Doha, 16 January 2008 - On the occasion of commencement of the construction of Al-Difaf Project in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, which will be attended by H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Heir Apparent and Mr. Ali Othman Taha, the Vice President of Sudan, the ceremony of laying the cornerstone of Qatar National Bank’s Tower will be held in line with the project on January 16th, 2008, as Qatar National Bank has obtained a preliminary authorization to carry out banking operations in Sudan.