1. PRESS RELEASE
One of the major highlights of the global economic policymaking agenda in 2012 in Qatar, region
QNB the Platinum Sponsor of UNCTAD XIII
Doha, 18 April 2012 - Qatar National Bank (QNB) Group, the leading financial institution in the State of
Qatar, will be the Platinum Sponsor of the thirteenth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade
and Development (UNCTAD XIII) which is being held in Qatar from 21-26 April 2012.
This is the first time a UNCTAD conference is being held in the Middle East region and Qatar will
welcome a large number of global leaders representing United Nations member states during the course
of the summit. The summit is expected to be one of the most important in recent times, considering the
long tail of the global financial and economic crisis.
The theme of UNCTAD XIII is “Development-centred globalization: Towards inclusive and sustainable
growth and development” and QNB’s participation in this global summit is an extension of its growing
role in regional and international banking and financial services, as well as a commitment to provide
positive support to the communities in which it operates.
QNB Group is a leading supporter of economic events in Qatar and internationally and participates in
many key economic summits throughout the year, including the acclaimed 20th World Petroleum
Congress which was in Doha last year (2011) for the first time in the Middle East. In 2012 QNB Group has
been the Gold Sponsor of the Third Annual CFA Institute Middle East Investment Conference, as well as
the Diamond Sponsor of the ICC Banking Commission Meeting in Doha. Both events were held in March
this year.
QNB’s support of major economic summits goes beyond financial sponsorship. The Bank actively
participates in such summits to help generate more awareness of the financial sector and opportunities
for collaborative growth, as well as build relationships and bridges between Qatar and the world.
As part of the Group’s unique performance, the Bank was recently named one of the World’s 50 Safest
Banks and one of the Safest Banks in the Middle East, according to the latest update published by Global
Finance in April 2012. QNB also became the number 1 brand in the MENA region, and moved up to the
114th place amongst the world's top 500 banking brands as compared to place 189 in 2011.
The Group offers customers and clients with access to 24 countries in the Middle East, North Africa,
Europe and Asia, where its network, subsidiaries and affiliate companies employ over 7,000 staff
operating from 335 branches and offices that are supported by an ATM network that exceeds 650
machines.
Established in 1964, UNCTAD promotes the integration of developing countries into the world economy.
UNCTAD has progressively evolved into an authoritative knowledge-based institution whose work aims
to help shape current policy debates and thinking on development. The secretariat works together with

2. member Governments and interacts with organizations of the United Nations system and regional
commissions, as well as with governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations, the private
sector, including trade and industry associations, research institutes and universities worldwide
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