Since its inception in 1964, Qatar National Bank has evolved from a pioneering financial institution into a global powerhouse, with a presence in more than 30 countries.
From its early beginnings as a modest yet forward-thinking bank in Qatar to its current role as a leading international player in the financial sector, QNB has established itself as a cornerstone of the global banking industry. Its journey encompasses innovation, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to its customers and communities.
Bridges: As the country’s first Qatari-owned commercial bank, how proud are you of QNB’s achievements?
Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa: As Qatar’s first locally owned commercial bank, we take immense pride in QNB’s journey and achievements over the past six decades. What began as a national financial institution has grown into a leading bank in the Middle East and Africa.
We are proud of our strong relationships, international footprint, top-tier ratings from international rating agencies and our brand. Today, QNB Group has a strong international network with 31,000 employees in more than 28 countries across three continents.
Our strong and stable ratings from the leading agencies, including Standard & Poor’s (A+), Moody’s (Aa3) and Fitch (A+) recognize us as the highest-rated bank in Qatar and one of the most highly rated banking institutions in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.
Finally, QNB is also the Middle East and Africa’s most valuable banking brand for the 12th consecutive year, with a brand value of over $9 billion (¥1.41 trillion).
What insights can you share with our readers regarding QNB’s strategy for 2026 and beyond?
This year, we renewed our groupwide strategy for the next five years. For 2026 and beyond, our vision is to maintain our leading position as one of the largest banks in the MENA region.
“QNB’s network, rating, brand and relationships make us a strong, reliable and trusted partner for the banking needs of our clients between its home region and Japan.”
Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Group Chief Executive Officer of Qatar National Bank
The main objective of our strategy is to diversify our business and increase contributions from the international network to capture a larger share of cross-border trade and investment flows. We aim to leverage our presence in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe by connecting some of the most dynamic markets globally. To do this, we want to strengthen our transaction banking capabilities in markets where we have a strong presence, integrate and harmonize our products, and invest in technology and people to better serve our regional and multinational clients.
Besides this, we also aim to leverage innovation as a strategic enabler. We are actively incorporating new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing and big data, to transform our business. We are proud to have the largest digital bank in Turkey and are using this experience to launch similar concepts in other markets.
Finally, we also recognize the importance of ESG (environmental, social and governance) issues, which we have embedded across our business and operating model. Our best practice sustainability strategy and framework make us a regional ESG leader. This year, we developed a group-wide climate change strategy and have committed to achieve net zero by 2050. This reflects the strategic importance of addressing climate change and aligning with global sustainability goals.
With several business, community and sporting events taking place in Qatar this year, how would you best describe Qatar’s role on the global stage?
In 2026, Qatar will once again position itself as a place for ideas, culture and elite sport, hosting a rich calendar of world-class events. Among these are Web Summit Qatar and Art Basel Qatar, the Qatar Economic Forum, some prime ATP Tour tennis tournaments, the Formula 1 and MotoGP Grand Prix races and the Doha Forum.
These events will elevate Qatar’s global profile across the various industries and sectors and help catalyze cross-border partnerships, investment flows and long-term economic opportunities that benefit both the region and the wider international community.
Qatar continues to reinforce its position as a dynamic and influential global hub for economic, cultural and sporting events.
Its world-class infrastructure, forward-looking economic policies and strong international partnerships have established the country as a destination where global business, innovation and collaboration thrive.
QNB has an extensive international network. How important to the group’s growth are the Asian markets in which QNB is active?
The Asian markets are a critical component of our strategy. Economic growth in the Asian economies has exceeded global growth in the past three decades, driven by trade opportunities, direct investments and large infrastructure spending.
“As Qatar’s first locally owned commercial bank, we take immense pride in QNB’s journey and achievements over the past six decades. What began as a national financial institution has grown into a leading bank in the Middle East and Africa.”
At the same time, we see Asian companies expanding into the Middle East through joint ventures and partnerships in sectors such as oil and gas, renewable energy, telecommunications, automotive, technology, logistics and infrastructure. Both regions have established comprehensive economic partnerships that are boosting trade, investment and growth.
QNB has a strong presence in Asia with operations in Singapore, India, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam and Indonesia. Through this network, we are enabling cross-border trade, investment and financing activities across Asia, the Middle East and Africa to help our customers fulfill their international ambitions.
Qatar and Japan remain strong partners. How is QNB continuing to contribute to this relationship?
Japan and Qatar share a long-lasting and robust economic relationship. Japan was the country’s first major buyer of liquefied natural gas when Qatar began its rise as a global LNG leader. Since then, Japan has remained one of Qatar’s top export and import destinations.
Today, this partnership has grown far beyond energy, deepening cooperation across a broad range of fields, including research and development, science and education, agriculture, tourism and cultural exchanges.
QNB’s network, rating, brand and relationships make us a strong, reliable and trusted partner for the banking needs of our clients between its home region and Japan. Our extensive market knowledge and experience allow us to offer sophisticated solutions. We have also established strong and growing relationships with leading Japanese banks across all our activities.
This facilitates the financing opportunities for trade, infrastructure and investment flows on a bilateral basis. We look forward to seeing those ties evolve and prosper in a mutually beneficial way for our customers, partners and both countries.
