Commercial Bank the First in Qatar to Partner with Project Management Institute to Drive Project Excellence in the Region
This partnership enables Commercial Bank to become a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP) and establishes a strong foundation to enhance its capability-building programs through the integration of PMI's certifications and memberships, while leveraging PMI's expertise and resources to strengthen internal program and project delivery. It offers unparalleled access to specialized knowledge, advanced tools, and valuable networking opportunities, providing significant benefits for project professionals seeking to advance their careers in the dynamic financial sector.
PMI's regional leadership represented by Middle East and North Africa's Managing Director, Hanny Alshazly, and Head of Partnerships Sima Qafiti and Head of Markets, Rudolf Khoury, met with Commercial Bank Group CEO, Stephen Moss, EGM, Chief Human Capital Officer, Khalifa al Rayes & Project Lead and ATP Instructor, Ali Altajer.
The partnership also seeks to enhance the exchange of best practices and the co-development of case studies and publications. It will foster collaborative efforts to create opportunities for Commercial Bank to reflect its thought leadership at regional and global PMI events, while exploring avenues for PMI's participation in the Bank's own initiatives.
Stephen Moss, Group Chief Executive Officer at Commercial Bank, said: 'Commercial Bank is dedicated to setting new benchmarks in professional development, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and driving strategic impact. In line with our vision, we are proud to partner with the Project Management Institute, a globally recognized leader in advancing the project management profession since 1969. This collaboration reflects our continued commitment to excellence and innovation, as we strive to equip our teams with the required skills to achieve operational success.'
PMI's Regional Managing Director, Hanny Alshazly said 'As the first bank to become a PMI Authorized Training Partner, CBQ demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing professional capabilities within the financial sector—fully aligned with the Qatar National Vision 2030 for economic diversification and sustainable growth. We are honored to continue our partnership with CBQ, reinforcing our shared dedication to empowering Qatari professionals and driving impact at scale through world-class project management excellence.'
This collaboration will deliver strategic benefits, strengthening the professional management and execution of projects and portfolios.
About Project Management Institute PMI:
PMI is the leading authority in project management, dedicated to guiding the way to project success. Since 1969, PMI has shone a light on the power of project management and the people behind the projects. With a global community, gold-standard professional certifications, and career-long learning opportunities, PMI empowers current and aspiring project professionals, as well as organizations, with knowledge and resources to lead effectively and create an impact in the communities they serve. Join PMI in elevating our world – one project at a time. Connect with us at www.pmi.org, linkedin.com/company/projectmanagementinstitute, on Instagram @pmi_org, and on TikTok @PMInstitute.
About Commercial Bank CB:
Incorporated in 1974 as the first private bank in the country, Commercial Bank is today one of the leading financial institutions in Qatar with a profitable track record since inception. We continue to play an important role in driving innovation and raising service standards in banking across the region through our investment in new technology, a clear focus on customers and prudent management.
The country-wide network includes 27-location-strong physical network, operate the exclusive 'Diners Club' franchise in Qatar and Turkey. Listed on the Qatar Exchange and the first Qatari bank to list its Global Depository Receipts on the London Stock Exchange. Commercial Bank's bonds issuances are listed on the Irish Stock Exchange and the Swiss Exchange (SIX).
The Bank enjoys strong credit ratings of 'A' rating with a Stable outlook by Fitch, and 'A-' rating with a Stable outlook by S&P and 'A2' rating with a Stable outlook by Moody's.
