The Qatar Stock Exchange has introduced securities lending and borrowing and waived trading fees on ETFs to boost liquidity and investor diversification, supporting a 33% rise in GCC IPO proceeds in Q1 2025. These initiatives, alongside strategic partnerships and a $1 billion investment incentive programme, position Qatar as a resilient financial hub in the Gulf amid ongoing economic transformation.
Over 300 global institutional investors recently gathered at HSBC’s GCC Exchanges Conference in London, engaging with all bourses from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and over 100 GCC corporates. This event, now in its fourth year, highlighted the region’s reform-driven growth and the maturation of its capital markets. Discussions centered on the GCC’s robust initial public offering (IPO) pipeline, deep sovereign and corporate bond markets, and expanding private credit platforms—all underpinned by strong fiscal buffers and multi-year economic transformation agendas. The ongoing liberalisation of GCC financial markets, combined with privatisation programmes by GCC governments, is aligning with investors’ increasing desire for diversification amid global market volatility.
The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) stands out as a particularly active player in this evolving landscape. Despite a global slowdown in issuances, GCC capital markets demonstrated resilience in the first quarter of 2025, with IPO proceeds climbing 33% compared to the same period last year. Qatar Stock Exchange-listed companies reported net profits of QR13.22 billion in Q1, continuing a year-on-year growth trend. Abdul Hakeem Mostafawi, CEO of HSBC Qatar, remarked on the region’s appeal, stating that “Global investors are recalibrating for resilience, and the GCC’s balance sheet strength and robust financial markets ecosystem has positioned the region as an increasingly credible alternative.” The QSE is reportedly investing in sophisticated platforms and investment tools to reinforce competitiveness and build investor confidence. Abdullah Mohammed al-Ansari, CEO of QSE, emphasized the exchange’s focus on enhancing market infrastructure and broadening access to sustainable investment opportunities, supporting both regional growth and investor diversification.
One significant development in Qatar’s capital market infrastructure is the introduction of securities lending and borrowing (SLB) on the QSE. The first domestic SLB transaction took place in May, marking a milestone towards increasing market liquidity and depth. HSBC acted as custodian and agent-lender, while QNB Financial Services was the borrower, with support from Edaa, the licensed service provider regulated by Qatar Financial Market Authority (QFMA). Industry insiders view this transaction as a crucial step toward enabling more sophisticated investment strategies and unlocking a substantial liquidity pool. Maha Al Sulaiti, Acting CEO at QNBFS, noted plans to offer this innovative service to qualified investor clients, allowing trading strategies on the QSE that were previously unavailable.
In addition to infrastructure enhancements, the QSE implemented a full waiver of trading fees on Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) starting March 2025 to stimulate ETF trading and improve overall market liquidity. This initiative aligns with the exchange’s Strategic Vision (2024-2030) and Qatar’s broader national development and financial sector strategies. Abdulaziz Nasser Al-Emadi, Acting CEO of QSE, described the move as fostering portfolio diversification and increasing the investor base for ETFs, positioning the QSE as a more competitive regional and global market.
Qatar’s financial ecosystem is also expanding through strategic partnerships and incentive programmes aimed at broadening investment and economic diversification. The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the sovereign wealth fund managing around $500 billion, has partnered with Canadian asset manager Fiera Capital to launch a $200 million fund focused on Qatari equities. This initiative is designed to attract global asset managers and deepen Qatar’s financial sector, with Fiera Capital opening a local office to reinforce its regional commitment. This fund follows a similar investment collaboration between QIA and the Ashmore Group and ties into larger efforts to diversify away from fossil fuel dependency by encouraging international financial firms to establish local operations.
Moreover, Invest Qatar recently announced a $1 billion incentive programme to accelerate investment and diversify the economy further. The scheme offers financial support covering up to 40% of relevant expenses over five years, targeting new investments, expansion, digitization, job creation, and knowledge transfer. Four specialised packages address key sectors: Advanced Industries, Logistics, Technology, and Lusail Financial Services. Notably, the Lusail package aims to enhance fintech, insurance, and wealth management services, underpinning Lusail’s role as Qatar’s premier financial district.
Fallout from geopolitical tensions, such as the Iran-led missile attack on a U.S. base in Qatar, has not hampered these financial initiatives. Instead, Qatar remains focused on positioning itself as a resilient financial hub within the Gulf. A growing emphasis on digital transformation is also evident, with the digital economy projected to exceed $20.8 trillion globally by 2025 and representing over 24% of global GDP. This trend significantly influences investment and trading sectors, which benefit from advancements in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other technologies. Events like the Qatar Financial Expo & Awards underscore the country’s role in pioneering digitized investment solutions. Recognition, such as the “BEST CFD BROKER” award granted to Evest for its innovative digital trading platforms, illustrates the growing integration of fintech in Qatar’s financial landscape.
To bolster transparency and investor confidence, the Qatar Stock Exchange has also formalized partnerships to enhance research coverage on listed companies. A notable example is the recent memorandum of understanding with Arqaam Capital, which supports the QSE’s Sponsored Research Project. This initiative aims to provide independent equity analyses, further attracting both institutional and retail investment.
Taken together, these developments reinforce Qatar’s ambition to fortify its capital markets through enhanced infrastructure, innovative investment tools, and strategic collaborations. The country’s comprehensive approach—from incentivizing foreign investors and digitizing financial services to fostering liquidity and transparency—positions it as a formidable player in the GCC’s evolving economic and financial landscape.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is recent, published on June 28, 2025, and does not appear to be recycled or republished content. The information aligns with recent developments in Qatar’s financial sector, including the introduction of securities lending and borrowing (SLB) on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) in May 2024. ([gulf-times.com](https://www.gulf-times.com/article/682504/business/qse-and-edaa-qatar-oversee-first-onshore-slb-transaction-in-qatar?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data, such as the QSE-listed companies reporting QR13.22 billion net profits for Q1-2025, indicating a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Abdul Hakeem Mostafawi, CEO of HSBC Qatar, and Abdullah Mohammed al-Ansari, CEO of QSE, are unique to this report. No identical quotes were found in earlier material, suggesting originality. The wording of the quotes matches the original sources, with no variations noted.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Gulf Times, a reputable news outlet in Qatar. The information is corroborated by other reputable sources, such as the Financial Times and Reuters, enhancing the reliability of the report. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/75de30b1-2f50-4ac2-ab61-49649df4f8c8?utm_source=openai), [business.hsbc.ae](https://www.business.hsbc.ae/en-gb/insights/innovation-and-transformation/why-the-future-lies-with-menat?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and consistent with recent developments in Qatar’s financial sector. The introduction of SLB on the QSE and the reported net profits of QR13.22 billion for Q1-2025 are verifiable and align with other reputable sources. ([gulf-times.com](https://www.gulf-times.com/article/682504/business/qse-and-edaa-qatar-oversee-first-onshore-slb-transaction-in-qatar?utm_source=openai), [ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/75de30b1-2f50-4ac2-ab61-49649df4f8c8?utm_source=openai)) The language and tone are consistent with typical corporate communications, and the report lacks excessive or off-topic detail.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent, original, and corroborated by reputable sources, with no significant credibility risks identified.
