His Excellency the Governor of Qatar Central Bank (QCB) Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud al-Thani said that Qatar's National Day, which falls on December 18 of every year, is an opportunity to renew belonging, loyalty and allegiance to the homeland and the wise leadership, and to express pride in the national identity.
In exclusive statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the occasion of Qatar National Day, HE the QCB Governor said that celebrating this day embodies the spirit of national unity and commemorates the state's founding, as well as those who shaped Qatar's renaissance, pointing out that it is also an affirmation of the country's commitment to the fundamental principles and values upon which it was founded.
HE the QCB Governor highlighted the outstanding achievements that have been accomplished under the wise leadership and vision of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, which enabled Qatar to occupy an advanced position on the regional and global level. This has been proved by international organisations and institutions that praised the humanitarian and civilisational role played by the State of Qatar in the region and the world as a whole, which is considered a true source of pride.
His Excellency praised the noble meanings reflected in Qatar National Day's 2025 slogan 'With You It Rises, From You It Awaits,' drawn from a speech delivered by His Highness the Amir during his 2016 visit to Qatar University, during which His Highness indicated that Qatar prospers through its people and relies on them to continue growing. His Excellency noted that the slogan affirms the value of Qatari citizens and their role in building the country, encouraging them to continue their journey towards development by giving and serving the community.
He pointed out that QCB's achievements are in line with the National Day slogan, which affirms that the State of Qatar's renaissance is built by its people, expecting more creativity and innovation from them. He highlighted the bank's keenness to invest in Qatari talents, recognising the value of human resources in achieving economic development, noting that Qatari talents and competencies constitute one of the supporting pillars of the third strategy for the financial sector, and are given the highest priority to create a banking generation of citizens capable of creativity, innovation, and leading the banking and financial sector.
He stressed that celebrating Qatar's National Day reflects the country's connection to its past and its historical and cultural identity, as recalls the sacrifices made by its founder, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, the honourable people of Qatar and the leaders who followed the founder, noting that it is they who laid the foundations of the modern state, and achieved accomplishments that link the past with the present, which are commemorated on Qatar National Day.
Regarding QCB's achievements for this year, HE the QCB Governor said that 2025 was full of accomplishments that brought about a qualitative leap in the financial sector, in line with the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030). Significant progress has been made in implementing the strategic objectives outlined in the Third Financial Sector Strategy, QCB's 2024-2030 Strategy, the FinTech Strategy, and the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Strategy for the Financial Sector, he added.
HE the Governor of QCB indicated that several pioneering initiatives were implemented, including the issuance of instructions for the establishment and operation of a real estate development escrow account, as well as instructions for data processing and protection, the issuance of a sustainable finance framework, and the issuance of a circular on financial services for customers with disabilities and the elderly, in addition to the issuance of a circular announcing a change in the fifth issue of the Riyal banknotes in accordance with the laws in force in the State of Qatar.
The first auction within the distributors framework was successfully executed, resulting in the issuance of government bonds and sukuk denominated in local currency on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, he continued, adding that the second phase of the primary distributors framework was also successfully implemented through secondary market trading and the listing of Ijara sukuk, following the highly successful launch of the first phase in January 2025.
As part of the bank's commitment to supporting emerging national companies in the field of financial technology, which contributes to building an advanced digital financial and banking system, QCB continued to grant licenses to financial technology companies to conduct their services. By the end of September 2025, the number of licensed companies in this field reached 14 companies subject to the supervision and control of QCB in the financial technology sector, in addition to granting approval to several companies to join the regulatory sandbox and the accelerated regulatory sandbox, he added.
His Excellency also pointed out that, as part of the bank's commitment to providing effective initiatives that utilise modern technologies such as digitalisation and artificial intelligence, QCB has worked to facilitate transactions and bring basic financial services closer to all segments of society, thereby enhancing financial inclusion in the country. For example, the Apple Pay service was launched for 'Himyan' cardholders, in addition to collaborating with Qatar Airways' Privilege Club to provide a more distinctive experience for Himyan cardholders, enabling them to benefit from the club's advantages, such as earning 'Avios' points when using Himyan cards for their daily purchases, he further explained.
He noted the continued growth of international reserves and foreign currency liquidity at QCB, which reached approximately QR261.1bn in September 2025, registering a growth rate of 3.1% compared to September 2024.
QCB's total official reserves also reached approximately QR201.5bn in September 2025, with a growth rate of 3.7% compared to September 2024, while the total assets of commercial banks reached approximately QR2.15tn in September 2025, representing a growth rate of 6.2% compared to September 2024, he added.
He concluded his statements to QNA by emphasising that the bank continues its work in accordance with the strategies and objectives set to enhance the sustainability of the financial sector, increase its resilience, and support stability, thereby contributing to diversification and innovation, supporting financial inclusion, and excellence in banking and financial practices through pioneering future initiatives and projects that will contribute to supporting the digital transformation of the financial sector.
