Qatar Focus

Al Khaliji: the latest bank to hit Qatar
At the start of 2006 Qatari investors were all aflutter as the fledgling Al Rayan Bank launched a $1.1 billion IPO, which led to a feeding frenzy of share buying by around 750,000 Gulf nationals. Now, in 2007, another new bank, Al Khaliji, is entering the scene in Qatar and it too will be looking for a positive response from potential investors to its newly launched IPO, despite the continued depression in Arab stock markets.
Qatar: Wednesday, April 18 - 2007 at 09:21 |

Prices rocket for Qatar’s GTL projects
Towards the end of last month, the foundation stone for the Pearl Gas-to-Liquids facility, which will tap into the vast gas reserves of Qatar’s North Field, was laid by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar’s heir apparent , and the Prince of Wales. But amid the pomp and ceremony, the impact of hugely escalating costs, which had dealt a KO blow to a similar GTL project just a couple of days before, took some of the gloss off proceedings.
Qatar: Thursday, March 15 - 2007 at 11:27 |

The QIA is getting hungry for acquisitions
Figures released last week by Qatar’s government suggest the Gulf state’s economy grew by a very impressive 24 per cent last year, thanks in the main to inflated hydrocarbon prices and a steadily expanding non-energy sector. With so much extra liquidity sloshing around the government’s coffers, it is little wonder Qatar has been linked with one or two very high profile acquisitions recently.
Qatar: Wednesday, February 28 - 2007 at 10:24 |

The QNB goes from strength to strength
The Qatar National Bank has announced that its financial results for 2006 were approved at an Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assembly held earlier this week. The QNB saw its annual profits pass through the $500 million barrier for the first time. The bank’s record returns are testament to its determined expansion plans, which have seen its Islamic banking division grow significantly over the past year, while the institution has also set up a number of overseas branches.
Qatar: Thursday, February 15 - 2007 at 09:02 |

Kahramaa aiming to power ahead
The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation, Kahramaa, has this week announced its biggest ever annual budget as it looks to ramp up the country’s electricity and water provision. A massive 71 per cent more funds have been allocated for 2007, when compared to last year, which is just as well given the recent spikes in energy and water consumption in the Gulf state.
Qatar: Thursday, February 01 - 2007 at 10:23 |

Qatar's $65bn non-energy mega projects start to emerge
Fly into Doha these days and the coastal landfill on the airport site and The Pearl-Qatar manmade island are very visible. So too is the massive Lusail project reclamation next to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel for a new township to house 200,000 residents and the Qatar Energy City. Lusail will cost up to $20 billion to complete by 2020.
Qatar: Wednesday, January 24 - 2007 at 12:06 |

QFC, a new year brings a new appointment
The Qatar Financial Centre Authority has marked the start of 2007 by making a new appointment to its board of directors. The centre is clearly determined to affirm its position as a leading location for international finance and business and the addition to the QFC Authority Board follows a year in which numerous institutions received operating licences and enhancements were made to the regulatory framework.
Qatar: Wednesday, January 10 - 2007 at 12:54 |

Qatar set for another good year
As the year draws to a close, Qatar ends 2006 in good shape: its gross domestic product is hitting new heights, with an estimated year end total of $55 billion, and its government is forecasting a sizeable drop in the rate of inflation next year, as it tries to combat the effects of rising prices.
Qatar: Wednesday, December 27 - 2006 at 10:20 |