Latest news with #MENAFintechSummit
Qatar Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QIC recognised at Google Cloud Summit Doha
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Insurance Groupwas recognized at the Google Cloud Summit Doha 2025 for driving innovation in the financial industry. This recognition marks a significant milestone in QIC's strategic journey to revolutionize insurance through advanced technologies and global partnerships. The summit, held at the Qatar National Convention Centre, brought together over 1,500 attendees, including Google Cloud partners, government leaders, enterprise customers, and technology innovators. The event focused on the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, data, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. QIC's recognition highlighted its bold adoption of cloud-native technologies and AI-driven solutions, as well as its role as a thought leader shaping the future of the industry. Notably, QIC organized and hosted the annual fourth edition of the MENA Insurtech Summit and the inaugural MENA Fintech Summit earlier this year in Doha. These events brought together global experts, regulators, investors and startups to accelerate innovation, regulation, and investment in digital insurance and financial services. During the Google Cloud Summit 2025, QIC Group CEO Salem Al Mannai held high-level meetings with senior Google Cloud executives, includingAnthony Cirot - Vice President, EMEA South, Ghassan Kosta - Regional General Manager, and Basel Haddadin - Regional Sales Manager. The discussions focused on ongoing digital transformation projects and expanding collaborative opportunities in areas such as AI-powered customer experience, real-time data analytics, operational automation, and next-generation cloud security. Reflecting on the recognition,Salem Al Mannai said, 'At Qatar Insurance Group, we are reimagining insurance for the digital age by embedding advanced cloud infrastructure, AI, and data intelligence into every layer of our business. Our partnership with Google Cloud is a cornerstone of this journey, enabling us to deliver secure, scalable, and customer-centric solutions. This recognition at the Google Cloud Summit affirms our strategic commitment not only to digital excellence, but to leading the transformation of the financial sector across our region.' He added, 'Initiatives like the Google Cloud Summit are necessary platforms for open collaboration where ideas, capital, and technology come together to accelerate meaningful change. We are proud to contribute to these conversations and to help shape a resilient, digital-first future for insurance and finance in the MENA region.' QIC's participation in the Google Cloud Summit reinforced its position as a regional innovation leader, committed to evolving the insurance model through bold technological investments and cross-sector collaboration. As the industry continues to face new challenges and opportunities, Qatar Insurance Group remains focused on building a smarter, more agile, and future-ready financial ecosystem, both within Qatar and beyond. 'What we are accomplishing today through digital transformation and investment in innovation reflects our deep belief in Qatar National Vision 2030, which places knowledge and technology-based economic diversification at its core. The vision encourages impactful partnerships between the public and private sectors and at Qatar Insurance Group, we are committed to being a key pillar in this comprehensive national transformation,' concludedAl Mannai.
Qatar Tribune
11-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
MENA summits in Qatar explore AI's role in insurance and Fintech
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Insurance Group inaugurated the fourth edition of the MENA Insurtech Summit alongside the inaugural MENA Fintech Summit at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). Held under the auspices of the Qatar Central Bank, led by Governor of the Qatar Central Bank His Excellency Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al-Thani, , and represented by Sheikh Ahmed bin Khalid bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al-Thani, Deputy Governor of the Qatar Central Bank, the two-day event has convened over 1,500 participants, including more than 140 speakers, 100 startups, and 45 investors, to explore the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) in the insurance and financial sectors. The opening ceremony was attended by dignitaries, ministers, and prominent public and private stakeholders. A Unified Platform for Innovation The summits, held under one roof, represent a bold step forward in QIC Group's efforts to build a unified platform that champions digital innovation in both the insurance and financial sectors. By bridging the two rapidly converging industries, the dual summits enable cross-sector collaboration, policy development, and investment in next-generation technologies such as AI, open finance, and embedded insurance. Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal Al Thani, Chairman of QIC Group, opened the summit by underscoring the strategic importance of this unified platform: 'These two summits, held under one roof, reflect our steadfast commitment to supporting Qatar's National Vision 2030 and reinforcing the country's position as a regional leader in innovation and digital transformation. More than annual gatherings, these forums serve as strategic platforms to empower entrepreneurs, encourage collaboration, and attract future-facing investments to our economy.' A Legacy of Leadership Following the opening address, a keynote panel took participants on a reflective journey through QIC's legacy as Qatar's first national insurer. The session featured an archival photograph of QIC's headquarters, one of the first four skyscrapers to rise in Doha over 60 years ago, serving as a powerful metaphor for QIC's enduring role in shaping the country's progress. 'QIC has always been at the forefront of Qatar's evolution,' said Salem Al Mannai, QIC Group CEO. 