Doha, 12 October 2010 - In conjunction with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank annual meetings, Qatari Banks hosted a reception at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington D.C. on 8 October 2010.
H.E. Yousef Hussain Kamal, Minister of Economy and Finance and H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Saud Al Thani, Governor of Qatar’s Central Bank headed the Qatari delegation at the reception.
The participants included Qatar’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, Qatar Central Bank, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), ahlibank, alkhaliji, Barwa Bank, Commercialbank, Doha Bank, International Bank of Qatar, Qatar International Islamic Bank, Qatar Islamic Bank and QNB.
The Qatari Banks' Reception welcomed prominent bankers and key global policymakers, with attendees including chairpersons and members of the boards and management of GCC, Middle East and international banks, as well as senior officials representing regulatory authorities from various countries of the world. The Reception also hosted guests representing governments, financial institutions, diplomatic missions to Washington DC, blue-chip industry and commerce from the region and globally, as well as Arab-American business executives.
The Qatari Banks' Reception is held each year to provide an opportunity for multilateral economic discussions and exchange of ideas between officials representing the Qatari, GCC and International banks and policymakers that attend the function.
The ceremony, which was hosted with the support of the Qatari Embassy in the American capital, exemplified traditional Arabic hospitality, with the guests being presented mementos representing Qatar’s heritage and culture at the end of the reception.
The Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and IMF hold their Annual Meetings to discuss a range of issues including poverty reduction, international economic development and finance. These annual meetings provide a forum for international cooperation and enable the World Bank and IMF to better serve their member countries.