A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE Guided by its mandate to consolidate Qatars profile as a destination of choice for global businesses and investors, QFC intensified efforts to enhance service delivery and operational processes across all QFC functions. Its dedicated teams worked hand-in-hand internally, as well as with external entities, creating a seamless and robust environment for QFC clients and partners. The year began with QFC teams enhancing client interactions significantly. The QFC proudly served over 18,000 prospects face-to-face, and efficiently processed more than 17,000 service requests including visa assistance, labour approvals, and more, achieving an impressive 98.6% processing rate within the SLA timeline. QFCs dedication resonated through its bustling call centres, handling nearly 21,000 calls and responding to about 22,000 emails with diligence and care. Innovation took centre stage with the introduction of AskQFC, a chatbot that A PLATFORM FOR GROWTH FOCUS ON FINANCIAL SERVICES quickly became a crucial resource for clients seeking information, offering answers to FAQs at their fingertips. QFC also revamped its client affairs newsletter, providing valuable insights and updates, fostering stronger community engagement. A major stride in enhancing QFCs service delivery was the introduction of the VIP Onboarding Service. This service, designed to provide a seamless and personalised experience, offers new applicants access to a dedicated VIP relationship manager, ensuring a unique and smooth transition into QFCs ecosystem. ENHANCING QFCS PROPOSITION AND SERVICING TRUSTED CLIENTS QFCs reputation as a dynamic financial and business hub was further solidified with the addition of 327 new firms, including 25 Special Purpose Companies (SPCs), which marked a 19 per cent increase from the previous year. These entities are exclusively dedicated to commodity trading, including a number of industry giants, with projections indicating significant tax revenue growth for QFC in the coming years. Over 50 businesses from the digital sector and several others operating within the investment services, fintech, sports, and media were incorporated, representing Qatars innate ability to attract new tech talent to the region. Across the sphere of financial services, one of QFCs most notable feats was drafting and submitting the Digital Assets Regulatory Framework for public consultation in 2023. In tandem, QFC collaborated with multiple global partners, including banks, fintechs, technology companies, and technology infrastructure providers, to establish a first-of-its-kind Digital Assets Lab in Qatar. These initiatives represent a crucial step, forward in developing the countrys digital assets industry. It feeds into the nations growing appetite for digital innovation encapsulated within its strategic priorities for 2030. QFC continued to participate in, and contribute to, The Capital Markets Development Executive Action Plan, as well as the Executive Action Plan for the Development of Financial Sector, tasked with multiple action areas, including debt capital markets, asset management and Islamic finance. QFC also combined efforts with Qatar Central Bank as part of a task force to review new fintech applications, challenges and strategic initiatives. PROCEDURAL EXCELLENCE As part of QFCs ongoing endeavour to ease the process of firms incorporation within Qatars business ecosystem, it initiated significant work towards creating policies and procedures for conditional licensing for non-regulated fintechs, which it will continue working on through 2024.