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His Excellency Governor of Qatar Central Bank and Chairman of Qatar Investment Authority, Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al-Thani met with Chairman of Citigroup, John Dugan and Chairman of Euroclear Group, Francesco Vanni d'Archirafi on the sidelines of the 2025 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) held in Washington DC in the United States of America from 13 to 18 October 2025. During the meetings, they reviewed the latest global developments in banking and finance.

beIN Media Group (beIN), one of the leading sports and entertainment media networks in the world, has announced a strategic partnership with Rafeeq, one of Qatar’s leading delivery and e-commerce platforms. The collaboration aims to provide customers with a fast, seamless, and convenient way to access beIN’s world-class sports and entertainment content.Through the partnership, Rafeeq users can now purchase beIN receivers directly through the Rafeeq app, with delivery straight to their doorstep. Once received, customers can simply call 133 to activate their preferred beIN package and instantly enjoy a world of premium entertainment, from Hollywood blockbusters to the most anticipated live sports, including top European football leagues, Formula 1, the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, the build-up to the FIFA World Cup 2026, as well as major tennis and basketball tournaments and more.To mark the occasion, a signing ceremony was held at beIN’s MENA Headquarters in Doha. The event was attended by Hamad Aljaber, Manager of Consumer Sales at beIN, and Ahmed Abdulla, Media Manager at Rafeeq, who officially signed the agreement, along with senior managers from both organisations.Commenting on the partnership, Hamad Aljaber, Manager of Consumer Sales at beIN, said: “We are delighted to partner with Rafeeq, a trusted and fast-growing Qatari brand. This collaboration enhances accessibility for our customers, allowing them to experience beIN’s premium content more easily than ever through Rafeeq’s reliable and innovative delivery ecosystem.”Ahmed Abdulla, Media Manager at Rafeeq, added: At Rafeeq, we are proud to partner with beIN, one of the most recognised media networks in the world. This collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding the range of essential and lifestyle services available through the Rafeeq app. By offering beIN receivers directly to our customers, we’re making premium sports and entertainment content more accessible than ever to households across Qatar — all through the convenience of Rafeeq’s trusted delivery ecosystem.”As part of the agreement, beIN and Rafeeq will also collaborate on exclusive offers and promotional campaigns designed to reward customers and enhance their viewing experience.To learn more and purchase the beIN receiver, the Rafeeq app, available on iOS and Android, may be downloaded.

Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Finance, has signed an agreement with the World Bank Group to establish an office that will serve Qatar and support the wider region. This initiative comes within the framework of strengthening bilateral co-operation and supporting economic development efforts across the region. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, now being held in Washington, DC. “This agreement reflects Qatar’s commitment to deepening its international partnerships with leading financial institutions and accelerating the implementation of sustainable development programmes adopted by the country, in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030,” the Ministry of Finance said in a release. The establishment of the World Bank office in Qatar provides an advanced platform for the exchange of technical and financial expertise with institutions and multilateral organisations. This new partnership also highlights Qatar’s status as a leading regional hub for economic and financial development, reaffirming its commitment to open and effective international cooperation in pursuit of inclusive and sustainable growth.

His Excellency the Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari participated in the meeting of Arab Finance Ministers, alongside Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group and several finance ministers.The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, now taking place in Washington, DC. The meeting comes as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation with international financial institutions, exchange views on global economic developments, and explore opportunities to support financial stability and promote sustainable growth in the region.It aims to highlight the achievements of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in addressing global and regional priorities, and explore opportunities for cooperation across several actionable economic and financial sectors – contributing to the empowerment of both regional and global economic growth.The meeting also shed light on the attractiveness of the investment environment in GCC countries and the creation of high-quality opportunities across various sectors. In addition, it addressed the economic and development policies expected to be adopted as part of joint GCC efforts in the coming phase.

