The Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar) and UBS celebrated the successful conclusion of Finance Summit 2024, a two-day joint event held in Doha.  

The summit brought together esteemed institutional investors, family offices, sovereign wealth funds and major entrepreneurs from both regional and international business communities. The event’s thought-provoking agenda engaged participants in insightful discussions on the Middle East’s role in the digital and green economy.  It also explored the investment opportunities emerging from Qatar’s growth as a financial hub. Additionally, the panel sessions delved into critical topics, such as the role of the Middle East in the global economy, sustainable and innovative technologies and investment strategies in volatile markets. 

Key highlight of the summit included a fireside chat with His Excellency Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Minister of Finance of the State of Qatar. The discussion focused on the pivotal role of the Middle East in the global economy and offered valuable insights into the future of finance within the region. 

The Invest Qatar-UBS joint summit featured high-profile speakers, including His Excellency Mansoor Ebrahim Al Mahmoud, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Investment Authority. It also witnessed the participation of Paul Polman, Business leader, campaigner, former CEO of Unilever and co-author of "Net Positive”; Barbara Jean Comstock, Senior Advisor at Baker Donelson, ABC News Contributor and former Congresswoman; and Ashley Etienne, CBS News Political Contributor, Former Senior Advisor to Presidents Obama and Biden, Vice President Harris and Speaker Pelosi. 

This co-hosted event represents a significant milestone in the long-term collaboration between Invest Qatar and UBS, a partnership formalised through the signing of an agreement in 2020. The event further solidifies their joint efforts to strengthen Qatar’s position as a leading financial hub while accelerating UBS’s growth in the country and its expansion across the Middle East. Invest Qatar supported UBS in establishing its Wealth Management Office in Doha and launching a Business Solutions Hub. This Qatar-based hub serves as a centralised data and solution platform for regional clients’ services and products. Additionally, it actively contributes to nurturing local talents and foster high-skilled labour. In line with this strategic initiative, UBS has continued to deepen its presence and has over 250 employees in Qatar today, making it one of the largest foreign financial institutions in the country by workforce. 

Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani, CEO, Invest Qatar, said: "This summit not only reinforces Qatar’s position as a leading global hub for international business but also amplifies its dedication to embracing innovative and sustainable solutions to meet future challenges in the financial landscape. Our vision for Qatar is one that harmonises economic progress with sustainability. This summit serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to shaping a financial ecosystem that stands the test of time, ensuring prosperity for our nation and the world." 

Benjamin Cavalli, Head of UBS GWM Strategic Clients: “This year’s summit further deepened our relationships and strengthened the long-standing partnership with Qatar. It is a testament for our commitment to this key market and the entire Middle East, where UBS has been a trusted advisor to generations of entrepreneurs and families for more than 60 years, combining global expertise with local knowledge. We are excited to accompany Qatar on its journey as a dynamic financial and digital hub in the Middle East.” 

The summit fostered networking opportunities, peer interactions and cross-disciplinary discussions, allowing attendees to exchange experiences and knowledge. Parallel breakout sessions provided attendees with the chance to engage in interactive roundtable discussions on topics such as Generative Artificial Intelligence, sustainable asset allocation strategies and central bank digital currencies.