The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) has hosted its 17th annual networking event and the inaugural ‘Qatar Business Awards’ that brought together hundreds of QFC companies to network and share expertise and best practices.
The inaugural ‘Qatar Business Awards’ celebrated and recognised QFC licensed firms for their achievement across five distinct categories. This year’s winners included Mitsubishi Hitachi (‘New Business of the Year’), CB Innovation Services (‘Customer Excellence’), Thomson Reuters (‘Most Innovative’ award), Bank of China Qatar (‘Best Performing Company’), and the Spanish Business Council (‘Best Non-for-Profit’ award).
In addition, Amwal received a ‘Special Recognition’ award, while Commercial Bank was named ‘Best Partner of the Year’. Speakers at the event included Vikas Jain, head of Financial Institutions, Mena, Thomson Reuters; Clark Williams, director of Marketing, Msheireb Properties; and Aisha al-Sinani, director, Direct Services, Mada.
QFC Authority CEO Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to all the winners at our inaugural ‘Qatar Business Awards’.
We are confident that their excellence will continue to reach greater heights in the coming year, and in the process, inspire the wider business community in Qatar.”
Al-Jaida added: “We are honoured to see the QFC continue to grow year after year, having now exceeded 570 registered firms and we look forward to welcoming leading businesses from Qatar and the wider world to our platform.”
Commercial Bank Group CEO Joseph Abraham said: “We are pleased to sponsor the Qatar Financial Centre’s ‘Qatar Business Awards’ 2018, as it is a valuable initiative that recognises and rewards businesses for their achievements in Qatar. “Commercial Bank has a long history of support for the Qatar Financial Centre, which plays an important role in Qatar’s economic development. This support continues today through our sponsorship of these awards.”
Bank of China Qatar president Lin Shengqiang said: “Bank of China QFC Branch joined Qatar Financial Centre one year ago, but its achievements are great. As a QFC firm, it is a huge honour to be a sponsor of such a spectacular event.
“In the future, Bank of China QFC Branch will support the development of local enterprises and promote the local usage of RMB actively, also seek to become the preferred bank of Chinese companies and local business community, leading RMB business bank and bridge linking China and Qatar market.”
PwC Qatar Country senior partner Bassam Hajhamad said: “PwC is delighted to collaborate with QFC and proud to have been shortlisted for the QFC Business Awards. Our reputation lies in building lasting relationships with our clients and focus on delivering value in what we do.”
Ahmed Hafez, head of Thomson Reuters, Qatar, said: “We are very pleased of the co-operation and support we receive from QFC whom we consider as one of our major strategic partners and the right platform to do business in Qatar. We look forward to more collaboration and business in the future as both of us grow.”
The ‘Qatar Business Awards’ will be held annually to recognise the achievements of firms registered on the QFC platform as well as inspire businesses to continue to set new standards of excellence.
