Top bankers set to meet in Qatar

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), in association with Qatar National Bank (QNB), will host its biannual ICC Banking Commission Meeting in Doha from March 25 to 29. The event will bring together some 400 banking leaders and executives from 50 countries. QNB is the diamond sponsor.

This year’s event – entitled Reframing the Future of Trade Finance – is designed to take stock of the current volatile economic climate, and will feature recent ICC market intelligence on trade finance, as well as discussions on ICC works-in-progress, such as the International Standard Banking Practice revision, the drafting of Bank Payment Obligation and forfeiting rules and a review of Basel III. A special Arbitration and Banking Summit will be held on the final day.

The meetings will also include consultations with heads of global trade from major international banks on ICC’s G20 policy input.

“Twice a year the ICC Banking Commission meeting brings together bankers, business leaders, finance experts and government officials to encourage dialogue, make policy recommendations, and develop rules to improve trade finance,” said Kah Chye Tan, chairman of the ICC Banking Commission. This year’s meeting will also feature a special focus on the MENA region and on Qatar in particular.

“Despite the global economy slowdown, it is an exciting time to do business in Qatar, thanks to the opportunities created by massive public and private investment in various industry sectors,” said Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammad Al Thani, chairman of ICC Qatar.

Speakers at the meeting will include Neil Esho of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, and Akshay Randeva, director strategic development of Qatar Financial Center, as well as representatives from The World Bank, International Finance Corporation, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Asian Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund.