QCB partners with Euroclear to widen global access to Qatar’s government bonds and sukuk

The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) announced today that it has collaborated with Euroclear to create a new link to international settlement, which will make Qatari government bonds and sukuk settleable through Euroclear, opening up the local debt market to a wider base of global investors, where foreign investors will benefit from secure and simplified market access through Euroclear's reliable infrastructure, while exporters will gain access to a wider and more diversified base of capital sources.

The Qatar Central Bank expects this initiative to contribute to enhancing liquidity, improving market efficiency, and deepening international capital flows to Qatar.

According to the Qatar Central Bank, this strategic initiative comes in line with Qatar's Third Financial Sector Strategy and the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030, which aim to build a more innovative, efficient and interconnected capital market at the global level, based on modern market infrastructure and strong investor protection frameworks. The move is also part of Qatar's efforts to enhance the competitiveness of its financial markets, develop its infrastructure, and support its integration into the global financial markets ecosystem.

The Qatar Central Bank explained that this link will enable investors around the world to access and settle Qatari conventional government bonds and Qatari sukuk denominated in Qatari riyals through Euroclear Bank, Euroclear Bank, the international central depository of securities, significantly enhancing access to Qatar's local capital market.

Euroclear Bank will act as the issuer's central securities depositor, while Qatar Central Securities Depository will act as Euroclear Investor CSD, while Qatar Central Bank will act as issuer and payment agent.

H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Khalid bin Ahmed Al Thani, Deputy Governor of Qatar Central Bank, said: "The continuous development of Qatar's government securities market reflects our commitment to fostering a deeper, more efficient and more resilient capital market. By developing the infrastructure and mechanisms to support the issuance and trading of government bonds and sukuk, we are working to provide greater opportunities for investors, encourage wider participation, and strengthen the foundations for sustainable growth in the financial markets. These efforts will further cement Qatar's position as an attractive investment destination linked to international markets, as the collaboration with Euroclear represents a practical step towards expanding international access to Qatari government debt instruments and enhancing the Qatari market's presence with global investors."

Valerie Urban, CEO of Euroclear, said: "By making eligible Qatari government bonds and sukuk negotiable through Euroclear, we are helping to facilitate market access, enhance liquidity, and increase Qatar's attractiveness to global investors. Euroclear has long been committed to supporting the development of markets by providing a reliable financial infrastructure. We are delighted to be working alongside our partners in Qatar to provide stronger access to global markets and support the country's long-term ambitions in the development of capital markets."

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