Sheikh Dr Khaled bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani (cente), Chairman and Managing Director, QIIB; Ahmed Al Shaibei (first right), CEO, QIIB and other senior officials at inauguration ceremony of QIIB's Al Sadd branch, yesterday. (Pic: Kammutty VP/ The Peni
Sheikh Dr Khaled bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani, Chairman and Managing Director, QIIB yesterday inaugurated the bank’s new branch at Al Sadd.
Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony, Ahmed Al Shaibei, CEO, QIIB said regularity authority in Morocco has given approval for banking licence to QIIB.
“Credit Institutions Committee in Morocco has given its approval to allow issuance of banking licence to five banks, including QIIB, in Morocco for establishment of Islamic banks. This is approval for issuing licence but the actual license will be issued by the Central Bank of Morocco within a month,"said Al Shaibei
"The capital of the new bank is $100m and QIIB will set up branches in Morocco,” added Al Shaibei. QIIB, in December 2005, announced that it had signed a joint venture (JV) agreement with CIH Bank SA (Crédit Immobilier et Hôtelier), a Moroccan bank, for the establishment of a bank in Morocco.
The opening ceremony was attended by members of the QIIB Board of Directors’ and senior executives from various bank departments. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony Sheikh Dr Khaled bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani and other dignitaries toured the divisions of the new branch.
“This branch has been opened within the framework of our strategy, which focuses on the local market that is significantly important to the bank. In view of the ever increasing demand for our products and services, we need to grow in terms of our branch network. Also, we need to relocate some of our branches on account of the customer needs,” said Al Shaibei.
The Al Sadd branch is conveniently located at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Street, opposite the Hamad Medical Corporation’s hospitals.
QIIB is planning to open more branches this year to meet the growing demand of its banking services and products.
“The Al Sadd branch complements new branches that have been opened in the recent months at Muaizer, Ezdan Mall and Al Khor. Today, we open Al Sadd branch, and it is clear that by opening new branches, we are keen on showing our traditional Qatari spirit of reaching out to our customers and serving them wholeheartedly,” said Al Shaibei.
“In the short term, QIIB hopes to open other branches as we are currently working on finalising our branches at the City Center and the Mall of Qatar. By opening new branches at popular malls, we are enriching the banking experience of our customers,” he added. Apart from expanding branches, the bank is also focusing to further strengthen alternate channels such ATMs, call centres, phone and internet banking.
“In parallel to opening new branches, we are further developing and enhancing the alternate channels such as ATMs, the call centre, mobile and phone banking, and internet banking services. This will help our customers’ save their valuable time and ease their efforts," said Al Shaibei.
"Through such alternate channels, we can also provide the most efficient and secure banking services to our customers. At QIIB, we pay special attention to enhancing the quality at all our branches in line with the banking standards adopted worldwide,” he added.
