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Qatar Central Bank and Euroclear announced their collaboration to establish a new international settlement link in line with Qatar’s Third Financial Sector Strategy and the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030, according to a joint statement from the institutions. The partnership will significantly enhance global investor access to the domestic government debt market, supporting greater liquidity, market depth, international participation and stronger connections to worldwide financial systems. Under the arrangement, investors worldwide will be able to purchase, hold and settle eligible riyal-denominated conventional government bonds and sukuk through Euroclear’s trusted infrastructure.
Euroclear Bank will act as the issuer central securities depository while Edaa, the Qatar Central Securities Depository, will serve as the investor CSD for local investors and Qatar Central Bank will operate as the issuer and paying agent, the joint statement explained. This structure represents an important milestone in strengthening Qatar’s government securities market and linking it directly with the international investment community. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve the competitiveness of Qatar’s financial markets and deepen integration with the global financial system.
The Qatar Central Bank and Euroclear noted in their announcement that the link comes as investors display rising interest in emerging market debt issued in local currencies. A September 2026 bond issuance by the Qatar Central Bank on behalf of the Ministry of Finance attracted bids totaling QR4 billion against an offering of QR400 million, according to central bank data, with maturities extending to 2028 and 2031 at yields of 4.9 and 5.3 percent respectively. Such oversubscription illustrates underlying demand for Qatari government paper ahead of the new settlement channel.
H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Khalid bin Ahmed Al Thani, deputy governor of the Qatar Central Bank, said in the statement that the collaboration marks a practical step toward expanding the international footprint of Qatari debt instruments. “By making Qatari government bonds and sukuk Euroclearable, we are helping to simplify market access, enhance liquidity and strengthen Qatar’s appeal to global investors,” Al Thani stated. “This collaboration builds on our long-standing partnerships across the Middle East and reflects our commitment to supporting the development of resilient, efficient and globally connected capital markets. We are delighted to work alongside our partners in Qatar to support the country’s long-term capital market ambitions.”
The Qatar Central Bank has pursued progressive modernization of financial market infrastructure in recent years as part of national plans to diversify the economy, according to strategy documents referenced in the announcement. Integration with Euroclear is expected to lower settlement risks and remove operational hurdles for overseas participants while maintaining established roles for local entities. The announcement was distributed by Qatar News Agency and reported across regional outlets including The Peninsula on the same day.
Qatar’s regular issuance of government bonds and sukuk has steadily built the domestic debt market, with the latest operations demonstrating consistent investor appetite according to Qatar Central Bank figures. The new link is anticipated to further diversify the investor base beyond regional participants and contribute to sustained market development through 2030. Implementation details for the settlement connection will be coordinated between the involved institutions in the coming period.
