QNB, QBWA sign MoU for better business cooperation

26/01/2015 08:42 AST

DOHA: QNB and the Qatari Businesswomen Association (QBWA) signed yesterday a Memorandum of Understanding. The MoU will focus on building successful business relationships to establish fruitful cooperation between the two organisations and intensifying efforts to enhance women’s contribution to economic activity with an emphasis on SMEs.

Under the new agreement, QNB will host two annual workshops to provide financial assistance to all QBWA members by introducing them to the bank’s comprehensive range of products and services dedicated to the SME sector and working closely to anticipate challenges and identify opportunities.

Moreover, the bank will refer the QBWA members to its various partners for help and support. Government affiliated partners include: Qatar Development Bank (QDB), Bedaya, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), the Ministry of Energy and Industry, and the Chamber of Commerce (QCC). In the private sector, partnerships involve the Qatar Building Company (QBC), Mannai Trading, Qatar Insurance Company (QIC), and Qatar Life and Medical Insurance Company (QLM). QNB will also devote female relationship specialists with years of proven investment experience to ensure full assistance and smooth collaboration with QBWA members.

Hamad Al Jamali, QNB’s Acting AGM for SMEs, said: “We continue to support SMEs — the driving force of tomorrow’s economy — and investing in and supporting the Qatari people to help them achieve their business goals and aims. I hope that this MoU will result in building sustainable relationships with the Qatari Businesswomen Association members and help generate more business and collaboration opportunities.”

Aisha Alfardan, QBWA Vice Chairwoman, said: “QBWA is keen to conclude a number of non-exclusive agreements with different institutions, including local banks. These agreements will strengthen the relations, which will, undoubtedly, lead to providing comprehensive services to QBWA members and generate new opportunities for businesswomen in Qatar. We thank QNB for their initiative, and we look forward to a successful collaboration.” To cater for all SME enquiries and requirements, QNB has set up dedicated business and corporate branches in Ain Khaled, Wakra, Al Khor, Industrial City, Mesaieed Industrial City, and the QNB Head Office.

The Peninsula