Doha Bank continues to foster the next generation of Qatari banking leaders with 18 students graduating from CNA-Q as part of its Qatari Scholarship Program

Doha Bank’s Group CEO Dr. R. Seetharaman delivered an engaging lecture today on the topic “Economic Integration Towards a Borderless World’ to students at the College of the North Atlantic – Qatar (CNA-Q). The lecture was hosted as part of Doha Bank’s ongoing efforts to engage Qatari students in dynamic discussions that enhance their understanding of economic and financial issues, with a view to develop the next generation of Qatari leaders in banking.

The lecture was followed by a highly interactive Q&A session that saw enthusiastic participation from the students.

Sharing his insights on the concept of global economic integration, Dr. Seetharaman said, “We live in a changing world – the world is changing on account of several factors, with globalization, deregulation and consumerism being foremost among them. We also live in a world that is technologically-driven, a world that is interconnected and increasingly interdependent. Today, there is greater recognition that, as we move towards a borderless world, politics and economics have to converge at a global level and that territorial integrity is merely incidental. Global governance structures that transform the dynamics of policy-making are becoming imperative to achieving sustainable economic growth.”

Dr. R. Seetharaman gave insights on global economy. He said “ In its recent IMF World Economic Outlook the global economy is expected to grow by 3.5 per cent in 2015 and 3.7 percent in 2016. United States has been upgraded to 3.6 per cent in 2015 and 3.3 per cent in 2016. Eurozone annual growth projected at 1.2 percent in 2015 and 1.4 percent in 2016.UK growth for 2.7 percent in 2015 and 2.4 percent in 2016. Japan to grow at 0.6 percent in 2015 and 0.8 percent in 2016. China’s growth in 2015 at 6.8 per cent and 6.2 per cent in 2016. India growth at 6.3 percent in 2015 and 6.5 percent in 2016. Brazil growth has been brought to 0.3 percent in 2015 and 1.5 percent in 2016. Russia will have contraction of 3 percent in 2015 and 1 percent in 2016.”

Speaking on the fall in oil prices, Dr. Seetharaman said, “People today are worried about the plunging price of oil, which however is not a reflection of demand and supply alone. In the last six months, we have seen oil prices come down by 50 per cent – this does not mean that supply has increased by 50%, or that demand has reduced by 50%. Yes, there indeed is excess supply, but what really has changed is the currency. The Dollar Index, for instance, has moved from 79 to above 94, and has also contributed to fall in prices in the commodity market. When the Dollar is weak, people hedge their risks by buying commodity futures, and when the Dollar is strong they unwind their positions.”

The leading private commercial bank in Qatar, Doha Bank has a long history of supporting the education and training of high school, college and university students through scholarship and internship programs, and frequently collaborates with leading educational institutions in the country including CNA-Q.

This year alone, 18 Qatari students graduated from the College of the North Atlantic – 10 of them completing their studies at overseas campuses – as part of Doha Bank’s Qatari Scholarship Program which encourages Qatari students to pursue their higher education in Banking and Business Management / Administration.

Doha Bank also runs a robust Management Trainee Program that aims at absorbing university graduates and putting them on a fast-track training program. The program focuses on equipping graduates with managerial skills to handle future leadership roles within the Bank.