Doha Bank recognized with brand leadership award during the 17th Asia Brand Congress

The congress was attended by Chief Executives, branding strategists, brand management experts and media experts from across the globe from over 26 countries comprising leading organizations including financial institutions, manufacturers, leading advertisement agencies, research institutions, educational institutions etc.

In recognition of Doha Bank's effective branding building journey over the last 6 years, the congress awarded Doha Bank with the "Brand Leadership Award", being the only financial institution to be recognized by the congress.

Doha Bank's branding efforts in terms of how it evolved as the front-runner in setting the pace for financial service market in the Middle East region with its sound and conscious corporate level branding, functional level branding, product and service level branding were highlighted.

Further, the various innovative branding building exercises undertaken by Doha Bank and also Doha Bank's pioneering role towards knowledge management by developing and practicing ECOnomics (ecology and economics) business model, world-wide knowledge dissemination on the effects of Global Warming and Climate Change, organizing of business and sports quiz in GCC, conducting of Al-Dana fun run to promote a healthy environment, its globalization journey, organizing of customer convenience forums, introduction of innovative products and services offering to customers etc., were highlighted and appreciated by the panelists while recognizing Doha Bank for the "Brand Leadership Award".

Further, the entire congress appreciated Doha Bank's branding building journey and considered it as a fitting case study for the congress.
The congress also highlighted and appreciated Doha Bank's newer strategic business model initiatives including its vision towards opening up commercial gateways for banking, finance, investments and trade to promote bilateral relations between GCC countries and the respective country of operation, resulting in opening up branch operations in Dubai and Kuwait apart from existing branch operations in New York, USA and representative offices in Singapore, Japan, Turkey, China, Romania, South Korea and London.

Further, Doha Bank's unique vision in striking a strategic tie-up with Doha Brokerage and Financial Services Ltd., being the first financial institution from the Middle East region to set foot and tap the growing Indian sub-continent financial service segment and Doha Bank's efforts to converge itself as a one-stop financial service provider, by successful launch of 100% subsidiary, Doha Bank Assurance Company were also highlighted and appreciated.

H.E. Sheikh Fahad Bin Mohammad Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chairman of Board of Directors of Doha Bank, H.E. Sheikh Abdul Rehman Bin Mohammad Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Managing Director of Doha Bank and Mr. R.Seetharaman, Chief Executive Officer while expressing there happiness on being recognized for the "Brand Leadership Award", said "Today, the market space is driven by globalization, consumerism, deregulation and technology, and hence business environment especially for financial institutions one like Doha Bank, have become extremely competitive.

As we move into a borderless village, the competitive landscape has completely changed and has become very intense owing to every organization's pursuit to maximize their market share.

Therefore, building and managing a strong brand, one like Doha Bank, within the financial services industry sector is very difficult and complicated since financial institutions like us offer similar products, and this, along with highly regulated nature of this industry and the high risk involvement, makes it extremely difficult for us to differentiate our products and services.

Therefore, financial institutions
like us operating in the global market space have to strive for brand innovation with a 360 degree approach, which we have been successfully doing and continuously re-engineering. The globalization era is creating global brands and therefore re-branding and continuous re-engineering of our existing branding exercise is the key to Doha Bank's sustainable success journey".

Further, during the congress it was announced that the Asia Brand Congress would be hosting the World Brand Congress in 2009.