BE Magazine - August 2026

Qatar's QCB HIGHLIGHTS FINANCIAL SECTOR RESILIENCE IN 2025 REVIEW Qatar Central Bank (QCB) yesterday reported the resilience of the coun- try’s financial system despite global economic challenges, alongside 2.9 percent real GDP growth and sus- tained strength in the banking sector. In its 2025 Financial Stability Review announced on X, the report notes that the banking sector maintained strong performance during the year, with total assets rising by 5.1 percent. Capital and liquidity buffers re- mained comfortably above regula- tory minimums, while stress tests confirmed the sector’s ability to with- stand adverse scenarios. The review also highlighted contin- ued progress in Qatar’s digital pay- ments ecosystem. The expansion of the Himyan national payment card and sustained growth of the Fawran instant payment platform contributed to greater reach and efficiency, with total retail payment values increasing by 82 percent compared with 2024. On cybersecurity and financial-sec- tor resilience, QCB said it conducted the country’s first sector-wide Cyber Resilience Exercise, established a Cyber Forensics Laboratory, and con- tinued the ‘Stay Aware National In- formation Security Awareness Campaign’. The initiatives were car- ried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, the National Cyber Security Agency and the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Author- ity. QCB stated that the combined efforts aim to reinforce information security while further enhancing the stability and efficiency of Qatar’s financial system. The review also underscored the central bank’s efforts to support the continued modernisation of Qatar’s financial infrastructure and strengthen the sector’s ability to re- spond to emerging risks. The growth of digital payment serv- ices reflects increasing adoption of electronic transactions and the ex- pansion of secure, efficient payment channels across the country. QCB’s cybersecurity initiatives repre- sent another key area of focus. The sector-wide ‘Cyber Resilience Exercise’ was designed to assess pre- paredness and strengthen the finan- cial system’s capacity to prevent, respond to and recover from cyber incidents. The establishment of the ‘Cyber Forensics Laboratory’ is also ex- pected to enhance capabilities in in- vestigating and addressing cyber-related incidents. These developments highlight QCB’s continued focus on maintaining fi- nancial stability, strengthening insti- tutional resilience and supporting sustainable economic growth while ensuring Qatar’s financial sector re- mains well-positioned to navigate fu- ture challenges. the BANKING EXECUTIVE 30 ISSUE 212 AUGUST 2026