July 2011
21 posts
Am-Ex ME sponsors restoration of Bab Al Bahrain
American Express Middle East announced the signing of a sponsorship agreement with the Bahrain Ministry of Culture to support the restoration of Bab Al Bahrain (Gateway of Bahrain), an architectural landmark located in the Customs Square in Manama.
Organised under the guidance of Her Excellency Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, the Minister of Culture, the refurbishment of Bab Al Bahrain is...
We recommend: "Why the NOC system doesn’t work" →
“Before doing something, ask yourself whether you’d like it if someone did it to you,” says Mr Q.
"In Qatar, do think tanks Matter?" →
“The one million riyal question would be, does a country like Qatar need more think tanks knowing that Qatar has an underdeveloped civil society, limited human capital and passive public opinion,” asks Hassan Al-Ibrahim (@halibrahim)
IBQ receives prestigious Commerzbank Award
IBQ received the prestigious annual STP award presented by Commerzbank, for outstanding performance in straight-through-processing and the delivery of commercial and financial payments in Euros.
The award recognizes IBQ’s state-of-the-art in-house payment architecture and reflects the Bank’s consistently high SWIFT standards, which facilitate automated processing throughout the payment chain. ...
STARLINK LAUNCHES SAMSUNG GALAXY S2
Starlink, Qatar’s leading communications and media retail and logistics business, is the first and only Doha-based retailer, alongside Qtel, to sell the latest version of the Samsung Galaxy, which includes Arabic softwareprocesseracters….
From Thursday 21st July Starlink and Qtel will be exclusively selling the Samsung Galaxy S2 with software that will allow for the use of Arabic...
Vietnam announce squad for Qatar
Hanoi: Vietnam coach Falko Goetz has announced a 24-man squad to take on Qatar in the opening leg of their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on July 23 at the Al Sadd Stadium.
The team, which has five new names, will undergo intensive training for eight days before the match. Getting the call-up are Olympic side goalkeeper Nguyen Tuan Manh from the Hoang Anh Gia Lai Club, Tran Chi Cong, Nguyen...
Qatari Diar celebrates reopening of hotel
Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company celebrated the re-opening of the 150-year old luxury hotel - Hotel Schweizerhof Bern - in Switzerland. The renovated hotel has had a glorious record of accommodating stars such as Peter Ustinov, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor.
“The newly renovated hotel is a symbol of Qatari Diar’s commitment to luxury development that embraces local...
“Qatar growth expected to be 33.8%”
– http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20110718034115/Qatar_Growth_Expected_to_be_338
“Iran and U.S. to participate in “Ping-Pong Diplomacy” in Doha”
– http://www.payvand.com/news/11/jul/1166.html
SAUDI HNWIs MOST INVESTED IN COMMODITIES
According to a recent study by Barclays Wealth, 80% of Saudi HNWIs view commodities as a safe investment proposition, a far greater proportion than any other market included in the 13th volume of the Wealth insights report titled “Risk and Rules: The Role of Control in Financial Decision Making.”
The report, which is the 13th edition of the Barclays Wealth Insights series, is based on a global...
Barclays Capital named ‘Best Investment Bank'
In recognition of its continued leadership in the investment banking industry, Barclays Capital has been named the “Best Investment Bank in the Middle East and North Africa” (MENA) region by Banker Middle East, one of the leading magazines dedicated to the regional financial services sector.
Barclays Capital received this prestigious accolade at the annual Banker Middle East Investment Awards,...
Air Arabia introduces flights to Gassim in KSA
Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, announced today the introduction of a new flight destination in Saudi Arabia, from the carrier’s primary hub in Sharjah, UAE. Beginning July 15, 2011, Air Arabia will offer 4-weekly flights to Gassim, making it easier and more convenient for passengers to visit friends and family in the Kingdom.
On...
REAL ESTATE STILL POPULAR AMONG UAE HNWIs
According to a recent study by Barclays Wealth, 72% of HNWIs in the UAE have investments in real estate – the most held asset class. The survey revealed mixed sentiments about continuing to invest in real estate over the next 12 months, with 42% of respondents considering this asset class risky and an almost equal number (40%) having a completely divergent view and consider it a safe option.
...
MENA's leading funds maintain top ranks in Q1 2011
Zawya, the leading online provider of business intelligence on the MENA region, announced today its new quarterly Funds Ranking results for Q12011. Zawya Funds Ranking is the first and only independent ranking system in the region, addressing the rising demand for accurate information, unbiased research and analysis, as well as increased transparency in the MENAfunds industry.
This quarter, 11...
Insurance sector primed for growth
The Insurance sector in Qatar is showing all the signs that it could explode into life in the coming years. When its figures are assessed against global ones, there’s almost an anomaly of sorts, an inconsistency which must have investors through-out the world studying them and trying to qualify them.
The Qatari economy is currently growing at about 16 percent, and in spite of this, the...
Eye the Nifty-Fifties again
Guy Monson, Chairman of the Investment Policy Committee at Bank Sarasin is no rookie. With an experience of over 27 years with the Bank, he is an investment expert managing close to $20 billion of ‘primarily’ global equities which he looks after for foundations, charities, institutions and individuals. He was in the region to tell Qatari investors of the opportunities that are available in...
Global Wealth Management: Oppurtunity Unexplored?
Even as world markets get less friendly, conflicts mark the region and investors remain over-cautious the wealthy get wealthier. Globally, wealth climbed to a record QR443.35 trillion ($121.8 trillion), about QR72.8 trillion ($20 trillion) above where it stood two years ago during the depths of the financial crisis according to the recent report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
Sindhu Nair...
Harnessing the Digital Economy
Whilst many businesses understand their marketing and corporate strategies, they are facing pivotal decisions in this new digital economy of mobility and lightning-fast access to data. Getting their IT strategy right now will promote slicker business decisions in the future.
Rory Coen explores the ever-changing challenges of the digital economy
Companies are now being digitised from...
WatchQatar Today July Issue
QFIB acquires $16 million stake in Kuwait Energy
Qatar First Investment Bank (QFIB) announced the acquisition of a $16 million stake in Kuwait Energy Company, a leading Middle Eastern independent oil and gas exploration and production company headquartered in Kuwait. The stake was acquired from an existing shareholder and marks QFIB’s second investment in the oil and gas sector.
The acquisition was announced at a press conference held at QFIB...
