Qatar’s Leading Operator Named for Telecom Deal of the Year Middle East and Outstanding Leader of the Year

Qtel continued its run of industry accolades this week, winning “Outstanding Leader of the Year” and “Telecom Deal of the Year Middle East” at the TMT Finance and Investment Middle East Awards, held in Doha, Qatar.
Both awards saw Qtel succeed against a shortlist of leading companies that included a number of the most significant names in regional and international telecommunications.
The “Outstanding Leader of the Year” award was awarded to Dr. Nasser Marafih, CEO of Qtel, in recognition of the remarkable transformation he has led that has seen the Qatari company grow from a single-country operation in 2005 into an integrated service provider with a presence in 17 countries today.
In particular, the judge’s report noted The Qtel Group’s success in continuing to drive the development of its home market – where Qtel now has 1.9 million consolidated customers – at the same time as enhancing its position in markets as diverse as Kuwait, Oman, Indonesia, Algeria and Iraq.
Since becoming CEO in 2002, Dr. Nasser has led the company from strength to strength, successfully guiding Qtel through its transformation program both domestically and globally. Throughout his distinguished career, he has played a key role in the growth of the telecommunications sector, helping to launch the first GSM service in the Middle East in 1994, working on the introduction of Internet to Qatar in 1996 and the privatization of Qtel in 1998.
Qtel was also the recipient of the Telecom Deal of the Year Middle East for its successful acquisition of 40.8% interest in Indosat from Asia Mobile Holding for $1.8bn in June 2008. With its subsequent Tender Offer now successfully complete, Qtel holds a 65 percent stake in the company.
Indonesia’s mobile phone market offers major potential for development, with penetration rates of approximately 48% of a population of 230 million people. Qtel is therefore in a position – through long-term investment and careful strategic management – to deliver significant benefits to Indosat shareholders and to the entire communications market in Indonesia.
“These awards both reflect that ongoing progress that Qtel is making, both at home here in Qatar and internationally,” said Dr. Nasser Marafih, CEO of Qtel. “We continue to enhance our service offering and prudently expand our global operations, in order that we can continue to deliver real value for our customers, shareholders and the people of Qatar. We are delighted that our efforts are being so widely recognized by our peers in the industry.”
The Indosat acquisition has received a string of industry awards in recent months, including the CommsMEA and Telecom Finance Awards for Best Deal Middle East.
In addition, Dr. Nasser received the “Outstanding Leadership” award at the 2nd annual Telecoms World Awards Middle East held in Dubai in November 2008.
The TMT Finance and Investment Middle East Awards 2009 were held at Sharq Village Hotel Doha. The event finished on March 19, 2009 (www.tmtfinance.com).
Photo Caption1: Qtel Board Member Mr. Abdullah Zaid Al Talib collects the “Deal of the year award” for Qtel.