Qatar Telecom (Qtel) has been named as the “Best Company for Investor Relations in Qatar” in the 1st Middle East Investor Relations Society Awards at a major ceremony in Dubai.
 
The Middle East Investor Relations Society (ME IR Society) is an independent not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting excellence for investor relations standards across the region, and its first awards recognise the strong efforts being made by companies like Qtel in ensuring transparency and support for best practice.
 
In a year of challenging economic conditions, Qtel has successfully tapped the international finance markets with two pioneering initiatives. Qtel obtained investment grade ratings in the midst of the credit crisis towards the end of 2008, which provided the company with a firm platform to launch both a USD 1.5 billion dual tranche bond and a USD 2 billion revolving credit facility.
 
Throughout this process, Qtel has maintained its position as the leading company for corporate governance in Qatar, based on the evaluation by the Hawkamah Institute of Corporate Governance. Qtel is one of the few companies in the GCC that posts not only quarterly analyst presentations, but also audio for investor conference calls, helping to support full transparency across the investment community.
 
Dr. Nasser Marafih, Chief Executive Officer, Qtel, said: “We are grateful for this award and the recognition of our efforts in an area of paramount importance to Qtel. The company takes its relationship with the investor and financial community very seriously and in the past year has worked very hard to enhance that relationship. We are proud of the achievements of the team and look forward to continued success in the future."
 
The company’s $1.5bn five and 10 year bonds  were oversubscribed more than eight times earlier in the year, reflecting the resounding success of the first-ever telecom bond issue in the Gulf region.
 
The “Best Company for Investor Relations in Qatar” was collected on Qtel’s behalf by Adel Al Mutawa, Executive Director, Group Communications, Qtel.
 
Earlier in the year, Qtel also received the ‘Corporate Treasury Deal of the Year’ from the Association of Corporate Treasurers Middle. As well as success in the financial arena, Qtel is also winning applause for its social and community activities. The company Qtel was named as the winner of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) award at the CEO Middle East Awards 2009.