Tokyo, 14 April 2008

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC, President: Masayuki Oku) announced that its Doha QFC Office, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) in Doha, Qatar, today commenced operation, as the first Japanese Bank in the QFC.

SMBC has been strengthening its position in the Middle East through energy-related project finance, shipping finance, syndicated loan transactions for both corporate clients and financial institutions, and other products. It also opened a branch in Dubai in March 2007 to enhance its network in the Middle East, which already comprised three representative offices located in Bahrain, Tehran and Cairo.

The increase in LNG and crude oil production has led, and will continue to lead, Qatar to make significant further developments to its industrial infrastructure, particularly in electricity, the education, and healthcare facility sectors. The opening of the Doha QFC office will enable SMBC to further improve its capacity for gathering and providing information on the fast-growing Middle East region, which in turn will lead to the prompt provision of highly professional financial solutions including project finance to its customers.

Profile of Doha QFC Office

Name Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Doha QFC Office
Address  Unit 1504, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce Building,
Doha, Qatar, PO Box: 23769
Representative  Chief Officer: Philippe Devos
Tel & Fax  TEL: +974-496-7572  FAX: +974-496-7576