Doha, March 22, 2010

• Regulatory Authority demonstrates commitment to working with local financial community
• Attendees to week-long Regulatory programme from across MENA

Financial supervisory and regulatory leaders from Qatar and the wider MENA region have completed an intensive exercise in Financial and Regulatory Leadership, organised by the QFC Regulatory Authority in collaboration with the Qatar Financial and Business Academy (QFBA) and the Toronto Centre.

The programme, which took place at the QFBA during the period of 14-18 March 2010, was attended by regulators from Qatar and 7 other MENA countries. The Toronto Centre designed a tailored programme for participants focussed on the strategic regional and global regulatory issues and challenges, corporate governance, and financial services and
regulatory leadership.

The programme also offered an opportunity for regulators in the region to network and share their views on supervisory challenges and approaches.

Michael G. Ryan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Regulatory Authority, commented on the programme by saying:
“The Toronto Centre’s mission to assist financial regulators in delivering a more robust financial system is regarded as best in class by senior regulators globally and we are very pleased to have had the opportunity to bring the Centre’s expertise to Qatar. The Centre’s programme provided a valuable opportunity to participate in reaching a collective understanding of the issues and challenges that lie ahead for the regulatory community and, importantly, an excellent opportunity to build further on the collaborative relationships among regulatory leaders in the region.”



Media Contacts:
Jeremy Hunt - QFCRA
T: +974 495 6702
F: +974 483 0894
E: j.hunt@qfcra.com

About the 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 authorise, supervise and, when necessary, discipline firms and individuals. The QFC Regulatory Authority regulates firms using principle-based legislation of international standard, modelled closely on that used in London and other major financial centres. Further details are available on the website www.qfcra.com

About the 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 operates to international standards and provides a first class legal and business infrastructure for those doing business within the QFC. The QFC was created by QFC Law No.(7) of Qatar and has been open for business since 1 May 2005. The QFC Authority is the commercial, administrative and legislative body responsible for driving the commercial strategy of the QFC. More information on the QFC Authority is available at www.qfc.com.qa

About the Toronto Centre
Recognizing the need to promote sound financial systems worldwide, the Toronto Centre was created in 1998 with the support of the Government of Canada, the World Bank, the Schulich School of Business and, subsequently, the International Monetary Fund. Our mandate is to enhance the capacity of management in banking, insurance and securities regulatory agencies so that they can strengthen and adapt their organizations to face the constant changes and threats to financial markets. Ultimately, the Toronto Centre’s mission is to contribute to global financial stability and greater access to financial services. More information on the Toronto Centre is available at www.torontocentre.org

About the Qatar Finance and Business Academy (QFBA)
QFBA is a learning and development organisation based in Qatar offering financial services learning and research around the critical issues facing professionals and organisations in the current and future global business environment. Through its partnership with the Qatar Foundation and the QFC Authority, QFBA provides learning solutions for entry-level to senior executive professionals in essential financial disciplines within the sectors of banking, asset management, capital markets, insurance and financial services leadership. QFBA also provides expert coaching and development for all participants that help to map their individual learning journeys. QFBA’s senior management and leadership team are drawn from world-class business schools such as Columbia, INSEAD, IESE, Harvard and London Business School. Information on the QFBA is available at www.qfba.edu.qa