Author: qfbadmin

QFIB has partnered with Gulf Financial Conferences as the gold sponsor for two key conferences “Finance & Investment Qatar’ and ‘M&A, Corporate Finance & Advisory MENA’

Qatar First Investment Bank (QFIB), Qatar’s first independent Shari’ah compliant bank authorized by the QFC regulatory authority, has partnered with Gulf Financial Conferences as the gold sponsor for two key conferences “Finance & Investment Qatar’ and ‘M&A, Corporate Finance & Advisory MENA’, both will be held on 21st and 22nd January respectively, at the Al Sharq Village and Spa.

The Finance & Investment Qatar conference will see Ihab Asali, Head of Private Equity at QFIB joining two sessions.  The first session entitled “Investment opportunities within Qatar from a global perspective” will examine how Qatar is perceived by foreign investors and the investment opportunities available.  The session will highlight the required measures to upgrade Qatar to Emerging Market status.

In the second session, Ihab will join other leading financial experts to highlight the challenges Qatar’s private sector and non-government companies face to raise capital.  The session will explore sources of financing available to family and private sector companies including sukuk as an option, the ability of banks to meets demands of private sector clients as well as the assessment for growth of private sector business.

Concurrently, Shadi Zubeidi, Managing Director, Head of Corporate Finance, QFIB will spearhead a panel at the ‘M&A, Corporate Finance & Advisory MENA’ conference that will  cross check mid-market deals that continue to drive intra-regional and inter-regional M&A activity.  The panelists will also discuss deal-flow and structuring, financing options for family businesses and private equity-driven M&As, investment opportunities including those in the Levant and North Africa as well as explore the associated risks for Gulf investors.

QFIB is an active participant in such leading platforms that actively encourage dialogue and help to build constructive discussions on the opportunities and challenges facing the financial sector both in Qatar and globally.

QFIB and SPPC announced the successful completion of the Emirates National Factory of Plastic Industries (ENPI Group) deal

Qatar First Investment Bank (QFIB),Qatar’s first independent Shari’ah compliant investment bank authorized by the QFC Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) and Saudi Printing & Packaging Co. (SPPC) announced the successful completion of the Emirates National Factory of Plastic Industries (ENPI Group) deal. QFIB’s 71.3% stake, a majority share in ENPI, was sold to SPPC, a publically traded Saudi firm specialized in providing printing packaging solutions. ENPI Group is the leading producer of flexible and rigid plastic packaging solutions having strong manufacturing base including 8 factories in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh.

The acquisition was announced at a closing ceremony held at Saudi Research & Marketing Group’s headquarters in Riyadh. The ceremony was attended by HRH Prince Fasial bin Salaman bin Abdulaziz and a number of high ranking officials from KSA, Qatar and UAE.

QFIB acquired a 71.3% stake in ENPI Group in July 2009 and since then has played an instrumental role in cementing ENPI’s position as a leading player in the plastic packaging solutions industry by streamlining the business, institutionalizing operations and expanding ENPI’s manufacturing base to include Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia.

QFIB chairman, Abdulla Bin Fahad Al Marri commented “QFIB’ business strategy focuses on investing in companies that demonstrate positive growth potential.  ENPI had such capabilities.  During our holding period, ENPI managed to successfully grow and expand where its revenue has more than doubled since our acquisition.  We are pleased with the successful exit of ENPI which has generated for the Bank an IRR of 31%.

Emad Mansour, CEO of QFIB commented: “ENPI represents the typical size and sector that we target in our investment strategy.  From the outset we worked closely with ENPI’s management team to effectively implement strategic growth plans and streamline the company’s operations. Our successful exit of ENPI is a testament to our ability to grow our portfolio companies, in-spite of difficult market conditions, while generating sound returns for our investors. We would like to thank Nizar Rajoub, ENPI’s Founder and CEO, for his unwavering commitment to growing the business and establishing ENPI as a regional player in the plastic conversion manufacturing sector.”

Nizar Rajoub, Founder and CEO of ENPI commented “We thank QFIB for their valuable expertise and insight during this important phase of ENPI group’s business cycle. QFIB shared our vision and strongly believed in the company’s growth potential.  QFIB played a critical role in helping ENPI build the foundations for the next phase of our growth. We are looking forward to working with SPPC to further cement the position of ENPI Group as a leading provider of plastic packaging solutions.

