Doha, 29 January 2008

The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority sponsored a conference held by International Fund Investment (IFI) magazine - which is based in the UK - at the Four Seasons Hotel, Doha on 28 January.

The event featured a debate on alternative fund investment, followed by a market research segment, during which IFI presented the headline results of its research study commissioned by the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA).

The QFC-sponsored event gathered together some 40 professional investment executives from financial organisations from across the Gulf region and provided a forum for participants to discuss key issues bearing on the potential for fund management in Qatar and the region.

Stuart Pearce, CEO and Director General of the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), said: “This was an extremely useful opportunity for professional investors to gather and discuss industry issues in an open and conducive environment. Alternative fund investment is a hot topic for countries such as Qatar that are working to diversify their economies. As we work to establish Qatar as a magnet for business and investment in the region, we continue to encourage alternative fund investment to develop new revenue streams, bring new services and complimentary assets into the region, and create value for those institutions which choose to do business in the QFC”.

IFI regularly hosts targeted debates and roundtables for investors, asset managers and industry providers.

Simon Osborn, Editor of IFI magazine, said: “This was a very successful event, covering a wide range of issues related to hedge-fund investing, including Sharia-compliant funding. Fund managers, bankers and various other investment entities took part in open and free-flowing discussions and exchanged views that will inform future developments in the industry.”

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.