Qtel Focused on Maximizing Value

Qtel is focused on maximizing value for its stakeholders in 2010 and beyond. This will be achieved through a combined focus on enhancing operational performance, development of its existing portfolio and access to capital markets as required.

 

That was the key message shared with many of the world’s leading telecoms analysts at a session convened in Doha, Qatar.

 

Representatives from international financial groups including Citigroup, Qatar National Bank (QNB), HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Shuaa Capital, National Bank of Kuwait, CA Cheuvreux, Morgan Stanley, Nomura, JP Morgan, Credit Suisse and Bank of America Merrill Lynch all participated in the event, which was designed to provide an insight into Qtel’s progress on its strategic vision to become one of the world’s top 20 telecommunications companies by 2020.

 

Dr. Nasser Marafih, CEO, headed the Qtel delegation, which also included senior representatives from the company’s international, financial and strategic business units.

 

Dr. Nasser explains: “The support and engagement of the global financial community has been critical to the success of Qtel in recent years, and we will continue to work with our partners as we move ahead with our plans for growth and development. Communication is an essential part of any effective business relationship, so we wanted to use this opportunity to ensure that the analyst community had the chance to better understand our plans and strategic direction.”

 

Sessions at the workshop focused on Qtel’s key differentiators, in particular the Group’s diverse portfolio. Around 75 percent of total revenue for Qtel now comes from international operations and the company has achieved a balanced representation in markets where mobile penetration is high, such as the GCC region, and emerging or growth markets, such as Iraq and Algeria.

 

Qtel’s impressive expansion has come from both organic growth and acquisition – which has seen the company grow from a Qatar-based integrated telecom operator with just over 500,000 customers in 2001, into a significant telecoms player with a business presence in 17 countries with over 53 million customers.

 

“Qtel is committed to transparency, which is why we have invested so much time in speaking and listening to investors, analysts, customers and the whole community. Events like today’s Analyst Day reflect our commitment to communication with all stakeholders,” concluded Dr. Nasser.