QIIB looks to learn from Singapore

Qatar International Islamic Bank (QIIB) QIIB is looking to play the mediator between private enterprises in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, and believes it has much to learn from the Lion City.

“Qatar is going through a development phase, and we can benefit a lot from the experience of Singapore,” Edward Tat Seng Wong told Islamic Business & Finance at the 3rd World Islamic Banking Conference Asia. “The conference today is about building bridges. In this regard, QIIB can build a bridge between the two countries – not just for private enterprises but also on a Government level.

“We are gaining an understanding for what private enterprises here may be looking for – what skills they have that they could bring across, or where we could put them in touch with the right expertise in Qatar.”

Wong said that Qatar and Singapore share similar traits that would allow them to learn from each other. “For example, water scarcity in Qatar is the same as Singapore; Singapore has great experience in water desalination and water management, so these things you can exchange. If you open a window in Singapore you open a window to the world.”