The Euromoney Qatar 2013 Conference, the key meeting of the world's leading players and thinkers in finance, will be held under the patronage of H.E. Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Prime Minister, State of Qatar, who will open the event with a major address on the economic vision of the region's most dynamic economy. Co-hosted by Qatar Central Bank, Euromoney Qatar Conference 2013 will take place at a crucial stage in the on-going success story of Qatar, as the country embarks on a new wave of regulatory changes and enhancements to manage the evolution of its financial sector and support its plans for economic development. The confirmation of H.E. Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani as the patron reinforces the event's positioning of the primary meeting point for bringing together leaders of international finance with key decision-makers from Qatar. Richard Banks, Regional Director, Euromoney Conferences, said: "We are privileged and proud to have the Prime Minister, H.E. Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, as the patron for this year's event. His presence – in one of his first major addresses to an international financial audience – will provide essential insights into the future plans and direction of Qatar's ambitious plans for growth." Overhauling the national regulatory framework will play a major role in defining the future direction of the economy, and also support the government's plans for diversification. Qatar's real GDP expanded at a robust six percent pace (year-on-year) in Q3 2013, according to QNB Group – with double-digit growth in construction, transport, communication, financial, real estate, and business services – and the country is working hard to ensure this growth is fully sustainable. Qatar is executing its master-plan to harmonise the existing national regulatory authorities - Qatar Central Bank, the Qatar Financial Centre regulator, and Qatar Financial Markets Authority – and Euromoney Qatar Conference 2013 will be an important opportunity for international organisations to understand how the planned changes will impact them. Financial authorities are also creating a new framework for the regulation of Islamic Banking, under the Central Bank Law, Law No. 13 of 2012. The CBL clarifies the activities that can be undertaken by Islamic Financial Institution and defines the crucial role of a Sharia'a Supervisory Authority within each organisation. Both these subjects will be the topic of intense, informed debate at the Conference. Other major Qatari financiers and policy-makers speaking at the event include H.E. Ali Shareef Al-Emadi, Minister of Finance, State of Qatar, H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Saud Al-Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank, and Khaled Al-Aboodi, Chief Executive Officer, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), reflecting the strong institutional interest in the aims of Euromoney Qatar 2013.
