Julius Baer to expand into Qatar to drive regional expansion

Swiss wealth manager Julius Baer has announced its intent to set up an advisory office in Qatar to drive regional expansion.

The office is expected to open in Qatar Financial Centre, subject to regulatory approvals. The Swiss bank is currently working with Qatar Financial Centre Authority and the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority for the incorporation and application process, a statement said.

Julius Baer has hired Slim Bouker to oversee the expansion and lead the advisory office, once the requisite approvals are in place. Bouker joins Julius Baer from Doha Bank’s wealth management arm where he was head of private banking. In his new role, he will report to Alireza Valizadeh, chief executive officer, Julius Baer (Middle East) Ltd.

Régis Burger, global head Middle East and Africa at Julius Baer, said: “We have grown our Middle East business by leaps and bounds in the past decades and this move will support our next phase of growth and development in the region. Over many years, Qatar’s story of growth has been as impressive as it has been successful, creating a diversified national economy supported by its natural resources. In addition, the country has made great strides in its efforts to become a sports and education hub in the Middle East, while promoting an ambitious art programme through its cultural institutions.”

“Julius Baer is an established name in the Middle East with a strong position in the region. Currently, we’re seeing the emergence of the next generation of clients – a generation that likes to look beyond the traditional ways of wealth preservation, especially in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries such as Qatar,” adds Alireza Valizadeh, chief executive officer, Julius Baer (Middle East) Ltd. “I am very pleased to welcome Slim to the Julius Baer family and I am confident that his experience and knowledge of Qatar will help us achieve our ambitious goals.”

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