Additionally, Qatar is hosting the 2006 Asian Games and has embarked upon developing the country as a leading destination for tourists and sporting events. To this end, the infrastructure sector is witnessing unprecedented growth. As a natural ripple effect, the banking sector (made up of 14 banks) is expecting a high growth trend over the next few years, as the strong economy and job prospects continue to attract an influx of all segments of people, from semi-skilled to high-end professionals. Eighty per cent of the 0.8 million population of Qatar are expatriates.
It comes as no surprise then that the expatriate segment is of high interest to Qatar’s Doha Bank. “We need to have our product and services matching the expectations of all segments – the expats as well as the Qatari nationals,” says Salah Jaidah, Doha’s general manager.
