H.E. Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, Governor of the Qatar Central Bank, announced ongoing cooperation with Qatar Development Bank to launch the National Lending Platform, aimed at enabling small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to access financing more easily and promoting transparency and competition among banks operating in the country.
This announcement came during H.E.’s participation in the National Development Forum, where he noted that loans provided to SMEs grew by 28% in 2024, driven by the “Dhaman” program launched by Qatar Development Bank to support this vital sector.
He also explained that the private sector witnessed significant growth in credit volume, with a compound annual growth rate of 11% during the period from 2011 to 2024, surpassing the growth achieved by the public sector, which stood at 7.6% over the same period.
In a related context, H.E. Sheikh Bandar revealed a new initiative launched by the Qatar Investment Authority: a “Fund of Funds” valued at $1 billion, which aims to close the funding gap for entrepreneurs and provide flexible financial tools to support startups and contribute to building a diversified and sustainable economy.
These steps are part of a comprehensive vision to enhance the business environment in Qatar and offer more inclusive financing solutions that support private sector growth, with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship as key pillars of economic development.
