Qatar's economy has continued to perform well during an economic blockade, and its banks have followed suit.

Economically blockaded by many of its neighbours, Qatar has continued to enjoy stable economic growth thanks to a series of reforms and a renewed spirit of self-reliance. 

The governor of Qatar’s central bank talks to The Banker about how two years of economic blockade has affected the country’s economy.

Abdulla Bin Saoud Al-Thani, governor of the Qatar Central Bank, talks to Kit Gillet about enduring the economic blockade and the country’s growing Islamic finance industry.

Blockaded by several influential Arab countries since June 2017, Qatari banks have had to cope with ratings downgrades and an outflow of deposits. However, as Kit Gillet reports, they are still posting impressive profits and seem unfazed by such geopolitical unrest.

A year since four of its neighbours severed economic ties with Qatar, the country has unexpectedly found that the new economic circumstances have resulted in an accelerated programme of reforms. Kit Gillet reports.

Joseph Abraham joined Qatar’s Commercial Bank as group CEO in 2016, after eight years as CEO of ANZ Indonesia, arriving at a time of low oil prices and regional tension. He tells Kit Gillet about efforts to refocus the bank, as well as finding opportunities in adversity.

Low oil prices have dented Qatar's economic success story of late but its banks are thriving. Some are looking to domestic consolidation for the next phase of  growth, others to foreign acquisitions, while a deal that will create the region’s biggest Islamic bank is in the pipeline. Kit Gillet reports. 

Qatar’s economy is already feeling the benefits from being crowned host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Can the country’s non-hydrocarbon growth assist in maintaining the upward trajectory? Kit Gillet reports.

Qatar Central Bank governor Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al-Thani believes good management has afforded the country's banking sector some protection in a challenging economic environment. Kit Gillet reports.