The role of investment banking is a crucial component for increasing the efficiency of Arab economies, said a leading economic expert Sheikha Hanadi Nasser bin Khalid Al Thani, vice chairperson and managing director of Amwal, the Qatari investment banking firm.

Delivering her keynote speech at the 9th Arab Economic Forum in Doha, Sheikha Hanadi expressed optimism about the future of Arab economies. She highlighted the success of her home country, Qatar, as a trendsetter in capital generation, which helped speed up the economic growth that the energy-rich nation already enjoyed. 
Some 600 financial and political experts attended the forum.
“Qatar has leapt ahead to becoming the nerve centre of the Arab economy’s internationally recognised economic performance,” said Sheikha Hanadi. “Against the backdrop of fast-improving macro-economic conditions, enhanced regulatory environment facilitated by the formation of the Qatar Financial Centre and the continuous development of the Qatari capital markets, Qatar’s financial industry is taking the country to greater milestones this decade.”
She lauded the role of platforms such as the Arab Economic Forum saying it highlighted the potential of Arab economies to an international audience. She hoped that Amwal’s partnership with the Qatar Business Foundation in hosting the prestigious forum would reiterate the need for a more dynamic investment environment and help induce capital inflow into the country.
Discussing the situation in Qatar, she said there were endless business opportunities and the capital market was reflective of them. As many as 10 IPOs were slated for 2006, there were numerous opportunities in real estate and family groups were restructuring. The ‘deal flow’ for investment banking was robust. The country’s stock market capital now represented nearly 300 per cent of Qatar’s GDP (as of September 2005), a five-fold rise over the past three years and was poised for further growth. The GDP had doubled in five years, setting a new record in 2004 with an increase of 20 per cent over 2003 to reach $28.5 billion. 
That was not all, she said.  Qatar aimed to consolidate its leadership position through further capital injection.  Nearly $100 billion had been earmarked for investment up to 2010 and GDP was projected to grow at more than 10 per cent per annum. “Economic infrastructure is poised for increased efficiency, while liberalisation of the economy and a greater role for the  private sector are expected to help attract foreign direct investments,” she told the forum.
On the asset management side, there was tremendous demand for investment products such as IPO funds, Islamic private equity and real estate securitisation opportunities that offered diversification and catered to the varying risk–return profile of investors. Sheikha Hanadi said.