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Mid East Info
a day ago
- Mid East Info
Commercial Bank the First in Qatar to Partner with Project Management Institute to Drive Project Excellence in the Region
Doha, Qatar – Commercial Bank, a leader in innovative digital banking solutions, became the first bank in the Middle East and North Africa to sign a strategic partnership with the Project Management Institute PMI, a global authority in project management dedicated to driving project success, during a ceremony held at the Bank's headquarters in Doha, Qatar, on 18 August 2025. This partnership enables Commercial Bank to become a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP) and establishes a strong foundation to enhance its capability-building programs through the integration of PMI's certifications and memberships, while leveraging PMI's expertise and resources to strengthen internal program and project delivery. It offers unparalleled access to specialized knowledge, advanced tools, and valuable networking opportunities, providing significant benefits for project professionals seeking to advance their careers in the dynamic financial sector. PMI's regional leadership represented by Middle East and North Africa's Managing Director, Hanny Alshazly, and Head of Partnerships Sima Qafiti and Head of Markets, Rudolf Khoury, met with Commercial Bank Group CEO, Stephen Moss, EGM, Chief Human Capital Officer, Khalifa al Rayes & Project Lead and ATP Instructor, Ali Altajer. The partnership also seeks to enhance the exchange of best practices and the co-development of case studies and publications. It will foster collaborative efforts to create opportunities for Commercial Bank to reflect its thought leadership at regional and global PMI events, while exploring avenues for PMI's participation in the Bank's own initiatives. Stephen Moss, Group Chief Executive Officer at Commercial Bank, said: 'Commercial Bank is dedicated to setting new benchmarks in professional development, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and driving strategic impact. In line with our vision, we are proud to partner with the Project Management Institute, a globally recognized leader in advancing the project management profession since 1969. This collaboration reflects our continued commitment to excellence and innovation, as we strive to equip our teams with the required skills to achieve operational success.' PMI's Regional Managing Director, Hanny Alshazly said 'As the first bank to become a PMI Authorized Training Partner, CBQ demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing professional capabilities within the financial sector—fully aligned with the Qatar National Vision 2030 for economic diversification and sustainable growth. We are honored to continue our partnership with CBQ, reinforcing our shared dedication to empowering Qatari professionals and driving impact at scale through world-class project management excellence.' This collaboration will deliver strategic benefits, strengthening the professional management and execution of projects and portfolios. About Project Management Institute PMI: PMI is the leading authority in project management, dedicated to guiding the way to project success. Since 1969, PMI has shone a light on the power of project management and the people behind the projects. With a global community, gold-standard professional certifications, and career-long learning opportunities, PMI empowers current and aspiring project professionals, as well as organizations, with knowledge and resources to lead effectively and create an impact in the communities they serve. Join PMI in elevating our world – one project at a time. Connect with us at on Instagram @pmi_org, and on TikTok @PMInstitute. About Commercial Bank CB: Incorporated in 1974 as the first private bank in the country, Commercial Bank is today one of the leading financial institutions in Qatar with a profitable track record since inception. We continue to play an important role in driving innovation and raising service standards in banking across the region through our investment in new technology, a clear focus on customers and prudent management. The country-wide network includes 27-location-strong physical network, operate the exclusive 'Diners Club' franchise in Qatar and Turkey. Listed on the Qatar Exchange and the first Qatari bank to list its Global Depository Receipts on the London Stock Exchange. Commercial Bank's bonds issuances are listed on the Irish Stock Exchange and the Swiss Exchange (SIX). The Bank enjoys strong credit ratings of 'A' rating with a Stable outlook by Fitch, and 'A-' rating with a Stable outlook by S&P and 'A2' rating with a Stable outlook by Moody's.