Alfardan Automobiles, the official importer of BMW Group vehicles in Qatar, has announced the arrival of the BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 in Qatar.Marking the only unit available in Qatar and one of just 92 produced globally, the model highlights BMW’s dedication to performance, craftsmanship, and rarity while paying tribute to the legendary Valentino Rossi.The BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 has been created as a celebration of Rossi’s remarkable motorsport legacy, with his iconic racing number “46” and signature details featured prominently on the car.Distinctive design highlights include bold yellow accents across the grille, brake calipers and wheels, along with exclusive VR46 badging and bespoke finishes that make this model instantly recognisable to enthusiasts and collectors alike.Beneath its striking exterior, the BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 is equipped by M’s renowned engineering, blending sheer driving performance with precision dynamics that bring motorsport passion to the road.Every detail has been carefully considered to create a car that is as exhilarating to drive as it is rare to own.Globally, production has been capped at just 92 cars, with 46 available in each of two striking colour variants.The model for Qatar comes in Frozen Tanzanite Blue, a shade that perfectly complements the yellow exterior details and carbon-fibre elements, while further underlining the car’s exclusivity within the local market.The car is equipped with a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder M TwinPower Turbo engine, producing 550 horsepower, enabling it to sprint from 0-100kph in just 3.4 seconds.With a top speed of 302kph, adaptive M suspension, M Carbon ceramic brakes, and an exhaust system tuned for both sound and performance, the model delivers the ultimate BMW M driving experience, whether on the racetrack or Qatar’s open highways.“The arrival of the BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 in Qatar is an exciting moment, and we are immensely proud to welcome this one-of-a-kind model to our market,” said Alfardan Automobiles general manager Ayman Berjawi.“With only 92 cars worldwide, and just a single unit here in Qatar, this edition captures the essence of exclusivity, while celebrating the spirit of Valentino Rossi and the craftsmanship of BMW M,” he said. “For our customers and motorsport enthusiasts, it represents a unique opportunity to connect with racing heritage through a car that is truly extraordinary.”

Al Abdulghani Motors signed a partnership agreement with Petrolube Group to become the exclusive distributor of Petromin lubricants in Qatar.The agreement was signed by Abdo Sweidan, Chief Operating Officer of Al Abdulghani Motors and Clint Nickall, CEO of International Business from Petrolube Group, in the presence of senior executives and distinguished guests.This partnership aligns with Al Abdulghani Motors’ strategy to provide integrated mobility solutions and enhance its transport services in Qatar by building strategic collaborations with leading regional and global partners.Through its collaboration with Petrolube Group, one of the largest subsidiaries of Petromin Corporation with more than six decades of industrial expertise, Al Abdulghani Motors will introduce a comprehensive range of high-performance lubricants, renowned for their advanced formulations and exceptional quality.The partnership responds to growing customer demand for reliable products that maintain engine performance under various operating conditions, reinforcing Al Abdulghani Motors’ ongoing commitment to delivering smart and sustainable automotive solutions.Speaking at the launch event, Sweidan said: “We are pleased to announce our partnership with Petrolube Group. This collaboration reinforces our dedication to the Best-in-Town philosophy, creating partnerships that embody excellence, innovation, and customer-centricity, while continuing to deliver state-of-the-art mobility solutions that meet the evolving needs of the Qatari market.”Nickall said: “We are delighted to announce the formalisation of our partnership with Al Abdulghani Motors — a collaboration between two leading players in their respective markets, each with extensive experience in the automotive industry and a wide range of service offerings. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to delivering excellence and innovation and sets the stage for creating many success stories by providing top-tier products, quality, and services to the market.”Established in Qatar in 1958, Al Abdulghani Motors has grown to become one of the country’s most trusted automotive leaders, delivering comprehensive and innovative mobility solutions that include new and certified pre-owned vehicle sales, car rentals, heavy equipment, and advanced after-sales services.Founded in 1968 by royal decree as a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and ExxonMobil, Petrolube began its journey manufacturing lubricants and greases. Over the years, the company has grown significantly to become one of the region’s leading manufacturers, marketers, and distributors of lubricants.Today, Petrolube is a fully integrated provider of automotive solutions and services, operating across the Middle East, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia, with a strong presence in more than 40 countries, producing over 250 different Petromin lubricants.As part of this partnership, Al Abdulghani Motors is building an extensive distribution network to ensure Petromin lubricants are available through all resellers across Qatar, aiming to meet the rising demand for high-performance lubricants and support the market with trusted maintenance solutions.

