Sustainability is the future of investing: Doha Bank CEO

(MENAFN – Gulf Times) Doha Bank recently hosted an online client event titled ‘Investment Outlook’ wherein Group CEO Dr R Seetharaman emphasised that sustainability ”is the future of investing.”

Over 400 guests attended the event on various virtual channels, and was sponsored by the Private Banking division solely for Doha Bank’s high net worth clients in Qatar.

Slim Bouker, head of Private Banking, said these investment outlooks are part of Doha Bank’s ongoing efforts to bring market knowledge to its clients. During the event, he discussed partnership with the Bank of Singapore (BoS), saying: ”We bring BoS expertise at the doorstep of our high net worth clients here in Qatar.”

For his part, Seetharaman cited the World Bank’s outlook for June, saying the global economy is expected to grow by 5.6% in 2021.

”The advanced economies are expected to grow by 5.4% in 2021 and emerging market and developing economies are expected to grow by 6% in 2021. Significant volatility was noticed after the recent Fed meeting with the dollar strengthening, precious metals weakening, and capital markets falling.

”The recent rallies in industrial metals also subsided on account of the strong dollar. The economy expects to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. However, inflation concerns had hurt capital markets. The environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework has been given thrust globally and in Qatar. Sustainability is the future of investing.” Seetharaman said.

Internationally recognised industry experts also participated in the forum, which was moderated by Seetharaman. Dr Ian Thom, research director at Woodmac, elaborated on the topic ‘Oil & Gas Investment Trends and What it Means for Qatar?’

”Qatar has the world’s most competitive LNG, and thanks to the massive North Field expansion, it is one of the few countries globally where hydrocarbon investment is scaling up,” Thom said.

Qatar Airways chief commercial officer Thierry Antinori said, ”We at Qatar Airways have been very honoured to join this conference and to provide an update on our Covid-19 crisis management. We have never been stopping to fly during the pandemic. Since the beginning of the crisis, we were there for our customers who needed us as a reliable and resilient airline to repatriate, and to build on our industry leadership in terms of product quality and biosafety and on trusted relationships with trade and customers to become the largest airline in the world in internal traffic. Sustainability has been a permanent focus too by deploying B787 and A350 aircraft generating substantially less emissions than four-engine aircraft.”

Nathalie Wallace, head of ESG Strategy & Development at Mirova (an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers), said: ”Mirova, by being at the forefront on innovation in sustainable finance, helps clients transition their investment portfolios, in line with a global economy experiencing a fourth industrial revolution.”

Slim also emphasised that Doha Bank supports the views of capital preservation and growth. ”Our clients deserve diversity in their investment solutions. Together with Bank of Singapore, we strive for long-lasting client relationships,” he added.

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