Egypt Independent
10-08-2025
- Egypt Independent
Trump says Qatari jet could be ready for use as Air Force One in 6 months. Experts are deeply skeptical
President Donald Trump told reporters last month the donated Qatari jet could be ready for his use as Air Force One in February 2026, well ahead of the long-delayed delivery of two presidential planes from Boeing through a more traditional acquisition process. 'They say February,' Trump said in late July, when asked by a reporter when he expected to be flying on the new plane. 'Much sooner than the others. The others are being built.' But former Defense officials and aviation analysts express deep skepticism about how realistic that timeline is, citing the immense task of upgrading a foreign government's plane to meet Air Force One's distinct requirements and ensuring it is safe and secure for a president to fly on, especially internationally. Andrew Hunter is a former assistant secretary of the Air Force under the Biden administration. He oversaw an annual budget of more than $54 billion for hundreds of acquisition programs, including Air Force One. He thinks it would be 'challenging, if not impossible,' to complete the jet in that timeframe without Trump waiving some of the requirements that typically need to occur before a president can fly on a new plane. 'It would not be possible to replicate all the capabilities of an Air Force One on (the donated jet), on any time frame shorter than what they're doing with (the Boeing program),' he said. Beyond the timeline concerns from an aviation perspective, the plan to use a donated Boeing 747-8 from Qatar poses a lot of questions and has drawn bipartisan scrutiny. Many are skeptical of the legality and ethics of accepting such a gift. Others are worried about the threat to security, based on how much goes into a jet fit for the leader of the United States. But Trump remains undaunted and continues to project optimism about the timeline. 'We'll get this one a year-and-a-half, two years earlier (than the Boeing planes),' the president told reporters in late July. The contracted jets continue to undergo renovations in San Antonio. The Qatari plane was previously parked in the city as well while awaiting upgrades, but open source aircraft tracker ADS-B Exchange shows the jet flew to Fort Worth Alliance Airport on June 29. The plane has rarely popped up on the open source tracker since then, with it last being recorded in late July at the Texas airport. Too soon? Refurbishments on commercial jets that don't have the strict and complicated requirements of Air Force One can take weeks or months depending on how much work needs to be done and the age of the aircraft. For example, according to aviation website Simply Flying, certain maintenance checks involving the complete disassembly of a plane are done every six to 12 years. That comprehensive inspection typically takes between three to six weeks. But security concerns mean what the Qatari plane needs to undergo is even more arduous than that disassembly, experts say, and is very likely to take longer. This February 15, 2025 photo shows a Boeing 747 on the tarmac of Palm Beach International airport after US President Donald Trump toured the aircraft. Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images The plane can be ready by February, said Richard Aboulafia, a managing director at boutique aerospace and defense management consultancy AeroDynamic Advisory, but not with the capability or security that an Air Force One needs, raising the possibility that the administration may plan to cut corners in order to deliver it in that timeframe. 'It is absolutely going to be ready to start flying in February,' Aboulafia said, 'and instantly transmitting every onboard conversation to anybody around the world who has a connection to it.' 'It's very different from stripping a plane down and inspecting it,' Aboulafia said. 'Very different – overhauling systems, overhauling engines, doing what you need to do to get the plane operationally ready. That's an extremely different job than scanning it for security risks, very different.' Retrofitting and installing the required security and communications equipment on a second-hand plane from another government, even a friendly one, is a monumental task, CNN has reported. US spy and security agencies tasked with the overhaul will need to essentially strip the aircraft down to its frame and rebuild it with the necessary equipment. The more changes made to the plane itself, said Frank Kendall, the Air Force secretary under the Biden administration, the more that will need to occur to ensure that it meets air-worthiness requirements, taking longer. 'There's a chance Trump will never get this airplane no matter what,' Kendall, who now does consulting work, said. However, Kendall, echoing other experts, said the donated jet could be ready in February, 'if the president waives almost all Air Force One unique requirements and minimizes modifications to the airplane.' 