The World Bank Group has officially launched its first office in Doha, marking a new stage in its partnership with Qatar and reinforcing the country’s growing influence in international development and finance.
The office was inaugurated on Sunday and is set to serve as a regional centre for cooperation between the World Bank Group and Qatari institutions. Its work will focus on development financing, mobilising private investment and supporting countries dealing with conflict and economic fragility. The office is hosted at the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) headquarters, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance.
At the opening ceremony, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga said the decision reflects a deepening relationship built on shared goals. He stressed the importance of strengthening ties with Qatar, not only to support growth in neighbouring countries, but also to encourage greater flows of private capital into emerging markets to drive jobs and long-term prosperity.
A Hub for Regional Collaboration
The Doha office is designed to act as a platform for closer regional engagement, bringing together the World Bank Group and Qatari partners to work more effectively on development initiatives. Banga noted that talks during his visit focused on expanding cooperation beyond government entities to include financial institutions and development partners across Qatar.
By establishing a permanent presence in Doha, the World Bank Group aims to improve coordination and deepen its impact across the region.
Aligning With Qatar’s National Vision
Qatari officials described the opening as both symbolic and practical. Minister of Finance H.E. Ali bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari said the new office represents an important milestone in a long-standing partnership and is expected to deliver tangible benefits to Qatar’s economy and national development goals.
He added that the office would contribute to capacity building and provide training opportunities for young Qataris, supporting Qatar National Vision and strengthening local expertise.
Boosting Private Investment in Fragile Economies
The new office brings together several arms of the World Bank Group, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), allowing for closer coordination on development projects, investment and risk management.
Alongside the opening, QFFD and the World Bank Group signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening advisory services and exploring new financing tools, particularly for fragile and conflict-affected countries. QFFD officials said the partnership is focused on attracting private sector participation in challenging environments by blending public funding with World Bank instruments such as guarantees.
The collaboration aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises, create jobs and promote more sustainable economic growth in regions where access to capital remains limited.
