Qatar

Al Rayan to launch new Islamic Index in Qatar

Editor — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:59:48 +0000

Article Synopsis:

Al Rayan Investment Company has announced it is to launch a new index on the Qatar Exchange (QE) solely for Shariah-compliant investments.

The QE Al Rayan Islamic Index, to be launched next week (January 7) is intended to support the creation of a Shariah-compliant exchange traded fund by Al Rayan, and has been issued with a Fatwa by its Shariah Board.

The index is based on QE listed stocks, of minimum free-float size and liquidity, that are classified by Al Rayan’s Shariah Supervisory Board as Shariah compliant.

Qatar ranked first in Mena region for infrastructure opportunities

Editor — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:08:04 +0000

Article Synopsis:

Qatar is ranked first in the Middle East and the second globally in terms of opportunities for infrastructure investments, according to a new report published by global built asset consultancy, EC Harris.

The ‘Infrastructure Investment Index’, released this week, suggests that Mena should be a strong focus for infrastructure investors, with the United Arab Emirates finishing fourth globally, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ranked eleventh.

QNB launches first bond fund

Editor — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 11:38:38 +0000

Article Synopsis:

The Qatar National Bank (QNB) has launched a bond fund which will invest in corporate and sovereign debt, the first of its kind in the country.

The QNB Debt Fund will focus on debt securities issued by companies and governments in the GCC region.

Barwa Bank’s Shariah equity fund attracts $25m after launch

Editor — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:57:39 +0000

Article Synopsis:

A Shariah-compliant equity fund launched by Qatar’s Barwa Bank at the beginning of October has attracted $25m in allocations in its first month of operation.

The First Investor GCC Equity Opportunities Fund, managed by The First Investor (TFI), Barwa’s investment division, reached QR90m in subscriptions by the end of October and is expecting that to rise further in the coming months as it taps into demand from Qatari and GCC institutions and investors for Shariah-friendly investments.

QInvest CEO Shahbaz resigns

Editor — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 11:48:07 +0000

Article Synopsis:

Qatari investment bank QInvest has announced a change of leadership after CEO Shahzad Shahbaz resigned with immediate effect.

Qatar's new short selling regime to boost Mena industry

Editor — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 11:59:44 +0000

Article Synopsis:

Short selling is to be permitted in the Qatar financial markets for the first time, a move which could bring the Mena region a step further towards greater liberalisation in favour of hedge funds, Mena FM’s sister title HFM Week has reported.

“Securities Lending and Borrowing is key in unlocking liquidity in the market. Regulations were issued on this...

Qatar Investment Fund looks to invest in Saudi Arabia

Editor — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 11:48:10 +0000

Article Synopsis:

The Qatar Investment Fund (QIF) is formulating plans that could allow it to invest in Saudi Arabia, in what would be one of its first non-Qatari allocations, Mena FM has learned.

The Qatar Investment Fund (QIF) has formulated plans to invest in Saudi Arabia, in what will be one of its first non-Qatari allocations, Mena FM has learned.

The proposals, which were subject to shareholder approval, were passed at its Extraordinary General Meeting on November 14 2012.

Although the fund already has a small amount (0.5%) invested in Oman, the majority of the fund is allocated to domestic Qatari investments (96.8%), with the remainder (2.7%) in cash.

The Saudi Arabian stock exchange is one of the largest in the GCC region, with a current market capital

Amwal launches asset management and advisory services at the QFC

Editor — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 11:33:24 +0000

Article Synopsis:

Qatar-based investment firm Amwal QSC has announced the launch of its asset management and investment advisory services at the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) through Amwall LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the firm

Qatar-based investment firm Amwal QSC has announced the launch of its asset management and investment advisory services at the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) through Amwal LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the firm.

Amwal LLC, licensed by the QFC Regulatory Authority in November 2011, will operate under the QFC, which “provides a robust legal and regulatory regime that suits our business activities and our targeted investors,” Sheikha Hanadi Nasser bin Khaled al Thani, Chairman and founder of Amwal said in a statement.

Status quo

Editor — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 14:58:47 +0000

Article Synopsis:

The UAE and Qatar have been denied emerging market status for a fourth time, while Morocco is set to be downgraded to frontier status. In an exclusive interview, MSCI explains its decision to Mena FM, as fund managers count the cost of the latest rejection

After four years of deliberations and delays, the UAE and Qatar are no closer to winning emerging market status from MSCI. In a Mena-led announcement, the index provider also confirmed that Saudi Arabia would be joining the index as a standalone market, with the possibility of an upgrade to frontier or emerging market status within the next two years.

Barwa Bank launches first fund

Editor — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:19:09 +0000

Article Synopsis:

Barwa Bank, Qatar’s newest Islamic bank, has launched its first fund, which will be managed by The First Investor (TFI), the investment banking subsidiary of Barwa Bank Group.

The ‘First Investor GCC Equity Opportunities Fund’ is a fully Sharia-compliant open-ended collective investment scheme. The goal of the fund is to invest in a diversified portfolio of equity and equity-related securities listed on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country exchanges, according to a release.

Rich pickings

Editor — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Sub Headline:

By Barney Hatt

Article Synopsis:

The Qatar fund market has lagged behind other GCC markets, but with the World Cup coming in 2022 is this about to change?

In terms of attractiveness to investors, Qatar could not be much better placed. It is the richest country in the world (GDP per capita), with a thriving LNG based economy and has a World Cup coming up.

Qatar awards new custodian licences amid regulatory reform

Editor — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Article Synopsis:

Standard Chartered Bank and Qatar National Bank have been awarded custody licences by the Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA), as regulatory reform continues in the state

Standard Chartered Bank and Qatar National Bank have been awarded custody licences by the Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA), as regulatory reform continues in the state.

The QFMA license provides a platform from which the banks will offer international custody services internationally. Custodians are responsible for settlement and safe-keeping of clients' financial assets, together with collection and processing of corporate information and income receivable (including dividends and coupons) in respect of the assets held.