Iranian private banks to boost foothold in Qatar

TEHRAN, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- A number of major Iranian private banks have recently established relations with Qatar National Bank (QNB), Financial Tribune daily reported on Monday.

"These banks opened accounts with QNB and are prepared to offer financial services to Iranian and Qatari businesses," said Kourosh Parvizian, the CEO of Parsian Bank, in a meeting with Sheikh Abdullah Saoud Al-Thani, the governor of the Central Bank of Qatar.

Saoud Al-Thani pointed to the bright prospects of cooperation between the banks of the two countries and said Qatari lenders will make efforts to remove the obstacles quickly, according to the report.

The Iranian and Qatari banking officials also discussed using local currencies in bilateral trade and taking speedy measures to ease trade between the two countries.

At present, Bank Saderat Iran (BSI) is the only Iranian lender with branches in Doha. BSI is reportedly working to expand operations of its branch in Doha to help remove transactional problems facing Iranian exporters in Qatar.

Bank Melli Iran is also holding talks with one of the largest banks in Qatar for establishing correspondent ties. Enditem