Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and SACE, Italy’s export credit agency, have signed an export credit reinsurance agreement to support joint export transactions involving Qatari and Italian companies in third-country markets.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of TXF Global 2026: Export, Agency and Project Finance in Prague. It establishes a framework designed to help exporters from both countries pursue larger international projects with enhanced risk-mitigation support.
Under the arrangement, QDB and SACE will cooperate on transactions in which Qatari and Italian companies jointly supply goods or services to buyers outside their domestic markets. The framework is intended to facilitate cross-border export opportunities while providing a structured approach to managing commercial risk.
Khalid Abdullah Al Mana, Vice President of Enterprise Development at Qatar Development Bank and Executive Director of Qatar Exports, noted that the agreement strengthens QDB’s ability to support exporters seeking growth opportunities abroad. This agreement represents a significant extension of QDB’s export-support capabilities and reinforces our commitment to equipping Qatar-based companies with the tools they need to grow beyond local markets, he said.
Al Mana added that the framework would enable Qatari exporters to pursue larger international opportunities alongside Italian partners, supported by stronger institutional backing and clearer risk-management mechanisms. He said the initiative also supports Qatar’s economic diversification goals under the Third National Development Strategy 2024–2030.
SACE highlights advanced bilateral cooperation
Mario Melillo, Chief Network Officer at SACE, said that the agreement creates a practical mechanism for deeper collaboration between Italian and Qatari companies in international markets.
According to SACE, the framework establishes a structured approach to supporting export transactions involving both Italian and Qatari content, while fostering deeper economic ties between Italy and Qatar. The agreement creates a coordinated model in which one institution leads export credit coverage and the other supports the portion related to its national exporters. All transactions will be assessed and approved on a case-by-case basis.
The signing aligns with QDB’s broader strategy to strengthen Qatar’s export support ecosystem through partnerships with international export credit agencies and financial institutions.
Sharia-compliant nature
A notable feature is its Sharia-compliant structure. QDB will participate in line with Islamic finance principles, while the arrangement represents SACE’s first fully Sharia-compliant reinsurance agreement.
Through Qatar Exports, QDB offers market intelligence, export development services, financing, insurance, and risk-mitigation solutions to help companies expand globally and drive growth in Qatar’s non-hydrocarbon exports.
