Latest news with #QFCRA
Zawya
03-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Ashmore receives authorisation for a regulated business in Qatar
Follows strategic partnership with Qatar Investment Authority ('QIA') under the Active Asset Management Initiative, aligning with the country's National Vision 2030 and ambitions to continue economic growth trajectory Ashmore Group plc ('Ashmore' or 'the Group'), the specialist Emerging Markets asset manager that manages US$46.2 billion, announces that Ashmore Qatar has been authorised by the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority ('QFCRA'). Ashmore has a long history of investing in Qatar and has conducted business with the country for more than two decades. The Ashmore Qatar office, which will operate under the QFCRA's regulatory framework, will participate in Ashmore's investment committees, including the provision of advice and input on the management of the Ashmore Qatar Equity Fund ('AQEF'), which was launched in January 2024 with the QIA as an anchor investor. Since inception to end April 2025, AQEF has delivered a cumulative gross USD return of 18.5% and has outperformed its benchmark index by 345 basis points. Additionally, the office will support the development of relationships with local investors, providing access to Ashmore's full range of Emerging Markets investment strategies across equities, fixed income and alternatives asset classes. Ashmore currently manages approximately US$10 billion on behalf of clients based in the Middle East, which is invested in a diversified range of listed equity, fixed income and thematic private equity strategies. The establishment of an office in Qatar is line with Ashmore's strategy to develop a network of local businesses in attractive emerging economies. The new business complements Ashmore's other offices in Colombia, India, Indonesia, Peru, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which together manage US$7.5 billion of assets, representing 16% of the Group's total AuM. Mark Coombs, Chief Executive Officer, Ashmore Group plc, said: 'We are delighted to open our new office in Qatar, as a natural evolution of our long relationship. The country provides exciting growth opportunities as its domestic capital markets broaden and deepen, and its National Vision 2030 raises Qatar's profile as an important investment destination for international investors. We look forward to our Qatar operations contributing to the growth and diversification benefits to the Group provided by Ashmore's other local emerging markets businesses.' Commenting on this milestone, Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, Chief Executive Officer, QFC, stated: 'We are pleased to welcome Ashmore Group to the Qatar Financial Centre. As a globally recognised leader in emerging markets investment, Ashmore's presence in Qatar reflects the growing appeal of our financial ecosystem and the strength of our regulatory framework. At the QFC, we are committed to providing a supportive platform for leading global institutions, enabling them to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the diversification and development of Qatar's financial services sector, in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.' Media contact details for Ashmore Group: Cardew Group Ashmore@ +44 207 766 1212 Henry Crane +44 7918 207157 Luke Bramwell +44 7467 992924 Media contact details for QFC: QFC Corporate Communications Rasha Kamaleddine +974 5504 9647
Qatar Tribune
03-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar University, QFCRA ink knowledge, expertise exchange pact
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar University (QU) has signed an agreement with the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) to strengthen cooperation in the exchange of expertise and knowledge in linguistic, cultural, and translation fields within the finance and economy sector. The agreement was signed by Prof. Ibrahim Al-Kaabi, vice president for Academic Affairs at QU, and Fatma Abdulrahman Al Meer, chief financial officer and chief operating officer at QFCRA, in the presence of several officials from both parties. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation between the two parties in developing the language and translation skills of students from the Department of English Literature and Linguistics, in alignment with the requirements in the finance and economy sector. It also aims to establish joint research projects that study linguistic, cultural, and translation challenges in the finance and economy sector through the development of innovative solutions to these challenges. Additionally, it seeks to encourage the exchange of knowledge and expertise between academics and professionals in the field of finance and economy, benefitting both parties, and to provide internship opportunities for students from the Department of English Literature and Linguistics. Prof. Ibrahim Al-Kaabi, vice president for Academic Affairs at QU, stated that this cooperation represents an important step towards aligning university education outcomes with labour market needs and opening new horizons between both parties. It also contributes to developing students' capabilities in applied fields that enhance their skills and broaden their professional prospects. He further emphasized that this agreement comes within QU's commitment to providing an educational environment that keeps pace with economic developments and offers its students opportunities to deepen their knowledge, thereby strengthening their ability to actively participate in national projects that contribute to achieving Qatar National Vision. On her part, Fatma Abdulrahman Al Meer, chief financial officer and chief operating officer at QFCRA, said, 'It is an honour to announce our partnership with Qatar University through this agreement. As part of its role under the Third Financial Sector Strategic Plan, the QFCRA's commitment to promoting financial literacy in Qatar is underscored by our continuous collaboration with our partners in academia. This agreement marks a significant step towards strengthening our educational and professional landscapes as we work towards achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030.'