'It would probably result in a plane that would only be used inside the US,' he said. The White House and the Air Force did not respond to a request for comment. It's not clear where the upgrade process currently stands, and the experts CNN spoke to have not seen the jet in person. In early July, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his Qatari counterpart signed an agreement outlining the terms of the jet's 'unconditional donation,' CNN previously reported, although the terms have not been formally announced. An addendum to the agreement reviewed by CNN last month said the Air Force 'is in the process of finalizing the transfer of registration and will immediately begin execution of the required modifications.' New Air Force One a long time coming Conversations about replacing the decades-old planes currently used by the president began years ago under former President Barack Obama. Momentum began picking up under the first Trump administration when he struck a deal to purchase two existing aircraft from Boeing, but the addition of a plane donated by the Qatari royal family has added a strange and some say concerning twist to the saga. In 2018, Boeing confirmed it received a $3.9 billion contract for two new presidential planes. By 2022, the president of the United States was supposed to be in a new plane. A Boeing 747-8, one of two that had originally been ordered by a now-bankrupt Russian airline and later earmarked for an Air Force One replacement project, is seen parked at Victorville Airport in Victorville, California, U.S., March 26, 2019. Mike Blake/Reuters/File But that timeline also didn't pan out, leading Trump to find an alternative. When the president announced he planned to accept a jet from Qatar, it raised a lot of eyebrows. Several Republican senators expressed misgivings about the idea, noting the potential for security and legal risks. Trump's plan for the plane to go to his presidential library upon leaving office raised additional ethical concerns. And while Trump has said it would be stupid to turn down a 'free, very expensive airplane,' officials say renovating the jet could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. When asked how much it would cost to retrofit the new plane, Trump deflected. Officially, the price tag to retrofit the Qatari plane for use by the president is classified, but Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers in June that it will 'probably' cost less than $400 million. 'That's up to the military. I really don't know. I haven't been involved,' Trump said last month. 'It's their plane, it's, you know, the Air Force,' he said. 'They'll be spending that amount of money.' The Air Force is looking to fund the upgrades by transferring hundreds of millions of dollars from the vastly overbudget Sentinel program to an unspecified classified project, sources familiar with a congressional notification about the transfer previously told CNN. Sentinel is a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile system that is being developed to replace the US' aging Minuteman III missiles. Boeing's jets in San Antonio still hold promise Boeing's contract to replace two Air Force One jets had an original delivery date of 2022 – but now the planes are potentially expected by 2027, a timeline that would deliver them while Trump is still in office. It's one to two years earlier than Boeing had most recently predicted, after a global pandemic, supply chain issues and other problems stalled production and the company incurred losses totaling $2.5 billion on the program. Hunter, the former Air Force assistant secretary, argues one of the biggest design challenges of the program is finishing interior design work on the aircraft. In 2021, Boeing fired GDC Technics, which was hired as a subcontractor to design and build the interiors of the new planes, and later sued the company, citing delays. GDC Technics countersued and later filed for bankruptcy. Boeing declined to comment on where the interior work stands. While the Qatari jet will require a major overhaul to ensure its safety, security and operability as it carries the president, the new Boeing jets are following the more traditional route, made in the United States by a well-known manufacturer. And Aboulafia sees promise in the troubled company, which is trying to turn a corner. 'Everything is kind of turning around,' Aboulafia said. 'They just had the second clean quarter for their defense unit, which was amazing … I have a much higher level of confidence in all of their programs, really, as a consequence of the management changes.' Delivering the planes in the next two years – which Darlene Costello, the Air Force's acting acquisition chief, suggested was possible during her testimony before House lawmakers in May – would mark a significant acceleration for the project. 'I would not necessarily guarantee that date, but they are proposing to bring it in '27, if we can come to agreement on the requirement changes,' Costello said, referring to contract requirements that are being loosened to get to that earlier date – such as the Air Force 'relieving' Boeing of some of the top-clearance security requirements for workers performing work on the aircraft, which has also been blamed for some of the delays. Kendall, the former Air Force secretary, said at the forefront of the minds of those working on a new plane, should be safety and security, rather than cost or speed. 'As Defense Department acquisition executive, I was responsible for both Marine One and Air Force One,' Kendall said. 'Over the years, the people that set the requirements for these aircraft and that work at the White House are not constrained by time or money unless directed otherwise by the president. They're constrained by their imaginations about which scenarios might occur in which they might need something to support or protect the president. Those 'requirements' dictate both cost and schedule.' CNN's Alejandra Jaramillo, Natasha Bertrand, and Chris Isidore contributed to this report.
