The accolade of Best SME Startup Scheme was granted to QDB at the Banker Middle East Product Awards 2013.
Qatar Development Bank (QDB) was recently recognised for its efforts to grow a solid entrepreneurial industry in Qatar.
The coveted accolade of Best SME Startup Scheme was granted to QDB at the Banker Middle East Product Awards 2013 to underline the bank’s commitment to devise and roll out programmes for the development of the private sector in the country.
Adam Broom, CEO of CPI Financial, presented the award to QDB executive director (strategic planning and control) Abdulaziz al-Khalifa and said: “The Banker ME Product Awards help set the benchmark for the Mena region’s financial services industry. We have designed the awards to encourage, inspire and reward distinction in the banking and finance industry by applauding products and services that are exceptionally innovative or are conducive to a better functioning market. QDB’s SME-oriented service portfolio is a true model to follow for the private sector to flourish and become integral to the progress of the economy.”
QDB’s CEO Mansour bin Ibrahim al-Mahmoud said, “We are honoured to be the recipient of this eminent award, which culminates essentially the amount of research and initiatives that we champion at QDB with the aim of developing solid fundamentals and a favourable atmosphere for SMEs. We firmly believe that creativity and innovation are at the heart of a healthy entrepreneurial culture. It is to this effect that we continuously invest to uphold our image of being the vanguard of entrepreneurship in Qatar.”
Al-Khalifa said, “The Banker ME Awards recognise our efforts to roll out a tailormade and successful programme designed to assist start-ups in every possible way. Additionally, the award accentuates the results we have achieved on the ground by enabling an increased participation of SMEs in the country’s ongoing development in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.”
In 2012, QDB was named the Best SME Finance Company of the Year by Arabian Business Magazine.
QDB has crafted a suite of products and services aimed at supporting aspiring entrepreneurs. Among these services is QDB’s online advisory system, the SME Toolkit - a customised service intended to cater to the needs of the Qatari
private sector.
The QDB Toolkit is a web-based online resource that supports and promotes the development and growth of private sector businesses in Qatar.