Associated Press
06-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Stobox Joins Qatar Financial Center Digital Assets Lab
Stobox, one of the leading global tokenization platforms, became a member of Qatar Financial Center Lab – the most prestigious and recognized Digital Asset Association in the MENA region. The goal of this partnership is to boost tokenization in the country. Qatar is a country where tokens can legally proclaim property rights on real-world assets, which is very promising in terms of tokenization and global economic development. As Stobox works across the world, it will transmit Qatar's success and experience in tokenization to other countries. Qatar and Stobox already have an impressive success story behind tokenizing the largest shrimp farm in the world. Now, they pursue the tokenization of various types of assets within the eyesight. It will secure a significant financial outcome for the Qatar economy, accelerating its GDP growth. Qatar pursues the ambition to lead the tokenization across the MENA region. There are a number of reasons behind MENA's future success in tokenization. The success of tokenization is closely tied to the expansion of its underlying assets, and MENA's economy is thriving across multiple sectors ripe for tokenization. Real estate, aquaculture, food production, energy, and renewables are all experiencing impressive growth. Tokenization can provide these industries with more liquidity, fractional ownership, and increased global investor participation, further accelerating their expansion. ' We identify three major pillars driving Real-World Asset tokenization growth in Qatar. First, the country offers a diverse array of valuable assets and business opportunities. Second, there is a well-developed investment and financial ecosystem with substantial capital available for tokenization. Third, regulatory authorities are actively supporting tokenization initiatives, creating a favorable environment for long-term growth. We value Qatar's Financial Center stance on tokenization and aim to make the country a bedrock for all the future success of tokenization across the world.' – said Ross Shemeliak, COO and Co-Founder of Stobox. About Stobox Stobox is a licensed and regulated tokenization provider building financial markets for small and medium businesses. Stobox provides an all-in-one solution for tokenizing, investing, and trading RWA and operates in multiple jurisdictions, including the United States. Since its inception in 2018, the company has tokenized over $500M in assets across finance, mining, energy, and real estate. For more information, please visit About Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) The Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) is an independent regulatory body established in 2005 by Article 8 of the QFC Law. It regulates firms that conduct financial services in or from the QFC. It has a broad range of regulatory powers to authorise, supervise and, when necessary, discipline firms and individuals. The QFC Regulatory Authority regulates firms using principle-based legislation of international standard, modelled closely on that used in major financial centres. Further details are available at the Name: Yury Molodtsov Email: Send Email Organization: Stobox Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only. Information verification has been done to the best of our ability. Still, due to the speculative nature of the blockchain (cryptocurrency, NFT, mining, etc.) sector as a whole, complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. You are advised to conduct your own research and exercise caution. Investments in these fields are inherently risky and should be approached with due diligence. Release ID: 89154167 In case of identifying any errors, concerns, or inconsistencies within the content shared in this press release that necessitate action or if you require assistance with a press release takedown, we strongly urge you to notify us promptly by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our expert team is committed to addressing your concerns within 8 hours by taking necessary actions diligently to rectify any identified issues or supporting you with the removal process. Delivering accurate and reliable information remains our top priority.
Wamda
05-02-2025
- Business
- Wamda
QIA's $1 billion fund of funds kicks off with Investment in Rasmal Ventures
Qatar-based VC firm Rasmal Ventures LLC has secured funding from Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) as part of its Fund of Funds programme. The investment will fund Rasmal Venture's inaugural homegrown VC fund, Rasmal Innovation Fund I LLC, which targets high-performance startups and scales up across sectors, including fintech, B2B SaaS, healthtech and AI. Rasmal Innovation Fund I is the first fund to join the $1 billion VC programme from QIA, with a target close of $100 million. In June 2024, Rasmal launched its inaugural fund, raising $30 million from institutional investors and family offices, with the aim of reaching $100 million in investment commitments. Press release: Rasmal Ventures LLC, Qatar's first independent venture capital (VC) company, which was established in 2023, has today announced funding from QIA as part of its Fund of Funds programme. The funding is received into Rasmal Venture's inaugural, home-grown venture capital fund, Rasmal Innovation Fund I LLC, which targets high-performance startups and scales up across a variety of innovative technology sectors, including fintech, B2B SaaS, HealthTech and AI. Rasmal Innovation Fund I LLC is the first fund announcement as part of QIA's $1 billion Fund of Funds program announced as open to applicants in February 2024. To date, the Rasmal Innovation Fund I LLC has closed funding from QIA's Fund of Funds, corporates, family offices and individual high-net-worth investors with an aim to reach $100 million in investment commitments. The fund is only open to professional investors as defined in QFCRA regulation. Alexander Wiedmer, Co-Managing Partner of Rasmal Ventures, said, 'As the first private VC fund based in Doha, we have forged strong partnerships with leading Qatari institutions to work closely with exceptional founders, stimulate innovation, and meet the region's unique needs. While still in the early stages of capital deployment, we take pride in our first investments in proprietary tech startups. The trust QIA and our other investors placed in us is a testament to our team's capabilities and dedication. We will continue to grow our presence across the region and execute our highly selective investment strategy to establish ourselves as a key player in the MENA VC landscape." The Rasmal Innovation Fund I LLC is managed by a highly experienced team of VC experts that have collectively managed more than 100 VC deals, along with impressive exits.
