DOHA, 30 May 2007

The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority will be launching an intranet site on 1 June called QFC online to firms licensed to operate from the QFC.

The site contains information about news and events, useful contacts, a building guide, public holidays, safety and security, and firms' profiles. It will also increasingly contain data prepared by the QFC Authority’s strategy and planning team for licensed firms to draw on for business plans, briefing and general information. Once launched, the site will be further developed and many other additional features will be added over the next few weeks. It will also be linked to the QFC Authority’s own intranet and updates to that will be automatically carried through to QFC online.

Stuart Pearce, Chief Executive Officer and Director General of the QFC Authority, said: “It is the philosophy of the QFC Authority to provide firms licensed to operate from the QFC with support to grow their businesses in Qatar and the region. In this context QFC online will be a valuable tool for them to use and develop to their requirements. It supplements the information we already send to firms through our website and our regular eNewsletters, but has been specifically designed to support firms operating in Qatar.”

Media Contact

Steve Martin
Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing
Tel +974 496 7755 Mob +974 583 1937 e-mail s.martin@qfc.com.qa

Notes to Editors:

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 will operate to international standards and provide a first class legal and business infrastructure for those operating within the QFC. 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.

The QFC Civil and Commercial Court and QFC Regulatory Tribunal
The QFC Civil and Commercial Court and QFC Regulatory Tribunal were launched in February 2007. The President of the Court is Lord Woolf, formerly Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales. The Court is modelled on the internationally respected Commercial Court in London. In the event of disputes in matters of law, it will be the final arbiter. The Regulatory Tribunal has been established to hear and decide upon appeals from decisions of the QFC Regulatory Authority and other QFC agencies. Its Chairman is William Blair, QC. Both the President and the Chairman are supported by Judges who have held the highest judicial offices in their own jurisdictions.