The World Bank Group has officially launched its first office in Doha, marking a new stage in its partnership with Qatar and highlighting the country’s growing presence in international development and finance.
The office was inaugurated on Sunday and is expected to strengthen cooperation between the World Bank Group and Qatari institutions, particularly in development financing, private-sector engagement and support for countries affected by fragility and conflict. It is hosted at the headquarters of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), in coordination with the Ministry of Finance.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga said the move reflects a deeper relationship built around shared priorities. He pointed to Qatar’s potential to support growth in neighbouring countries while helping attract private capital into emerging markets to boost jobs and long-term prosperity.
A Regional Base for Cooperation
The Doha office is designed to act as a regional hub, bringing together the World Bank Group and Qatari partners to work more closely on development initiatives. Banga said discussions during his visit focused on broadening collaboration not only with government entities, but also with financial institutions and development partners across Qatar.
By establishing a permanent presence in Doha, the World Bank Group aims to enhance coordination and deepen its engagement across the region.
Supporting Qatar’s Development Vision
Qatari officials described the opening as an important milestone in a long-standing partnership. Minister of Finance H.E. Ali bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari said the new office reflects how far the relationship has progressed 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 the development of local talent.
Mobilising Investment in Fragile Economies
The new office brings together several branches 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 mitigation.
At the same time, QFFD and the World Bank Group signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at expanding advisory services and exploring new financing tools, particularly for fragile and conflict-affected countries. QFFD officials said the partnership is focused on unlocking private investment in challenging environments by combining 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.
