DOHA, 12 June 2007

Prominent financial figures from the Gulf States and the City of London are scheduled to speak at the second annual City and Gulf Co-operation Council Countries (GCC) Conference in London, of which the Qatar Financial Centre Authority is a lead sponsor. The conference is to be held on 28th June at the Merchant Taylor’s Hall in London.

The conference is being organized by the UK’s Middle East Association. It aims to create an opportunity for leaders of international finance in the Gulf States to provide the City of London’s key figures with insight into the tremendous economic growth and commercial and investment opportunities in the region. The conference will feature debates on GCC Capital Markets and prospects for the region’s rapidly expanding private equity markets, Islamic Finance and Insurance, and External GCC investment flows. It will also look at how to build partnerships that will employ the strengths of both the Gulf States and the City of London.

The latter theme will also feature in the opening keynote address by Alderman John Stuttard, the Lord Mayor of the City of London. In February, the Lord Mayor visited Qatar and reflected on his experience by saying:

“Qatar has an ambition to develop a financial sector, based on the Qatar Financial Centre, which is unique in that it enables domestic and international business membership. It has also decided to use English law as a basis for contracts, a sensible flexible way of contracting internationally and it’s already off to a good start, with banks, insurance companies, accountants and lawyers who have registered with the QFC.”

Featured panelists will include Lord Levene of Portsoken, Chairman of Lloyd’s of London, who will look at developments in GCC and London insurance markets, and Dr. Gerard Lyons, Chief Economist at Standard Chartered, who will give a strategic economic overview for the Gulf States in 2010.

Stuart Pearce, CEO and Director General, Qatar Financial Centre Authority, commented

“We are delighted to be a lead sponsor of this conference and to chair one of the panel discussions on developing the markets and adoption of international standards. With the Qatari economy performing strongly there is great potential for growth within the financial services sector and the QFC offers unique opportunities for financial companies. The conference itself will offer an opportunity to discuss the differences between the various financial centres and the benefits they can bring; different centres may suit different strategies and we look forward to a challenging debate on how we can harness and utilise the expertise in both the Gulf and the City of London.”

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.

The Middle East Association
The Middle East Association (MEA) is the UK’s premier organization for promoting trade and good relations with the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and Iran.

The MEA is an independent, non-profit making organization established in 1961. The members of the Association cover all sectors of industry and commerce including banking, finance and consultancy, and are responsible for about 70 percent of all UK investment and trade with the region. www.the-mea.co.uk