Al Rayan Investment wins QFC’s ‘Best Performing Company of the Year’ award

Al Rayan Investment (ARI) emerged as the ‘Best Performing Company of the Year’ to win the QFC’s 2019 Qatar Business Awards. This year’s winners include, Apparel Qatar for best employer of the year, CFA Society Doha for best non-profit of the year, Qatar SportsTech for most innovative company of the year, EPROJECTS for new business of the year, K&L Gates for best law firm of the year, Clyde & Co for corporate social responsibility programme of the year, PwC for best local partner of the year, Allianz Care for best customer service platform of the year, and Alfardan Group for the special recognition award.

Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, The Qatar Financial Centre’s (QFC), second annual Qatar Business Awards, brought together Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar Financial Centre and Hamad bin Mohammed Al Abdan, Director of the Business Development and Investment Promotion Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, along with a number of officials and senior executives from major Qatar-based companies.

The 2019 Qatar Business Awards was open to organisations that uphold a commitment to providing exceptional business services and innovation to their customers, partners, suppliers, as well as employees.

Al Rayan Investment, which has been adjudged as the best performing company of the year, is one of the most profitable asset managers in Qatar and now manages in excess of QR3bn of client assets. These assets are predominantly managed for institutional investors, with family offices with family offices a key part of its client base. Al Rayan GCC Fund has returned 66 percent since its inception in 2010; over the same period a comparable index of regional equities has risen 18 percent, according to ARI. ARI Qatari equities portfolios have gained 12 percent so far in 2019 while the market is down 2 percent. Over 24 months, the respective returns are +29 percent and +6.7 percent.

Raed Al-Emadi, Chief Commercial Officer, QFC Authority said: “The QFC is proud to host the second edition of Qatar Business Awards to recognise the success and achievements of outstanding businesses. By recognising the key role that QFC firms and the wider business community play in the local market, we are confident that the 2019 edition will offer a more inclusive platform for businesses to connect, inspire one another, and collectively celebrate their achievements as Qatar continues to build and diversify its growing economy.” Salam Al Shawa, Senior Vice President Marketing and Corporate Communications, Qatar Airways said: “Qatar Airways is proud to partner with the Qatar Financial Centre and be part of this inspirational evening where the Qatar business community comes together to celebrate its exceptional achievements. We congratulate all winners at the 2019 Qatar Business Awards and are delighted to support innovation and local talent in Qatar.” Joseph Abraham, Group Chief Executive Officer, Commercial Bank said: “We are happy to sponsor the Qatar Business Awards as part of our commitment to supporting the QFC and the State of Qatar in developing a global and diversified economy that is attractive to foreign companies looking to use Qatar as their regional base. We thank QFC for recognising QFC companies’ achievements through these awards.”

Lin Shengiang, President of Bank of China QFC Branch, said: “As a new joiner in Qatar market, Bank of China Qatar (BoCQ) has achieved enormous achievements under the support of QFC. BoCQ is honored to be a sponsor of QBA this year and we are looking forward to having more Chinese fellow companies participate in QBA.” The QFC also hosted ‘QBART’ on the sidelines of the business awards, an exclusive art exhibition designed to showcase inspirational work by local artists. QBART, a QFC corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, offered artists across Qatar a platform to both show their work and engage with business communities.

Qatar Airways, Commercial Bank of Qatar, Bank of China, Dentons & Co, Servcorp, Al Tamimi & Company International, and DWF LLP participated as sponsors of this year’s Qatar Business Awards.