Mid East Info
07-08-2025
- Mid East Info
Press Release Exito Media Concepts Presents: The 40th Edition of the Digital Transformation Summit – Qatar 2025 Shaping the Digital Economy of Tomorrow Physical Conference on 10th September 2025, Doha
In an era defined by digital acceleration, Qatar is paving the way for a technology-driven future. From smart infrastructure to intelligent public services, the country's commitment to digital transformation aligns with its Qatar National Vision 2030—a roadmap toward sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-led growth. As government entities and enterprises double down on digitization, the impact is visible across industries: improved productivity, streamlined services, and real-time, data-driven decision-making are becoming the new normal. Yet, this progress also brings forward challenges such as the need for enhanced cybersecurity, stronger data sovereignty, and a digitally capable workforce. Case Study: Building a Digital-First Organization in Qatar A prominent organization in Qatar recently embarked on an ambitious digital transformation journey. Faced with fragmented legacy systems and siloed data operations, the organization struggled to meet growing stakeholder expectations and dynamic market demands. To address these gaps, it implemented a unified digital strategy centered on modernization, automation, and intelligence. Cloud infrastructure replaced outdated systems, increasing operational efficiency by 35%. AI-driven tools enabled accurate forecasting, faster workflows, and personalized digital experiences, cutting service turnaround time by nearly 50%. With the adoption of Zero Trust Architecture and continuous monitoring, cybersecurity was reimagined from the ground up. Alongside this, a comprehensive talent development program upskilled employees in analytics, automation, and cybersecurity, ensuring lasting impact. Today, the organization stands as a benchmark of digital maturity and agility in Qatar. Moreover, that is why we are hosting the 40th Edition of the Digital Transformation Summit in Qatar. Bringing together top industry leaders, digital experts, and technology pioneers, the summit will explore Qatar's digital evolution through focused discussions on AI, cloud innovation, cybersecurity, and data governance. It will highlight real-world transformation journeys like the one above, provide actionable insights, and foster strategic partnerships aimed at accelerating enterprise-wide change. Join us as we shape the future of digital innovation in Qatar. Event Overview: The 40th Edition of the Digital Transformation Summit – Qatar 2025 will convene top industry leaders, digital transformation experts, and technology pioneers to explore Qatar's digital evolution. From AI and cloud innovation to cybersecurity and data governance, the summit will spotlight real-world success stories, offer practical solutions, and foster partnerships that accelerate enterprise transformation. Date: 28th August 2025 Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Location: The Ritz-Carlton, Doha, Qatar Meet the Visionaries: Join us for thought-provoking sessions led by: Elias R. Chedid – Chief Operating Officer & Deputy CEO, Seib Insurance & Reinsurance Company LLC Asma Al-Jefairi – Vice President – IT Projects, Qatar Museums Archana Shetty – Vice President – IT Projects, QNB Group Nakul Srivastava – Head of Digital Transformation Office, Qatar Airways Nikita Gordeev – Chief Technology Officer, Snoonu Key Topics to Be Covered: Re-architecting the Future: Cloud, AI & Business Innovation Cyber Resilience in a Hyperconnected World Delivering Seamless Digital Experiences Across Industries Digital Workforce: Upskilling Talent for the New Economy Data-Driven Leadership: From Insights to Impact About Exito: Exito, which means'success' in Spanish, embodies our unwavering commitment to the success of our customers. Each year, Exito hosts over 240 virtual and in-person conferences globally, connecting C-level executives and world-class thought leaders across industries. Our meticulously crafted agendas, based on extensive research and deep industry insights, facilitate business growth, knowledge transfer, deal flow, and brand visibility—delivering unmatched value and impact for all stakeholders. For more information about the Digital Transformation Summit – Qatar 2025, please visit: For Media Enquiries, please contact: Ashrith Shetty Media and PR Executive, Exito Media Concepts Email:
