Ashmore receives authorisation for a regulated business in Qatar
- Ashmore QFC LLC (“Ashmore Qatar”) will advise on Qatar investment opportunities and build relationships with domestic investors.
- Follows strategic partnership with Qatar Investment Authority (“QIA”) under the Active Asset Management Initiative, aligning with the country’s National Vision 2030 and ambitions to continue economic growth trajectory.
Ashmore Group plc (“Ashmore” or “the Group”), the specialist Emerging Markets asset manager that manages US$46.2 billion1, announces that Ashmore Qatar has been authorised by the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (“QFCRA”).
Ashmore has a long history of investing in Qatar and has conducted business with the country for more than two decades. The Ashmore Qatar office, which will operate under the QFCRA’s regulatory framework, will participate in Ashmore’s investment committees, including the provision of advice and input on the management of the Ashmore Qatar Equity Fund (“AQEF”), which was launched in January 2024 with the QIA as an anchor investor. Since inception to end April 2025, AQEF has delivered a cumulative gross USD return of 18.5% and has outperformed its benchmark index by 345 basis points.
Additionally, the office will support the development of relationships with local investors, providing access to Ashmore’s full range of Emerging Markets investment strategies across equities, fixed income and alternatives asset classes.
Ashmore currently manages approximately US$10 billion on behalf of clients based in the Middle East, which is invested in a diversified range of listed equity, fixed income and thematic private equity strategies.
The establishment of an office in Qatar is line with Ashmore’s strategy to develop a network of local businesses in attractive emerging economies. The new business complements Ashmore’s other offices in Colombia, India, Indonesia, Peru, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which together manage US$7.5 billion of assets, representing 16% of the Group’s total AuM.
Mark Coombs, Chief Executive Officer, Ashmore Group plc, said: “We are delighted to open our new office in Qatar, as a natural evolution of our long relationship. The country provides exciting growth opportunities as its domestic capital markets broaden and deepen, and its National Vision 2030 raises Qatar’s profile as an important investment destination for international investors. We look forward to our Qatar operations contributing to the growth and diversification benefits to the Group provided by Ashmore’s other local emerging markets businesses.”
Commenting on this milestone, Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, Chief Executive Officer, QFC, stated: “We are pleased to welcome Ashmore Group to the Qatar Financial Centre. As a globally recognised leader in emerging markets investment, Ashmore’s presence in Qatar reflects the growing appeal of our financial ecosystem and the strength of our regulatory framework. At the QFC, we are committed to providing a supportive platform for leading global institutions, enabling them to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the diversification and development of Qatar’s financial services sector, in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.”
ENDS
1. As of 31 March 2025
Ashmore QFC LLC is authorised by the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority.
Notes to Editors
About Ashmore
Ashmore is a specialist Emerging Markets investment manager that has successfully managed its clients’ capital for more than 30 years. The business was founded as part of ANZ in 1992, became independent in 1999 and listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2006. As of 31 March 2025, it manages $46.2 billion which is diversified by investment theme and by client. It is headquartered in London and has a network of 11 international offices, in Colombia, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the UAE and the United States of America.
About the Qatar Financial Centre
The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) is an onshore business and financial centre located in Doha, providing an excellent platform for firms to do business in Qatar and the region. The QFC offers its own legal, regulatory, tax and business environment, which allows up to 100% foreign ownership, 100% repatriation of profits, and charges a competitive rate of 10% corporate tax on locally sourced profits. The QFC welcomes a broad range of financial and non-financial services firms.
For more information about the permitted activities and the benefits of setting up in the QFC, please visit www.qfc.qa
@QFCAuthority | #QFCMeansBusiness
Media contact details for Ashmore Group
Cardew Group
Ashmore@cardewgroup.com
+44 207 766 1212
Henry Crane
henry.crane@cardewgroup.com
+44 7918 207157
Luke Bramwell
luke.bramwell@cardewgroup.com
+44 7467 992924
Media contact details for QFC
QFC Corporate Communications
Rasha Kamaleddine
r.kamaleddine@qfc.qa
+974 5504 9647