Dear Colleagues,

February has been another productive month for the QFC with regard to advancing our agenda in facilitating Qatar's economic diversification, empowering youth and helping create a sustainable future.

We participated in this year's US- Qatar Strategic Dialogue, a platform that addresses various international issues impacting economic growth, such as regional stability, climate change and economic cooperation. On the sidelines of the event, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the American Chamber of Commerce Qatar (AmCham Qatar) to enhance bilateral trade and investment relations between the US and Qatar.

Potential activities emerging from this agreement will help promote the QFC as an ideal financial and business platform for American companies interested in doing business in Qatar and help advance our common goal of enhancing trade and investment relations between the two countries.

As a part of our annual agenda, we joined industry leaders at the 7th CEOs & Islamic Financial Leaders Roundtable, which discussed the development of Islamic Sukuk Hub, Qatar's Fintech Strategy and Bank Climate Action.

The fulfilment of these national programmes will catapult Qatar as a global leader in sustainable financial services, a position that we have long envisioned for the country. Our participation affirmed our commitment to this growth direction and allowed us to share our insight on the outlook of Islamic finance while opening opportunities to network with key stakeholders in the industry.

In line with our commitment to empower youth and help shape future leaders, we hosted a discussion session in collaboration with Qatar National Library under its Read to Lead initiative. During the session, team leaders from the QFC shared with the participants, coming from various fields, their hands-on experiences and insights on leadership.

Perhaps the most momentous activity we had in February was the signing of a lease agreement with Qatari Diar, signalling our move to Lusail, a burgeoning destination for local and foreign businesses. Our relocation to this smart city places us in a strategic location with state-of-the-art infrastructure and amid thriving businesses, expanding our field for networking and creating opportunities for collaboration.

With our consistent efforts and proven dedication to our core objectives, I expect our momentum to continue throughout the year.

Sincerely