Visa, a global leader in digital payments, today announced the appointment of Luca Bianconi as Vice President and Country Manager for Qatar, based in Doha. The appointment reflects continued investment in Qatar and its commitment to strengthening local leadership to support the growth of digital commerce in the country. As Vice President and Country Manager, Luca will be responsible […]
MPE Partners with SpaceBelt KSA to Bring Global Finance to Sovereign Orbital Rails
Ahead of the launch of KSA-1, MPE will serve as the global commercial application layer for financial services delivered on SpaceBelt KSA’s sovereign low-Earth orbit constellation. RIYADH, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA — April 21, 2026: MPE Solutions Inc. (“MPE” / “Modern Pay Engine”) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with SpaceBelt KSA […]
Qatar Investment Authority Joins Plata’s $405 Million Series C, Valuing Digital Bank at $5 Billion
The round was led by Bicycle Capital and included new investors Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), BTG Pactual, Valor Capital Group, and others. Existing investors Kora, Hedosophia, Spice Expeditions, and Audeo Ventures also participated. The Series C was multiple times oversubscribed, reflecting strong institutional demand. With over $2 billion in total debt and equity raised, Plata has […]
Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) achieves QAR 986mln net profit for three months’ period ended 31 March 2026
Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), Qatar’s leading Islamic Bank, has announced the results for the three months’ period ended 31 March 2026. Net Profit attributable to the Shareholders of the Bank amounted to QAR 986 Million for the three months’ period ended 31 March 2026. Total Assets of the Bank as at 31 March 2026 stands at QAR […]
Snoonu launches Snoonu Startup Factory to support the next generation of founders and invests in Sufra
Doha, Qatar: Snoonu has launched Snoonu Startup Factory, a new initiative designed to support and empower the next generation of founders and startups in Qatar and across the region. As part of this launch, the company announced its first investment; a $100,000 pre-seed investment in Sufra AI, a Qatar-based startup reimagining the dining experience through intelligent, […]
Dh20 Billion Deal: UAE and Bahrain Central Banks sign Currency Swap Agreement to Boost Trade
The Central Bank of the UAE and the Central Bank of Bahrain have signed a Dh20 billion (BHD2 billion) currency swap agreement aimed at strengthening financial cooperation, supporting trade in local currencies and enhancing regional monetary stability. The five-year agreement was signed virtually by Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE, […]
Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Records 57% YoY Growth in Q1 2026, Licenses Over 800 New Firms
QFC rises 14 places in the Global Financial Centres Index, ranking third in the MENA region Doha – Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), a leading onshore financial and business centre, recorded a 57 per cent year-on-year growth in the first quarter of 2026, with more than 800 new firms licensed from January through March. This performance reflects sustained business momentum and […]
Snoonu and Namaa join forces to empower entrepreneurs and advance Qatar’s innovation economy
Doha, Qatar – In a strategic move to strengthen Qatar’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and accelerate innovation, Namaa Social Incubator, one of the centers under the Qatar Foundation for Social Work, and Snoonu, Qatar’s leading technology platform, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at empowering entrepreneurs and supporting the growth of emerging businesses. The partnership reflects […]
Qatar’s Fintech Ecosystem gears up with API-Driven Banking
Doha, Qatar: Financial institutions are increasingly adopting modular platforms and application programming interface (API) based systems, enabling them to introduce new services without rebuilding core infrastructure. Speaking to The Peninsula, industry experts noted that several major banks in Qatar have begun opening their platforms to external partners and fintech providers, allowing solutions such as digital payments, […]
Ooredoo Fintech Appoints Noor Al Lawati as First Woman Country Head for Oman
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Ooredoo Fintech has announced the appointment of Noor Al Lawati as its first female Country Head for Oman, reinforcing its commitment to regional growth, local leadership, and women empowerment. An accomplished Omani professional, Noor Al Lawati brings extensive market expertise and a strong vision to drive innovation and expand financial […]