Doha, 22 January 2008

Amwal, Qatar Financial Centre Authority and Qatari Businessmen Association to hold fourth event attracting participation from local and regional financial community

Following very successful events in 2007, Amwal, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority and the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) will hold their first networking event of the New Year on 20 January at the Sharq Spa Village in Doha. The event is by invitation only and is for guests and experts from the local, regional and international financial communities.

Geared towards the professionals of the financial sector and those in senior financial positions in the wider business community, the Networking Event for Financial Professionals will be addressed by Stuart Pearce CEO & Director General of the Qatar Financial Centre Authority. Amwal, QFC Authority and QBA each invite clients and other professional contacts to participate, offering an opportunity for financial professionals to share the information, knowledge, relationships and expertise that will help build and sustain a solid financial services industry in Qatar and in the wider region. The event will also welcome guests for the MEED Qatar conference taking place on 21/22 January at the Sharq Spa Village.

Dr. Laurent Lavigne du Cadet, CEO of Amwal said: “Now in its fourth round, this networking event has proved time and again its potential for fostering meaningful dialogue and ongoing collaboration between financial experts in the region. The discussions that take place during these meetings serve to promote excellence and innovation, and allow us to share and debate industry trends, future strategies and other aspects of our business. The interest generated among industry leaders during these events reflect, I believe, the benefit of pulling together these experts to exchange innovative ideas and trends in today’s financial scene.”

Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassem Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association added “The success and sequence of the networking events have further attracted business people and financial professionals from Qatar and other countries as well. The unique ambience of events laid the ground to establish exceptional pledge for advancing the financial industry.”

Stuart Pearce, CEO and Director General of the Qatar Financial Centre Authority said “These networking events help to promote a brand of quality in the developing Qatari financial market. The firms we are licensing look for opportunities to exchange views and build business relationships with a broad mix of people and we are therefore very pleased to be a partner in this initiative.”

The Networking Event for Financial Professionals takes place 3 times a year.

Notes to Editors:

Amwal
Founded in 1998, Amwal is the first investment company to be licensed by the Central Bank of Qatar operating in two lines of business; investment banking and asset management. The firm has launched the first investment portfolio and the first mutual fund investing in the Doha Securities Market and underwrote the first non-Qatari Initial Public Offering in the country. Amwal has one of the largest investment teams in Qatar, employing a growing team of talented professionals. The firm benefits from a strong shareholder base comprising of Shuaa Capital, Qatar Foundation, Qatar National Bank, Qatar Navigation and prominent Qatari individual shareholders

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.

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 f+974 483 0928
s.martin@qfc.com.qa
www.qfc.com.qa

Amwal
Angie Dakroury Assistant VP of Corporate Communications Areej Allan Assistant Manager Tel +974 467 7990 Fax +974 467 7994
adakroury@amwalqa.com
www.amwal.com.qa

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