A banking summit in Qatar will discuss new financial regulations and key initiatives that will facilitate growth in the banking sector and put the country on the road to becoming the region’s financial hub.

The Meed Qatar Banking Summit 2013, which will take place from September 9 to 11 at the Renaissance Doha City Centre Hotel, is backed by Qatar Central Bank, Qatar Financial Market Authority and Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority.

It will gather over 100 senior decision-makers from leading domestic and international lenders, insurance and financial institutions to examine a new regulatory framework for financial institutions and to discuss the roadmap for achieving its goal of becoming a financial powerhouse in the region.

The summit, will for the first time be able to discuss the ramifications of new rules introduced by the Central Bank recently, aimed at regulating the anticipated borrowing spree required to fund Qatar’s massive infrastructure spending requirements.

By putting a cap on banks security portfolios to 25 per cent of their capital and reserves, the Central Bank hopes to avoid the mistakes of the global financial crisis which was largely precipitated by the massive debt exposure of banks.

Abdulla Bin Saoud Al Thani, governor of Qatar Central Bank will deliver the keynote address at the summit in which he will discuss the new regulatory framework for local banks as well as international banks looking to set up offices in the country.

This will then be supported by presentations from the Qatar Financial Markets Authority and the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority to deliver a comprehensive overview of the latest changes and initiatives in key areas of Qatar’s banking, finance and insurance sectors.

“Among these include the development of Qatar’s capital and equity markets to attract global and regional fund managers and investors. The Middle East has long been considered mostly as a source of funds, with some of the world’s biggest sovereign wealth funds; however, the region has recently emerged as a source of deals, and this is where Qatar hopes to create a powerful presence,” said Edmund O’ Sullivan, chairman, Meed Events, organisers of the summit.

The summit will also help delegates understand the implications of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) sanctions as well as anti-money laundering best practices to ensure full compliance to global and regional regulatory frameworks of the banking and finance industry.

Qatar has also announced plans to invest in listed securities in emerging markets through Aventicum Capital Management, a joint venture it established last year with Credit Suisse, once its licence is obtained. This is in addition to the $250 million partnership Qatar signed with Barclays Natural Resource Investments, which will look after opportunities related to private equity investments in the natural resources sector.

Experts also foresee Qatar developing infrastructure funds and bonds which could be listed and traded in support of the country’s massive projects outlay as it enters the next phase of its preparations for the FIFA 2022 World Cup. - TradeArabia News Service