• Dr Al-Shaibei: Implementing the branch network restructuring strategy in the light of market developments and customer requirements

DOHA: HE Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah al-Thani, QIIB Chairman and Managing Director inaugurated the bank's branch at the City Center, Doha in the presence of Board members, Dr Abdulbasit Ahmed al-Shaibei, Chief Executive Officer, senior QIIB executives as many other dignitaries.

Following the opening ceremony marking the official launch of operations at the new QIIB Branch, HE Sheikh Dr. Khalid toured the facility, interacted with the employees and emphasised on delivering quality services` to meet customer expectations and a distinguished banking service that suits their needs.

The new branch is located on the ground floor of the City Center, which is among the oldest, most important and popular shopping destinations in the State of Qatar, frequented by all sections of the society.

At the City Center branch, QIIB customers will have greater choices in terms of banking products and services and a range of Islamic banking services that have already satisfied thousands of customers.

Commenting the occasion, QIIB Chief Executive Officer Dr Abdulbasit Ahmed al-Shaibei said, “We are now at an advanced stage of our strategy of restructuring our nationwide branch network in the light of market developments and customer preferences. Our presence in popular shopping malls across Qatar is in line with this.

“Today, we are inaugurating the QIIB branch at the City Center, after the opening of our branches at the Ezdan Mall, Mall of Qatar and the Doha Festival City. We will continue to expand and open other branches at The Mall (Al Hilal) and at the Ezdan Mall in Al Wakrah in due course”.

“Shopping malls are very vibrant these days with a constant influx of visitors, all throughout the day. They extend various services and attract various segments of the society.

“Therefore, we reckon that our presence at leading shopping malls will add greater value to customers` shopping options, where they can easily and conveniently access various services at one place, at any time of the day”, Dr al-Shaibei added.

"The QIIB branch at the City Center is located in a prime area – the Towers Zone - where a large segment of customers live and work. Through this new branch, we get closer to many customers who can reach us faster, with the possibility of performing other tasks at the City Center”, Dr al-Shaibei noted.

The QIIB Chief Executive Officer said, “Through the restructuring process, the bank is responding to the increasing demand for its services. Its presence in major malls will provide more flexibility to our customers, especially in view of the longer business hours. Therefore, more customers can benefit from our services.

“We are also responding to competition at the local market place. Ultimately, customers benefit from competition. Banks also benefit from competition as they will have the ability to scale up the quality of their services being offered to customers.”

Dr Al-Shaibei said the team chosen to work at the new branch is highly competent and skilled.

“We expect an increasing demand for services at the City Center branch, and our employees shall be able to meet the needs of various customer categories. As for the internal design chosen for the branch, we were keen to reflect modernity as well as a contemporary style, while embracing the ancient Islamic art- a design we are committed to implement in all our new branches”.

Dr Al-Shaibei noted that the expansion of the QIIB branch network would be in tandem with alternate electronic channels, which has been the trend in banking, globally.

QIIB is keen to consistently develop its banking services via mobile phones, as well as telephone banking and internet banking.

The bank has effected a thorough upgrade of its round-the-clock call center, along with the expansion of ATMs in various prime locations.

This will give customers more flexibility and save them valuable time as they bank with us. They can even take advantage of a bouquet of banking services without having to visit the QIIB branches, if they choose so.

The QIIB Branch at the City Center Doha will be open Saturday through Thursday, in two shifts- morning from 9am to 2:30pm and evening from 3:30 pm to 9 pm.

On Fridays, the branch will operate from 4 pm to 9 pm.