2nd Qatar Financial Market Forum Discusses Trends Shaping Emerging Markets, Sustainable Infrastructure

Doha, January 23 (QNA) - The 2nd edition of the Qatar Financial Market Forum kicked off today, discussing this year's theme of "Trends Shaping Emerging Markets and Sustainable Infrastructure and Mobility." Hosted by Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) with participation from Bloomberg Intelligence, the Forum focused on the State of Qatar's strategic initiatives in enhancing sustainable infrastructure, the significant role of policy in the shift towards electric means of transport, and ways to enhance development in Qatar, in addition to the top trends shaping emerging markets in 2024, the Middle East in a global context, and the outlook for GCC banks. Qatar Central Bank Assistant Governor for Financial Stability Sector Maha Sultan Al Sowaidi commended the Forum for being a platform that promotes knowledge exchange in the pursuit of economic growth. During the opening speech, Al Sowaidi said, " In recent decades, the merging of new and advanced technologies has brought us a host of opportunities and challenges, significantly influencing our prosperity, economic resilience, lifestyle, and work dynamics. The financial sector is well-positioned to leverage the opportunities and address the risks posed by this technological evolution. Adopting a forward-looking approach, we strive to ensure that the financial sector possesses the necessary resilience, capital, and liquidity to maximize opportunities and mitigate risks effectively." In turn, QFC Chief Executive Officer Yousuf Mohamed Al Jaida said, "We were thrilled to collaborate with Bloomberg Intelligence once again for the second edition of the Qatar Financial Market Forum. This platform is dedicated to fostering high-level knowledge exchange and meaningful discussions that allow us to gain insights into evolving economic and industry trends, identify opportunities, and address challenges that can impact and shape our future. This year's theme is particularly noteworthy given the critical importance of understanding the dynamics in emerging markets and sustainable infrastructure and mobility in developing an effective strategy and fostering economic growth." Speaking at the event, Senior Industry Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence Edmond Christou said, "The Gulf region surpasses Europe and leads among emerging markets with a construction pipeline valued at over USD 1.7 trillion for the next five years, exclusive of energy-related infrastructure. This substantial investment aims to diversify the region's oil-dependent economy, offering Qatari banks and other Gulf lenders and investors with the unique opportunity to capture a strong growth trajectory and mobilize green liquidity". Analysts from Bloomberg Intelligence and QFC then led a series of engaging presentations and in-depth panel discussions, shedding light on key areas such as green technologies and renewable energy to smart urban planning and resilient mobility solutions. Moreover, the forum's collective insights underscored the global relevance of the discussions and emphasized their specific implications for Qatar. They also highlighted the importance of ongoing collaborations and dialogues in addressing complex challenges facing emerging markets and sustainable development. Bloomberg Intelligence, the research arm of Bloomberg International, provides in-depth analyses and data on industries, companies, government sectors, credit, judicial disputes, and economic factors. (QNA)