QSE CEO Expects 5 SMEs to be Listed in First Half of 2018

Doha, February 12 (QNA) - CEO of Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) Rashid Al Mansoori said he expects that five SMEs will be listed in the first half of this year, following a joint coordination between Qatar Stock Exchange and Qatar Development Bank (QDB), which supports the concerned companies in this regard. On the sidelines of a press conference to announce the launch of the second edition of the SME Excellence List 2018, Al Mansoori pointed out that there are a number of requests for listing on the Stock Exchange that are prepared and arranged to list the concerned companies in coordination with the competent authorities in the country. He pointed out that Baladna is currently in the process of listing, in addition to other companies that have submitted applications to Qatar Stock Exchange. Most of them are expected to be listed during the current year, he said. He stressed the performance strength of Qatar Stock Exchange, despite the declines experienced during the last period, adding that Qatar Stock Exchange has seen since the beginning of the year an unprecedented increase compared to regional exchanges, and the listed companies announced positive results, and generous dividends to the shareholders, which proves that the Qatari market is one of the best regional and global markets. Al Mansoori said that the coming period will witness the development of the stock exchange, including subscriptions increase and products and services development. Al Mansoori added that the companies financial results highlighted the strength of Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) and showed that QSE was not affected by the unjust siege imposed on Qatar, when others expected it to collapse. Now Qatar Stock Exchange maintained the same levels as they before the siege in terms of volume and values of trading. (QNA)