Infrastructure Spending Creates International Opportunities in Qatar

Euromoney Qatar Conference set to examine Funding Opportunities of Qatar’s US$250 Billion Investment Budget

Doha, Qatar: In spite of growing storm clouds over the global economy, Qatar is set to push through the billions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure investment in the coming years, according to senior economists and banking leaders.

The nation is set to spend as much as US$205 billion on infrastructure by the end of 2018, prioritising sectors such as housing, transport infrastructure, power, water and sewage facilities. The economic opportunities generated by this investment boom – for local, regional and international banks – will be under scrutiny at the upcoming Euromoney Qatar Conference, set to run in Doha from 24-25 November 2014.

In a special session at the event, called “Understanding the Next Phase of the Qatari Economic Story,” senior banking figures from Qatar and international finance experts will look at Qatar’s requirements for the coming years, and ask how the nation will continue to fund its ambitious growth programme.

While government spending has provided the foundation for infrastructure investment in recent years, there are growing opportunities for regional and international lenders to play a role in funding, particularly through Shariah-compliant financing mechanisms.

The event will examine some of Qatar’s largest infrastructure initiatives, such as the US$45 billion Qatar Rail project, Doha Metro and NDIA campus projects, and examine how new sources of finance might be tapped to support these. In addition, the panel will examine the changing institutional and regulatory climate in Qatar, and ask how this evolving environment will impact international players.

With support from major sponsors including supporting body Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA) and senior lead sponsor Qatar National Bank, the event is set to provide an important insight for finance leaders looking to understand the future development path of one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

For local and regional banking executives, it will provide an important opportunity to network with globally-recognised banking giants.

Richard Banks, Regional Director, Euromoney Conferences, said: “The Euromoney Qatar Conference 2014 has grown in size because of the calibre of the speakers, and also because of the intense interest in Qatar as a dynamic investment hub. Given the significant changes that Qatar has witnessed in recent months, combined with the rising international attention it has received, we believe this year’s event has the potential to be the most interesting to date.”

In 2014, the Conference will be addressed by H.E. Ali Sharif Al Emadi, Minister of Finance, State of Qatar, and H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Saud Al Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank.

“Global finance: re-launched” is being co-hosted by Qatar Central Bank. Other sponsors include co-sponsor Jersey Finance, associate sponsors Masraf Al Rayan and Qatar First Bank, and exhibitors include Qatar Finance and Business Academy and Qatar Financial Centre Authority.