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Deutsche Bank has established a research centre of excellence in Qatar, the lender announced on July 9, 2026. The new facility builds on the bank’s office opened in the Qatar Financial Centre in 2007 and arrives as the institution prepares to mark 20 years of operations in the country next year. The development supports clients in financing, advisory and capital markets while capitalising on sustained investment momentum and capital flows into the region.
In a statement, Deutsche Bank said the centre extends the work of its Research Institute launched last year and will place special emphasis on artificial intelligence to generate high-quality insights. The initiative forms part of the bank’s Global Hausbank strategy, which identifies a strong Middle East presence as essential for connecting global investors with local opportunities. This step reflects the lender’s commitment to locating specialised capabilities closer to its regional client base.
Salah Jaidah, chief country officer for Qatar and chairman for the Middle East and North Africa at Deutsche Bank, stated, “This milestone reflects Deutsche Bank’s long-term commitment to Qatar and the wider region. Strengthening our research capabilities on the ground enhances our ability to deliver timely, high-quality insights to clients and connect them with opportunities across the Middle East. The focus on AI and the connection to our broader Global Hausbank strategy, particularly through the Deutsche Bank Research Institute, further strengthens our offering and reflects our confidence in the country’s continued growth and its increasing importance within global financial markets.”
The bank appointed Nilendra de Mel to lead Asia Pacific and Middle East product development for research while assuming global product management duties. De Mel, who will be based in Doha, possesses more than 20 years of experience in global research roles. According to the announcement, the appointment reinforces efforts to strengthen on-the-ground expertise in key markets across the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
A Qatar economic report placed banking sector total assets at $591 billion at the end of 2025 after 5.1 per cent growth, the largest increase in four years, with credit facilities rising 6.6 per cent. Marmore MENA projected corporate earnings in Qatar to rise 8.3 per cent in 2026, driven by 10.4 per cent growth in the financial sector that represents 59.7 per cent of total market earnings. World Bank data estimated non-hydrocarbon sectors, including financial services, would expand by around 4.5 per cent in 2025.
Deutsche Bank’s Global Hausbank model seeks to deliver comprehensive client-focused solutions backed by global expertise and a strengthened financial position, according to the bank’s strategy documentation. The Qatar research centre contributes to this framework by enhancing local analytical capacity within a network that spans Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. The expansion coincides with the bank’s ongoing phase of targeted growth following its restoration of profitability in recent years.
