Capital Markets
From The Report: Qatar 2025
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Qatar’s capital markets are currently going through a time of major new initiatives, with reforms and structural improvements rolling out. These target the widening and strengthening of the existing Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), while also preparing the ground for additional capital market innovation. These steps come following 2024 witnessing strong earnings and revenue expansion for listed organisations. The year also saw the net profits of listed companies rise 8.7%, to a total of QR51.2bn ($14.1bn) – a positive that is standing the market in good stead during the more tumultuous first months of 2025. Current plans to widen and deepen the market are expected to continue to roll out, enhancing the QSE’s attractiveness, while increased digitalisation will also lead to greater efficiency and transparency.

This chapter contains interviews with Abdulla Mohammed Al Ansari, CEO, Qatar Stock Exchange; Soumaya Ben Beya Dridje, Partner, Rasmal Ventures; Hussein Fakhreddine, Acting CEO, QInvest; and Mohsin Pirzada, Head of Funds, Qatar Investment Authority.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Resilient position: Corporate bond issuances add to risk-spreading diversity in company portfolios, signalling growth for the years ahead
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Qatar’s capital markets are currently going through a time of major new initiatives, with reforms and structural improvements rolling out. These target the widening and strengthening of the existing Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), while also preparing the ground for additional capital market innovation. These steps come following 2024 witnessing strong earnings and revenue expansion for listed organisations. The year also saw the net profits of listed organisations expand 8.7%, to a total of QR51.2bn ($14.1bn) – a positive that is standing the market in good stead during the more tumultuous first months of 2025. By sector, telecommunications…

Interview

Creating confidence: Abdulla Mohammed Al Ansari, CEO, Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), on fostering a more attractive market environment
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Interview: Abdulla Mohammed Al Ansari, CEO, Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), on fostering a more attractive market environment What role do environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations play in shaping investment strategies in Qatar’s capital markets? ABDULLA MOHAMMED AL ANSARI: Sustainability remains an essential factor for financial markets, which are beginning to perceive ESG not as a matter of disclosure, but rather as a narrative on factors that are material to the competitive…

Interview

Global backing: Mohsin Pirzada, Head of Funds, Qatar Investment Authority, on how international venture capital firms (VC) are fuelling growth in the country’s start-up ecosystem
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Interview: Mohsin Pirzada, Head of Funds, Qatar Investment Authority, on how international venture capital firms (VC) are fuelling growth in the country’s start-up ecosystem How has the arrival of international VC firms in Doha contributed to building a more mature investment ecosystem in Qatar? MOHSIN PIRZADA: The presence of international VC firms in Doha is playing a transformative role across several key areas. First, it is helping to bridge critical funding gaps by enabling early- and growth-stage…

Analysis

Making a mark: Emerging markets are seeing a major shift towards sustainability initiatives, reshaping the global investment landscape
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Impact investment – which is purposely designed to generate tangible social and environmental benefits alongside financial returns – presents promising risk-adjusted prospects. This type of investment not only provides value for investors, but can also greatly advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals. According to the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), the impact investing market has experienced substantial growth, with an estimated worth of $1.2trn at the end of 2021. This marks a more than two-fold increase from its $502bn valuation at the end of 2018. In GIIN’s 2023 survey, impact investors demonstrated strong performance, with…

Interview

Accelerated progress: Soumaya Ben Beya Dridje, Partner, Rasmal Ventures, on how government backing and emerging technologies are energising the country’s start-up ecosystem
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Interview: Soumaya Ben Beya Dridje, Partner, Rasmal Ventures, on how government backing and emerging technologies are energising the country’s start-up ecosystem To what extent is the venture capital (VC) ecosystem equipped to support tech-driven start-ups? SOUMAYA BEN BEYA DRIDJE: Qatar provides a supportive environment for start-ups through strong government backing, including initiatives like Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 and Project Unicorn, which foster innovation and entrepreneurship.…

Interview

Diversification drivers: Hussein Fakhreddine, Acting CEO, QInvest, on deepening investment and sustainability momentum
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Interview: Hussein Fakhreddine, Acting CEO, QInvest, on deepening investment and sustainability momentum What trends are shaping investment opportunities and how do you see capital markets supporting economic diversification? HUSSEIN FAKHREDDINE: Policy-led efforts to diversify Qatar’s economy are opening up new avenues for investment, guided by Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy 2024-30. Capital markets are central to this push, with the Qatar Stock Exchange…