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, and H.E. Ambassador of Georgia, during which we explored new avenues of cooperation and partnerships. We have also officially announced the establishment of the French multinational bank Société Générale’s representative office on the QFC platform. In fact, our platform continues to expand as it has welcomed nearly 30 new firms last month, representing diverse business sectors, including digital and fintech, which hold significant growth potential.
Focusing on the thriving fintech ecosystem in Qatar, and with the latest declaration of Doha as the ‘Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2021’, it is worth shedding light on the vast growth potential of Qatar’s Islamic fintech sector. According to the recently launched ‘Global Islamic Fintech Report 2021’, the Islamic fintech market size in Qatar is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.6 per cent to reach $2 billion by 2025. It also showed that Qatar is among top 10 countries in the Global Islamic Fintech (GIFT) Index, having one of the most conducive ecosystems to the growth of the Islamic fintech market. Proudly, we maintain our leading role in advancing the fintech and Islamic fintech landscape in Qatar, as we offer a vast array of unique benefits and incentives, designed to support and cater to the needs of fintechs. This includes waiving the application fees and first-year annual registration fee, in addition to providing a shared rent-free workspace for a specific period of time.
As COVID-19 vaccination campaigns are speeding up around the world and more positive economic projections are announced, I am confident that we will be concluding Q1 on a high and I look forward to sharing these updates with you soon.

Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida
Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Financial Centre
QFC’s Board of Directors to be led by H.E. Minister of Commerce and Industry
COVID-19 Status in Qatar
The Ministry of Public Health announced in its weekly update of COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, dated 28 March, that more than 740k COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered since the start of the programme. According to Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation, the number of COVID-19 vaccinations provided per week is expected to increase to 180,000 - 200,000 doses.
Given the rapidly evolving situation, kindly follow the official communications channels and make sure that you are not misled by fake news or information circulated by non-credible sources or unofficial platforms.
- Government Communications Office (@GCOQatar)
- Ministry of Public Health (@MOPHQatar)
- Ministry of Interior (@MOIQatar)
- Ministry of Industry and Commerce (@MOCIQatar)
- Ministry of Defence (@MOD_Qatar)
- Qatar Media Corporation English website (www.covid19qatar.info)
Market Trends
Moody’s Investors Service
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S&P Global Ratings
S&P Global Ratings (S&P) has reaffirmed Qatar Islamic Bank’s (QIB) long and short-term ratings at ‘A-/A-2’ with a Stable Outlook.
Capital Intelligence
Brand Finance
QNB has retained the title of Qatar’s most valuable and strongest brand, as its brand value increased to $6.1 billion. QNB has also broken into the top 50 most valuable banks in the world.
Welcome to the QFC Community
QFC Digital Thought-Leadership Series: #AccessQatar
In line with QFC’s webcast series entitled: ‘#AccessQatar: QFC Webcast Series’, QFC continues to cover the latest trends and developments across a number of industries and topics including Qatar’s economy, financial services, FinTech, foreign direct investment, digital, and sports.
News Highlights
Business News Highlights
Sustainability Development Goals
The IOM Qatar organised virtual trainings on human trafficking and associated forms of abuse and exploitation for the diplomats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in addition to another training for the law enforcement officers of the Ministry of Interior.
Strengthening the capacity of media professionals, the IOM Kuwait organised a training about ‘Responsible Reporting’ in partnership with the Netherlands Embassy in Kuwait and in cooperation with the Ministry of Information.
The IOM, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the UN Network on Migration, and the members of the UN Network in the Arab Region organised the ‘Multi-Stakeholder Consultation’ in preparation of the GCM (Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration) Regional Review in the Arab Region. The Consultation was followed by a discussion between various stakeholders (as referred in the GCM) regarding the good practices and
challenges in implementing the GCM - notably during the COVID-19 pandemic - in the region and their involvement in national migration plans.
The IOM, ESCWA, LAS (League of Arab States), the UN network on Migration, and the members of the UN Network in the Arab Region organised the GCM Regional Review in the Arab Region. During the conference, Qatar participated in the round table discussion of GCM objectives and presented the outcomes of its voluntary review report, which was released in September 2020.
The IOM and UNESCWA organised a dialogue with the Arab Parliaments on the ‘Regional Review of the GCM in the Arab Region’. The dialogue provided an overview of recent developments in migration governance at the global, regional and national levels. It also highlighted the new structures in place for coordination on migration and the regional review process.