QNB Group announced the “successful adoption” of JP Morgan’s Kinexys Digital Payments network for USD clearing, marking a major milestone in QNB’s cross-border payments modernisation journey. QNB is the first Qatar-based bank to go live on Kinexys Digital Payments, the scalable blockchain deposit account network from JP Morgan, one of the world’s largest USD clearing banks , for all no-deduct outbound USD clearing and settlement. Through Kinexys Digital Payments, QNB can process USD payments with faster settlement times, delivering improved speed, reliability, and predictability of USD flows. The blockchain-based payment rails are designed to be no-deduct and aim to ensure full preservation of payment amount until reaching the final beneficiary. The Kinexys Digital Payments network reaches the global and diverse JP Morgan USD clearing client base, progressively enabled for direct payouts, which enables QNB to deliver a next-generation cross-border payment experience. Akshika Gupta, Global Head of Client Solutions for Kinexys Digital Payments, Kinexys by JP Morgan, said: “QNB’s movement of all no-deduct USD clearing to the Kinexys Digital Payments network is a significant moment, highlighting its commitment to forward looking innovation for itself and its clients. QNB’s adoption of Kinexys Digital Payments continues to grow, and we are delighted to continue our collaboration in the region.” This collaboration aligns with QNB’s long-term objective of enhancing global payments capabilities and clearing efficiency, reducing reliance on multi-leg settlement paths. It also reinforces the bank’s commitment to improve client satisfaction with faster and more reliable settlements through its participation in a modern, blockchain-based correspondent banking ecosystem. QNB said it is “committed to providing its clients with seamless and future-ready” payment solutions. The adoption of JP Morgan’s Kinexys Digital Payments network represents a major step in QNB’s journey to modernize cross-border payments. By leveraging blockchain technology, QNB is enhancing the speed, transparency, and reliability of USD settlements for its clients. This milestone reflects its commitment to innovation and to delivering a seamless payment experience for customers worldwide. QNB Group is one of the leading financial institutions in the Middle East and Africa and is ranked as the most valuable banking brand in the MEA region. Present in some 28 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa, it offers tailored products and services supported by innovation and backed by a team of over 31,000 professionals dedicated to driving banking excellence, worldwide.

A top LuLu Group executive has called on Indian companies to shift from “transactional trade” to strategic investment and view Qatar as a launchpad for global markets.Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the Qatar-India Joint Business Council meeting organised in Doha by Qatar Chamber, Dr Mohamed Althaf, Global Director of LuLu Group International, underscored Qatar’s world-class infrastructure, favourable tax regime, and access to major international trade corridors. He said: “Indian companies should look to Qatar as a springboard for global markets... they should think that this country also offers enormous infrastructure in terms of business, trade, and investments.”Dr Althaf noted that Qatar “has crossed beyond outdated models on commodity exchange” and “the buy and sell type of transaction,” and emphasised that the LNG-rich Gulf state has positioned itself as an investment destination with world-class infrastructure.He pointed to the recent visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to India, emphasising the reciprocal engagement of major investment houses “as signs of a maturing partnership”. “What we are looking at now is inward investment into Qatar, joint ventures, collaborations, and co-creative businesses,” Dr Althaf stressed.Dr Althaf emphasised that Qatar’s economic platform is well-positioned to support Indian firms in the smart manufacturing and digital transformation sectors, saying: “They have access to global markets and investment houses. India also has tremendous potential in terms of a lot of good startups and technology firms. That will be a very good synergy.”

QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, announced the license approval has been received for a digital-first banking entity, ezbank, from the Central Bank of Egypt.This milestone reflects the Group’s commitment to supporting the Central Bank of Egypt’s vision for financial inclusion and digital transformation, as well as the government’s broader economic development strategy. The license approval for ezbank is an important step in Egypt’s ongoing efforts to transform the banking sector. By securing the approval, ezbank positions itself at the forefront of this transformation, reflecting Egypt’s growing role as a hub for innovation and financial inclusion.ezbank will combine advanced digital technology with international best practices to offer seamless financial services to a broad customer base. The bank will use mobile-first platforms, AI-driven tools, and smart risk management to make transactions easier, increase access, and support Egypt’s digital economy.

