Standard Chartered has announced the appointment of the bank’s first Arab chief executive for its business in Qatar. 

Abdulla Abdulrazaq Bukhowa is taking on the role of chief executive officer at Standard Chartered Bank, Qatar, and will be responsible for overseeing overall operations and managing international corporate and institutional clients’ segment in the country.

Bukhowa said he looked on his appointment as an opportunity for a challenge in a more strategic region, and said Standard Chartered was committed to furthering banking prospects in Qatar.

“We have a deep-rooted commitment to the State of Qatar, our clients, and the community. We have built strong relationships over the past decades and take pride in having witnessed the monumental economic and infrastructural developments, spearheaded by the country’s leadership,” he said.

“I am honoured to be leading our franchise in the State of Qatar, which is also one of our strategic markets in the GCC region.”

Standard Chartered Bahrain chief executive, Dr Boutros Klink, said Bukhowa’s appointment represented a milestone for the bank and would see him move from his current position in Bahrain to Doha.

“Abdulla played a key role in successfully transforming our business in Bahrain and I look forward to his leadership and experience in growing and developing our business in Qatar,” he said.

“His appointment comes as a milestone for us, as he is not only the first Arab CEO for Standard Chartered Qatar, but also the first GCC national to be occupying this important position.

“The GCC region and Qatar remain important and strategic markets for Standard Chartered and we will ensure they are led by qualified experts.”