Foreign reserves amount to QR202.2bn amid robust financial stability

Doha, Qatar - The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) has released its 2025 Annual Report, detailing key developments that bolstered the nation's financial sector. According to the report, official reserves reached QR202.2 billion by the end of 2025, with gold's share increasing to 28.9 percent. This surge in gold reserves, up from 7.9 percent a year prior, contributed to a total reserve coverage of currency issued at 995.4 percent.

The central bank maintained robust financial stability by implementing forward-looking risk assessments, expanded stress testing, and proactive oversight. These measures ensured that banking capital and liquidity buffers remained well above regulatory thresholds. To preserve confidence in the currency peg, the QCB lowered key policy rates by a cumulative 75 basis points throughout the year.

Regulatory and supervisory structures were strengthened through a new risk-based methodology, involving 15 onsite summary reviews of all eight Qatari national banks and 84 special inspection missions. Under the Third Financial Sector Strategy (3FSS), the QCB led 153 of the 283 total projects, with 111 projects from the strategy completed in the third consecutive year.

The nation's payment and settlement systems witnessed substantial usage, with the QCB-operated QA-RTGS settling nearly 497,000 high-value transactions worth QR10.26 trillion. Additionally, a foreign currency transfer service was introduced, enabling banks to settle and transfer US dollar transactions locally through QCB accounts.

Capital markets also experienced growth, with QCB launching the second phase of the Primary Dealers Framework, holding its first auction in August 2025. Government bond and sukuk issuances reached QR23.3 billion, bringing total outstanding instruments to QR121.4 billion.

Innovation and human capital development were emphasized throughout 2025. Licensed FinTech entities expanded to 14, following the publication of 10 key regulations, with sandbox programmes receiving over 90 applications and admitting six firms. QCB delivered 104 specialized training programs to 4,664 participants and institutionalized a formal recruitment framework and a QCB-led learning platform.

The 2025 Annual Report highlights the QCB's commitment to a stable, innovative, and resilient financial sector, positioning Qatar well for future challenges and opportunities. Officials emphasized Qatar's aim to foster sustainable economic growth and maintain the highest standards of financial integrity.