The Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA) has issued its 2024 annual report, summarising regulatory, supervisory and market-development activity across the Qatari capital market during 2024. The report highlights legislative output, work to strengthen offering and listing requirements, governance and disclosure monitoring, enforcement activity, and further investment in surveillance, AML/CFT supervision and information systems. During 2024, QFMA issued Insider Trading Rules and controls on companies’ buyback of their own shares with the intent of selling, and amended provisions including rules on ownership of shares in listed companies on the Qatar Stock Exchange, dividend distribution in listed shareholding companies, and buyback controls. Market activity covered in the report includes the listing of 55 government debt instruments (Treasury Bills and debt bonds) with a total nominal value of QAR 51 billion and five completed acquisitions valued at QAR 583 million, split between indirect acquisitions inside Qatar (QAR 43 million) and outside Qatar (QAR 540 million). QFMA also reviewed listed companies’ governance reporting against the Governance Code for Companies and Legal Entities in the Main Market, received 48 corporate governance reports for 2023 and related external auditor reports, and reported an overall corporate governance code compliance rate of 99% for 2022, with sector compliance for 2023 ranging from 100% (Transportation and Telecoms) to 98% (Industrials). Enforcement metrics cited include 15 Disciplinary Committee hearings, eight violations registered, 13 violations adjudicated and violation amounts totalling QAR 5.690 million. Systems and control developments described include the launch of a Market Data System for trading surveillance, an internal portal, a strategic plan project-management system, and Phase I implementation of the National Cybersecurity Framework alongside SIEM, proxy and endpoint detection and response solutions. For next steps, the report notes that the Offering and Listing of Securities Rulebook is being developed by consolidating related rules into a single rulebook in preparation for issuance.
Qatar Financial Markets Authority 2025-06-03
Qatar Financial Markets Authority publishes 2024 annual report detailing new insider trading rules and QAR 51 billion government debt listings
The Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA) released its 2024 annual report, detailing regulatory and market activities, including new Insider Trading Rules and share buyback controls. The report highlights the listing of 55 government debt instruments valued at QAR 51 billion and five acquisitions totaling QAR 583 million. It also notes a 99% corporate governance compliance rate for 2022 and advancements in surveillance and cybersecurity systems.