'From helping shape the skyline of Doha to driving innovation in the insurance industry, our mission has always aligned with national aspirations. It is only natural that we now lead in the digital transformation era, serving as a catalyst for economic growth, regional leadership, and global relevance.' This legacy reinforces QIC's deep-rooted commitment to innovation, not just in technology but as a driver of national prosperity and global positioning. As part of the opening day, a panel discussion featured CEOs of four leading insurance companies from across the MENA region, offering diverse industry perspectives on digital transformation, regulatory alignment, and the impact of AI on business models. Qatar's Vision for a Digital Future The summits are fully aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the country's National Fintech Strategy. With the support of strategic partners including the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Commercial Bank of Qatar, and Ooredoo Fintech, the event highlights a unified public-private commitment to building a resilient and inclusive digital economy. Chairman Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal Al Thani emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships: 'Supporting Qatar's innovation ecosystem requires more than infrastructure; it calls for long-term partnerships grounded in shared vision. The presence of our national partners reflects a collective commitment to building a resilient digital economy.' Real Results, Real Stories One of the defining features of this year's summit is the return of several startups that participated in previous editions of the MENA Insurtech Summit. Their presence and success stories offer tangible proof of the platform's value, validating QIC's investment in cultivating entrepreneurial ecosystems and accelerating innovation. 'The success of the previous editions is tangible in this year's summit,' said Salem Al Mannai. 'We are proud to see startups return, not as newcomers, but as players in the market, sharing their stories of growth and impact. This is what these summits are designed for: to empower, to scale, and to lead.' AI and the Industry: A Transformative Year The 2025 theme, 'The Impact of AI on the Insurance Value Chain,' mirrors last year's focus but delivers completely new content, underscoring how rapidly AI continues to reshape the landscape. From productivity gains to hyper-personalized insurance services, the discussions reflect both the speed and scale of change within just a single year. 'AI is transforming the insurance industry on two levels: by increasing personal productivity at the workplace and by enabling insurers to create faster, more accurate, and hyper-personalized services,' added Al Mannai. 'At QIC, we believe that those who lead this wave of innovation will shape the financial landscape of the future.' The MENA Insurtech and Fintech Summits reaffirm QIC Group's unwavering dedication to building the future of digital finance in alignment with national priorities and positioning Doha as a thriving, competitive hub for insurtech, fintech, and AI-driven innovation.
Qatar Tribune
07-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QIC Group launches twin MENA Insurtech and Fintech summits
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Insurance Group announced the launch of the 4th MENA Insurtech Summit and the inaugural MENA Fintech Summit, both of which will be held concurrently under one unified platform on May 11–12, 2025 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal Al Thani, Chairman of QIC Group, commented: 'At QIC Group, we recognize that innovation and digital transformation are vital to securing Qatar's economic future. These summits reflect our commitment to advancing national strategies by creating meaningful platforms that connect talent, technology, and investment. By hosting both insurtech and fintech ecosystems under one roof, we aim to reinforce Qatar's position as a leader in digital financial innovation for the region.' Following the Chairman's remarks, Salem Al Mannai, CEO of QIC Group, added: 'We are proud to lead this initiative as part of our commitment to national priorities and our ambition to position Qatar as a destination for innovation and capital. These summits are more than just events—they are strategic platforms designed to attract global players, empower startups, and connect decision-makers across the financial services value chain. By bringing the fintech and insurtech ecosystems together under one roof, we are unlocking powerful opportunities for dialogue, investment, and cross-sector collaboration that will serve Qatar and the region for years to come.' The co-located summits represent a significant step in QIC Group's vision to position Qatar as a regional hub for digital transformation. Aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Qatar Central Bank's National Fintech Strategy, the dual event aims to accelerate cross-sector innovation, foster a robust digital ecosystem, and drive long-term economic diversification. Over 1,500 participants are expected to attend, including global thought leaders, regulators, startup founders, venture capitalists, and C-level executives from the insurance and tech sectors. The summits will feature dedicated programming tracks for insurtech and fintech, with opportunities for convergence through joint sessions on emerging technologies and future trends. The MENA Insurtech Summit will explore the theme: 'The Impact of AI on the Insurance Value Chain,' offering deep insights into how artificial intelligence is reshaping underwriting, claims, distribution, and customer engagement. Meanwhile, the MENA Fintech Summit will convene financial innovators and disruptors to explore the future of digital finance, focusing on emerging products, AI-powered solutions, and digital transformation in banking and financial services. The event will feature keynote speeches from senior officials and global experts, along with interactive panels and hands-on workshops exploring topics such as artificial intelligence in finance and insurance, embedded insurance models, open banking frameworks and regulatory shifts, data governance and cybersecurity, and cross-border fintech innovation and startup funding. Attendees can also look forward to a curated Demo Day showcasing startups from the 2025 MENA Insurtech Accelerator, as well as immersive Innovation Zones that spotlight cutting-edge solutions from both local and international startups. Strategic partnerships further amplify the summit's national relevance. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) joins as the lead strategic partner for both summits, while Commercial Bank of Qatar and Ooredoo Fintech serve as strategic partners of the MENA Fintech Summit—highlighting a unified public-private commitment to advancing Qatar's digital future. Continuing his remarks, Al Mannai added: 'Innovation has always been at the core of QIC's business. These summits are a natural extension of that vision—bringing together government, enterprise, and entrepreneurs to build the infrastructure, talent, and trust needed for a vibrant digital economy. We see these platforms as catalysts that will strengthen Qatar's position as a regional leader in fintech and insurtech innovation.' As the founding and organizing entity, QIC Group reaffirms its role as a national enabler of innovation, ecosystem connector, and strategic contributor to the future of financial services across MENA.
