Doha, 25 February 2007

Qatar Financial Centre, Amwal and Qatari Businessmen Association hold second event after successful launch in November

The three leading local business and financial organizations which have established a local platform for networking and financial industry development have announced the holding of its second event.

The event, to take place on 28 February, coincides with the conclusion of the Forbes Middle East CEO Forum in Doha. Steve Forbes, President, CEO and Editor in Chief of Forbes magazine, will attend the networking event and address the participants.

The Networking Event for Financial Professionals is geared to professionals working in the financial sector, and those in financial positions in the wider business community. Amwal, Qatar Financial Centre and Qatari Businessmen Association each invite clients and other professional contacts to participate.

The group offers an opportunity for financial professionals to share information on ethics, corporate governance, and best practices in the field of finance among other finance-related topics.

“We were delighted with the response to our first event” said Sheikha Hanadi Nasser bin Khaled Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of Amwal. “The senior level of professionals attending, and the real mix of people across the various businesses not only based in Qatar but also in the region, prompted some very good comments,” she added.

Sheikh Faisal Bin Qasim Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association commented “As the ambitions and achievements of our industries grow we need to provide them with the best financial capabilities available. The networking event is likely to become a very important source for identifying how we can best support them in this respect.”

Stuart Pearce, CEO and Director General of the Qatar Financial Centre Authority added “The networking event in some ways performs the same function as the QFC. It is helping to create critical mass, informed debate, and a sharing of information on opportunities or developments. It is an important community which contributes in a very significant way to the future of the country.”

The events will take place every 2-3 months, is by invitation only, and will be tailored to fit the needs of the professionals that are expected to participate. In order to do this, the founding group have already conducted a post-event survey of those who were invited to the first event. This produced some very positive results and confirmed the need for such a body to meet on a quarterly basis.

Notes to Editors:

Amwal
Founded in 1998, Amwal is the first investment firm to be licensed by the Central Bank of Qatar operating in three lines of business; investment banking, asset management and financial planning. The firm has launched the first investment portfolio and the first mutual fund investing in the Doha Securities Market and under-wrote the first non-Qatari Initial Public Offering in the country. Amwal has one of the largest investment teams in Qatar, employing more than 50 talented professionals. The firm benefits from a strong shareholder base comprising of major regional and local companies.

Qatar Financial Centre
The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) is a financial and business centre established by the Government of Qatar and located in Doha. It has been designed to attract international financial services institutions and major multi-national corporations and to encourage participation in the growing market for financial services in Qatar and elsewhere in the region. The QFC operates to international standards and provides a first class legal and business infrastructure for those licensed to operate by the Centre. The QFC was created by Qatar Law No.(7) and has been open for business since 1 May 2005.

QFC Regulatory Authority
The QFC Regulatory Authority is an independent regulatory body established by Article 8 of the QFC Law. It regulates firms that conduct financial services in or from the QFC. It has a broad range of regulatory powers to authorize, supervise and, when necessary, discipline firms and individuals. The QFC Regulatory Authority regulates firms using principle-based legislation of international standard, modeled closely on that used in London and other major financial centers. The Regulatory Authority is currently receiving applications and granting authorisations.

QFC Authority
The QFC Authority is the commercial, administrative and legislative body responsible for driving the commercial strategy of the QFC and for developing relationships with the global corporate community and other key institutions both within and outside of Qatar.

Qatari Businessmen Association
Under the auspices and progressive guidance of H.H. the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) was founded by the ministerial decree no. 14 for the year 2002 as a non-governmental, non-profitable organization. The founding members and all other members of QBA share the same vision of H.H. the Emir in creating a diversified, sustainable and resilient economy. Knowing that the private sector is a main pillar for a robust economy our association serves as a strong catalyst that offers a solid foundation for the economic development of Qatar’s private sector and provides a forum for idea exchange. Together, we aim to be a major vehicle, consensus builder and advocate for a thriving economic climate in the State of Qatar.

For more information please contact:

QFC
Steve Martin Head of Corporate Communications & Marketing Tel +974 496 7755 Fax +974 483 0928
s.martin@qfc.com.qa
www.qfc.com.qa

Amwal
Sanaa Boutayeb Head of Corporate Communications Tel +974 467 7990 Fax +974 467 7994
sboutayeb@amwal.com.qa
www.amwal.com.qa

QBA
Bassam Massouh General Manager Tel +974 435 3120 Fax +974 435 3834
Bassam@qataribusinessmen.org
www.qataribusinessmen.org