QFIB is the associate sponsor of the inaugural Euromoney Qatar Conference, that will be held in Doha

Qatar First Investment Bank (QFIB), Qatar’s first independent Shari’ah compliant investment bank authorized by the QFC Regulatory Authority, is the associate sponsor of  the inaugural Euromoney Qatar Conference, that will be held in Doha at the Ritz-Carlton on 11-12 December 2012 under the theme ‘Global Finance: Re-Designed’.

In partnership with the Central Bank of Qatar, Euromoney will host the conference under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, State of Qatar.

QFIB Chief Executive Officer, Emad Mansour will join other panelists from leading Qatari institutions in a session titled ‘The Role of Finance in Qatar’s Vision 2030’.  The panel will highlight the role of the financial sector, and will examine Qatar competitive advantage, the importance of education and training in the successful realization of Qatar National Vision 2030.

Emad Mansour commented, “QFIB is proud to join other leading financial institutions in sponsoring the Euromoney conference.  We are great supporters of   such platforms that actively encourage dialogue on the future of finance both in Qatar and globally. Qatar has taken major strides in cushioning its economy against economic imbalances and in dealing with potential future issues relating to the global financial crisis.  Strict regulatory measures, liquidity provisions, enforcing transparency and corporate governance as well as constant monitoring and supervision of the financial sector are examples of preventive measures undertaken by the government to help Qatar achieve its National 2030 vision.”

The first of a series of events in the pipeline that encourage a healthy debate on the evolution of regional and global finance, Euromoney has collaborated with several Qatari government and private institutions to bring the conference to Doha. At the conference global experts will discuss themes including the global financial crisis, capital-export, Islamic finance and rating agencies.

QFIB sponsors the ‘Educational Futures: Innovation & Aspirations’ conference organized by the Alliance for International Education

As part of its commitment to support the development of the educational sector in Qatar, Qatar First Investment Bank (QFIB), Qatar’s independent Islamic investment bank authorized by the QFC Regulatory Authority, sponsors the ‘Educational Futures: Innovation & Aspirations’ conference organized by the Alliance for International Education and hosted by the International School of London in Qatar.

The Alliance for International Education (AIE) was established in 2001 with the mission of advancing education through international and intercultural practices.  Since its establishment AIE has organized 5 biennial world conferences in Geneva, Dusseldorf, Shangai, Istanbul, and Melbourne.  Qatar is the first country in the Arab world to host this conference.

Taking place during the period of 20 -22 October, 2012 the Educational Futures Conference will highlight the latest developments on international education. The conference will bring together around 300 global and local education specialists, who will present initiatives underlining the future of learning. Leading educational institutions in Qatar such as Qatar Foundation, Qatar University, and Supreme Council of Education will be among the participants.

Through its partnership with Injaz, QFIB extended an invitation to educational advisors at local independent schools who support Injaz programs in Qatar.

Emad Mansour, CEO of QFIB, commented, “We are pleased to partner with Injaz in supporting this important conference.  There is no doubt that this is an innovative way to promote intercultural understanding and advance Qatar’s education sector a key pillar of the 2030 National Vision. The conference will provide the right platform for the academic community in Qatar to network and share insights on the latest practices in the educational arena.

QFIB has been a board-member of INJAZ Qatar since 2010 and has played a key role in supporting initiatives that promote and encourage education.

Aysha Al Mudehki, Executive Director, INJAZ Qatar said, “We thank QFIB for offering this opportunity to the academic community in Qatar. Involving the private sector is  essential  to help shape the future generations workforce. Such initiatives will definitely enhance the learning practices at schools. Maintaining a global outlook on key educational concepts, skills and values is important for the development of the educational sector in Qatar.”

Amin Makarem, Managing Director of International School of London added, “Hosting this conference is indeed a proud achievement for us. Our vision is to involve as many local educational institutions as possible to avail the opportunities at the conference.  We thank QFIB for their support and their keen interest in advancing the educational sector in Qatar”.

QFIB’s corporate social responsibility program focuses on education. This includes supporting INJAZ Qatar programs in local independent schools and offering corporate internships for high-school and university students.