Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) was created in 2009 between Qatar Holding (88%) and NYSE Euronext (12%) as the successor to Doha Securities Market; Qatar Holding purchased NYSE Euronext’s stake in 2013. In 2012, regulatory authority passed to Qatar Central Bank (QCB) from Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA), and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Investment Promotion Agency in 2021 to boost the attractiveness of Qatar as an investment destination.

Trading in treasury bills began in 2011 and in 2012 the Venture Market for SMEs was launched. In 2016 QSE joined the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative of the United Nations (SSEI). QSE migrated to a new trading system, Millennium, in June 2023, and is part of an agreement signed with the London Stock Exchange (LSEG) in 2022. The new system allows QSE to use LSEG’s financial markets technology products to oversee trading, market data, analysis and surveillance.

There are 51 listed companies on the main market and 2 on the venture market, and 7 brokerage firms (September 2023). While QFC companies are subject to separate rules and regulations, the listing and trading of shares in QFC companies still fall under the purview of QCB, QFMA and QSE.

Residents, expats and individual companies are all able to invest. Traders must open an account with a brokerage firm, who will act as an intermediary for all transactions and provide a National Investor Number for a fee of QAR100. Investors can now trade from a bank account in Qatar or in the country of residence. Traders must also register at Qatar Central Securities Depository (QCSD), established by QCB and licensed by QFMA to provide safekeeping, clearing and settlement of securities and other financial instruments listed on the exchange. qe.com.qa, qcsd.com.qa