QNB Group, one of the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, has posted a nine-month net profit of QR12.8bn, up 1% on the same period last year.Net profit before ‘Pillar Two Taxes’ reached QR13.9bn in nine months that ended on September 30, which is an increase of 9% compared to September 2024.Operating income increased by 9% to reach QR33.3bn, which reflects QNB Group’s “ability to maintain successful growth” across a range of revenue sources.Total assets (as on September 30, 2025) reached QR1,389bn, an increase of 9% on September 30, 2024, mainly driven by growth in loans and advances (by 11%) to reach QR1,001bn.Customer deposits increased by 6% to reach QR963bn (as on September 30, 2025) from the same period last year.QNB Group’s efficiency (cost to income) ratio stood at 23.3%, which is considered “one of the best ratios” among large financial institutions in the MEA region.The ratio of non-performing loans to gross loans stood at 2.9% (as on September 30, 2025), which is “one of the lowest” amongst financial institutions in the MEA region.This, QNB noted, reflects the “high quality” of the Group’s loan book and the effective management of credit risk.In addition, loan loss coverage ratio stood at 100%, which reflects the “prudent approach” adopted by QNB Group towards non-performing loans.Total equity (at the end of September this year) increased to QR121bn, up 7% on September 2024.Earnings per share reached QR1.31 in September this year.QNB Group’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) (as on September 30, 2025), amounted to 19.5%. Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) and Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR - as on September 30, 2025), amounted to 151% and 105% respectively.These ratios are higher than the regulatory minimum requirements of the QCB and Basel III reforms requirements.Group statistics: QNB Group’s presence spans some 28 countries across three continents operating from approximately 900 locations, over 5,000 ATMs supported by more than 31,000 staff.

QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa , announced the successful refinancing of its $1.5bn unsecured syndicated term loan facility. QNB Group CEO Abdulla Mubarak al-Khalifa, commented:“This refinancing attracted the interest of global and regional banks and helped us further broaden our investor base. The issuance was substantially oversubscribed at very competitive all-in pricing, which despite challenging global markets demonstrates our standing as a high-quality issuer.” The $1.5bn facility, with a maturity of five years, was well supported by both regional and international banks with significant oversubscription. Global Coordinators of the facility were HSBC, DBS, and SCB, and Initial Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners were Mizuho, Barclays and JPM. HSBC was mandated as the Documentation Coordinator, DBS as Syndication Coordinator and Mizuho as Facility Agent.

Alfardan Automotive, a division of Alfardan Group, has announced a landmark collaboration with First Finance Company, a subsidiary of Dukhan Bank Group, introducing a permanent financing programme that sets new standards for accessibility and flexibility in premium vehicle ownership.The long-term initiative reflects the group’s commitment to delivering customer-focused solutions that enhance every stage of the automotive journey. The official signing ceremony recently took place at the Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle (SV) showroom at Burj Alfardan in Lusail City, in the presence of representatives from both parties, marking the beginning of this permanent initiative that will benefit both existing and prospective customers.The programme, which is now available across Alfardan Automotive showrooms, offers customers a suite of benefits designed to make ownership more attainable and convenient. Through the partnership, Alfardan Automotive and First Finance are setting a new benchmark for convenience and peace of mind in premium automotive retail.Samer Bou Dargham, chief sales officer at Alfardan Automotive, said: “The collaboration with First Finance Company reflects our ongoing dedication to customer satisfaction and our leadership in the automotive market. By embedding flexible, innovative financing solutions into the ownership experience, we are not only meeting today’s customer needs but also building the foundation for lasting trust and loyalty.”Eslah Assem, First Finance CEO, said: “We are proud of this strategic partnership, which will represent a qualitative leap in the world of car financing in Qatar, providing customers with multiple financing options that suit their needs. Signing this agreement is part of our successive steps to strengthen First Finance's position as a leading company in the Qatari market and the region.“This is in line with our approach, which is primarily based on enabling our customers to transform their aspirations into reality by providing seamless services and processes, and innovative solutions that comply with the provisions of Islamic Shariah. We are pleased with this cooperation and hope to build upon it in the future.”First Finance offers financing services to all bank customers, regardless of whether they work in the public or private sector. This makes it a strategic financing partner relied upon by all Alfardan Automobiles customers, including both Qataris and residents.First Finance also allows its customers to obtain advance credit approvals for financing through the company's mobile application, the FFC Mobile App, before the customer even visits its headquarters.By embedding financing into the heart of its customer experience, Alfardan Automotive is reaffirming its role as a forward-thinking industry leader, one that goes beyond sales to create holistic ownership experiences. More than a milestone, this collaboration is an additional step that sets the tone for how automotive retail in Qatar will evolve in the years ahead.