DOHA: The inclusion of the Qatari bourse in the coveted MSCI and S&P Emerging Market indices last year has led to an inflow of an impressive $1.25bn into the market and a near-trebling of average daily turnover.
This was disclosed by the CEO of Qatar Stock Exchange, Rashid bin Ali Al Mansoori, at an event in London yesterday.
The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), in collaboration with QNB Financial Services and HSBC, yesterday opened a two-day roadshow in London to enhance investor relations between international investment institutions and Qatari listed companies.
The forum was attended by Yousef bin Ali Al Khater, Qatar Ambassador to the United Kingdom. The forum is designed to complement the companies’ ongoing investor relations activities through providing an opportunity for the senior management of listed companies to meet key decision makers from a number of the world’s largest international fund managers.
Al Khater said the forum contributes to strengthening economic and investment relations between Qatar and the UK, given the fact that Qatar is an important partner for the United Kingdom.
Al Mansoori, the CEO, said in a speech that these meetings, which aim at shedding light on the achievements of Qatar’s economy and listed companies, are part of QSE’s ongoing efforts to occupy a leading role in the international capital markets.
“Over the past few years, Qatar Stock Exchange has achieved significant growth. Whilst young it is now a well-established national institution that include profitable listed companies and offers various investment opportunities for local and international investors wishing to benefit from the success story of Qatar’s economy and the. We look forward to working with corporates and investors alike in advancing this role for the benefit of all Qatar’s stakeholders,” Al Mansoori said.
Al Mansoori also highlighted the macro and strategic story of Qatar and why there is a strong investment thesis in Qatar, adding that despite the recent marked decline in oil prices the government continues to invest heavily in the non-hydrocarbon sector.
He said that in addition to ongoing work on the infrastructure side, Qatar has taken concrete steps to improve access to foreign investors pursuant to the Emiri Decree in 2015, rising the foreign ownership limit in Qatari stocks.
Abdul Aziz Al Emadi, Listing Director of Qatar Stock Exchange, said the representatives of the international portfolio managers have shown great interest in investing in Qatari corporates listed on Qatar Stock Exchange and discussed various aspects related to operational activities and future prospects, financial indicators for these companies, during dozens of solitary meetings that all of them brought together with representatives of the Qatari joint stock companies to participate the meeting. The Peninsula
