By Gordon Platt, Global Finance Magazine
Qatar shows no signs of slowing its investment—both internally and externally.
Shrugging off falling oil prices, Qatar is continuing to invest heavily in building up its infrastructure and likely will remain the fastest-growing economy in the region for some time to come.
Bernard Barbour, Head of Legal and Sharia’a Affairs at QInvest, a leading Investment Bank in the field of Islamic financial services, stated that Islamic Banks should include clear clauses in their contracts, as international legal cases, such as the case of Shamel Bank in Bahrain, proves the necessity of such clauses.
QInvest, Qatar's leading investment bank and one of the most prominent Islamic financial institutions in the world, was named by EMEA Finance magazine as the “Best Local Investment Bank in Qatar” in the publication’s annual Middle East Banking Awards.
• QInvest’s Head of Capital Debt Markets, Hani Ibrahim, talked about Sukuk, Infrastructure and Project Finance In the GCC
Acknowledged as one of the most developed Islamic markets, Saudi Arabia is a destination that should not be overlooked, according to Islamic Finance News (IFN) Forum that kicked-off here on Monday.
Leading Qatari investment bank, QInvest expects an increase in investor appetite for Shariah compliant funds. However in spite of this optimistic view, Islamic funds and the asset management industry is still geographically confined in certain parts of the world. Speaking to Dr Ataf Ahmad, head of asset management at QInvest, NABILAH ANNUAR investigates the conundrum facing the Islamic funds sector.
We anticipate that the Islamic Finance sector will continue to grow over the coming years. With Islamic Finance becoming ever more important - on a global level and the Gulf region in particular - we anticipate there will be further innovation in Sharia compliant products and services, as corporates and sovereigns increasingly look for new ways to diversify their funding base.
• QInvest’s Dr Ataf Ahmad speaking at Opalesque Gulf Roundtable in Dubai
QInvest, Qatar's leading investment bank and one of the most prominent Islamic financial institutions in the world, expects to see increasing appetite for sharia’a -compliant funds including non-Muslim investors across a range of products and investments. The comments were made by Dr Ataf Ahmed, Head of Asset Management at QInvest, at the Opalesque Gulf Roundtable, which took place in Dubai on 20 October 2014.
• QInvest witnessing marked growth of interest in the GCC real estate sector
• Craig Cowie recently discussed investment opportunities at SuperReturn Middle East
QInvest, Qatar’s leading investment bank and one of the most prominent Islamic financial institutions in the world, has witnessed a marked growth of investor interest in the GCC real estate sector.
• QInvest has advised on 7 Sukuk transactions in 2014 with a total value of US$3.5bn
• International medium-term Sukuk issuance has risen significantly vs. 2013 YTD, increasing
from US$12.7bn to US$18.1bn
• QInvest expects continued global investor interest in Sukuk into 2015
This has been a banner year for the Islamic finance industry, thanks to a slew of new high-profile Islamic bonds from an unusual source: non-Muslim governments in Europe, Asia and Africa.
The UK won the race to be the first government from the western world to tap the fast-growing market for so-called sukuk, by structuring and selling a £200m Islamic bond in June. It was followed by Hong Kong, South Africa and Luxembourg.
By IFN
Launched on the 30th September at the tight end of initial price guidance of 0-2bps below midswaps, Luxembourg has finally priced its much-awaited inaugural Islamic debt at 0.436% – becoming the first sovereign in the eurozone to issue an Islamic debt.
• QInvest’s Alex Armstrong made comments at IFN Global Forum 2014 in Dubai
QInvest’s Head of Financial Institutions & Structured Finance, Alex Armstrong, spoke at the inaugural IFN Global Forum 2014, which took place at the Conrad Hotel, Dubai. Alex was part of the Middle East Market Review panel and discussed how recent Sukuk activity by international issuers indicates that Islamic finance is becoming a more mainstream source of funding.
By V L Srinivasan, Qatar Today Magazine
Cash registers are ringing and business prospects look upwards. How should businessmen prudently manage their assets to ensure unhindered growth? Qatar Today finds out more about asset management in the country.
QInvest, Qatar's leading investment bank and one of the most prominent Islamic financial institutions in the world, is pleased to announce that it was presented with the “Best Sukuk Structuring House in the Middle East” award at the London Sukuk Summit 2014, which was held at the Jumeirah Carlton Towers in London, UK.
Seminars to encourage university students to enrol in finance major
More than 20% increase, compared to 2013, in the number of students enrolling in finance post QInvest's seminars