The banking sector has seen steady, robust credit growth in recent years, even as macroeconomic indicators throughout the GCC have signalled a challenging period ahead. From end-2010 through December 2015 bank loans in Qatar expanded at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19%, according to figures from Qatar Central Bank (QCB). By the end...
During her visit to Qatar in late November 2015, Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the IMF, issued a statement endorsing the regulatory work carried out by the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) in recent years. “Substantial progress has been made on enhancing financial sector regulation, including adopting the international regulatory...
In recent years Qatar’s insurance sector has expanded swiftly on the back of government spending, economic development and a steadily increasing awareness of the benefits of coverage. Between 2005 and the end of 2015 the industry posted a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21%, according to data from Moody’s. By the end of 2014 Qatar was the third-largest insurance market in the region,...
In recent years Qatar’s Islamic financial services (IFS) sector has expanded rapidly, on the back of government support and growing interest among domestic corporations and individuals alike. While tightening liquidity has the potential to result in slightly curtailed growth across the banking sector as a whole in 2016-17, sharia-compliant lenders are widely considered to be in a better...
After a banner year in 2014, Qatar’s capital markets endured a period of volatility in 2015. The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) ended 2015 down around 15% on the previous year, according to data from the exchange. Market participants and observers alike attributed the drop to fluctuating investor sentiment linked to the continued decline of energy prices, contracting government spending and...
After half a decade of strong growth, Qatar’s banking sector is well positioned to weather regional economic volatility in 2016. As of the end of the first half of 2015 the country was home to the third-largest banking industry in the GCC, boasting total assets of $293bn. The sector consists of 18 institutions, including six domestic conventional lenders; Qatar Development Bank, which provides...
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