Qatar Stock Exchange to launch new incentives for local and global investors

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) is all set to launch new investment incentives for national and international investors after a series of steps were taken this year to develop its systems.

These steps have contributed to the increase in demand of local and international entities to invest in the world’s largest emerging market listed in the global indices in the region, and the second largest exchange in the Middle East in terms of capital, reported Gulf Times.

The latest steps that have been taken in this regard is Qatar Exchange’s launch of two investment funds for the first time in its history, at a time it plans to launch a market for trading shares of small and medium enterprises during the second half of this year.

On March 4, the QSE announced details of exchange traded funds (ETFs), a group of securities in an investment fund.

Rashid Ali Al Mansoori, CEO of QSE, said it is currently seeking to launch more ETFs as it is one of the most popular products among investors both domestically and abroad, according to The Peninsula.

Qatar, he said, is one of the most qualified regions to achieve high growth rates in the ETF sector, considering that the nature of these funds suits the thinking of investors in the region. The QSE, in its quest to establish a market for emerging small and medium-sized companies, is working to create an incubator to achieve sustainability and growth of family businesses.

He stressed the readiness of the stock exchange to provide all the capabilities available to family businesses.

Al Mansoori pointed out that the launch of the first ETF in the Qatar Exchange was aimed at following up the investment results of the prices of Qatar Exchange index by investing in the basic components based on individual weights in the index, which benefit the investor.

He added that the other index listed on QSE, Al Rayan Qatar ETF, aims to track the investment results of QSE Al Rayan Islamic price index, according to Qatar Tribune.

The QSE has already supported the plans of companies that want to be listed; two companies are expected to be listed on the QSE before the end of this year.

Earlier this year, Baladna, a dairy company, announced that it would be offering its shares for public this year as its activities expand.

Qatar Petroleum also announced last May that it will be offering 49% of its shares in Qatalum for public offering.