CHAIRMAN MESSAGE H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Qassim Al-Abdullah Al-Thani I am pleased to witness the Qatar Financial Centre once again showcase its expertise in advancing its strategic goals, aligned with the Qatar National Vision 2030. Building on the momentum of commercial activities and business opportunities following the successful delivery of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, QFC closed 2023 with significant achievements across its operations, leading to substantial growth. Its extensive domestic and international network, a critical factor in driving business and industry growth, has expanded further through partnerships spanning continents and industries, including healthcare, ICT, energy, venture capital, asset management, family office, and other financial services verticals. As part of its strategic plan to position Qatar as a hub for innovation and wealth, QFC launched two major initiatives: the Digital Assets Lab, which included the public consultation for its Digital Assets Regulatory Framework, and the inaugural Family Business Community Retreat, highlighting Qatars strength as a destination for wealth and wealth management among key stakeholders. CEO MESSAGE Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida It is a privilege to share with you QFCs 2023 Annual Report, which tells our story of growth and development over a phenomenal year. It will come as no surprise to anyone that we began 2023 on a high, the nation still jubilant after the successful delivery of one of the most iconic football tournaments the world had ever seen. Though a decade in planning, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 TM positively impacted every aspect of our economy and gave us additional opportunities to diversify our economic base beyond hydrocarbons. Building on this momentum, we strengthen or global network, forming partnerships with key markets such as Trkiye, Rwanda, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, Canada, and Latin America by signing 18 agreements. The second half of the year proved the effects of the World Cup were not a fleeting triumph, and the country recorded a strong performance with growth rates for output and new businesses remaining well above the six-year trend. Companies continued to point to tourism as spurring growth, and financial services continued to expand sharply. We capitalised on this renewed vigour to create a framework of cooperation focused on developing the financial services industry through shared resources and initiatives. In the fintech sector, QFC established collaboration platforms with key entities from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Another key highlight of 2023 was our full calendar of events. We organised as many as 84 events, bringing together business leaders and innovators from across the world to demonstrate first-hand Qatars prowess on the global economic stage whilst also fostering a culture of knowledge exchange and best practice. One of our standout events was the inaugural Family Business Community Retreat, held in collaboration with leading wealth manager Julius Baer. It brought together over 100 of the worlds most distinguished family business leaders for a two-day retreat which explored the latest trends and shifting priorities in global family businesses, emphasising shared responsibility and a sense of duty. And notably, through our global outreach, we concluded the year having successfully onboarded 327 new firms. With eyes fixed firmly on the future, we are on a renewed trajectory of growth, innovation and expansion - one that is underpinned by Qatars keen desire to evolve and embrace all that digital and technological capabilities can provide. Having built such strong foundations, Im incredibly excited to see what we can collectively achieve in 2024. QFC has also made significant strides in enhancing the ease of business incorporation and excelling in service delivery. These strategic efforts have resulted in the continued growth of firms registered under its platform, with 327 new firms added, raising its assets under management to US$ 21.1 billion, an 85% increase from US$ 11.4 billion in 2018. As we look ahead to 2024, I am confident that QFC is well-positioned to further its mission of attracting global corporations and businesses to Qatar, fostering our dynamic and thriving financial ecosystem. EVENTS