Qatar Central Bank’s international reserves see 2.6% annual rise

RIYADH: Qatar Central Bank’s international reserves and foreign currency liquidity increased by 2.65 percent year on year in December, reaching 261.8 billion Qatari Riyals ($71.7 billion).

This compares to 255 billion riyals recorded in the same month of 2024, according to official data reported by the Qatar News Agency.

The expansion of Qatar’s reserves signals a strengthening regional financial position that is anticipated to be reflected in the December data of other Gulf Cooperation Council nations.

The trend was prefigured by Saudi Arabia, where foreign reserve assets saw a substantial monthly rise of 5 percent in November, reaching $463.6 billion, suggesting a region-wide accumulation of liquidity and buffers.

GCC central banks, whose currencies are pegged to the US dollar, often mirror the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy stance. Accumulating foreign reserves helps maintain the credibility of these pegs, manage liquidity, and defend the agreed exchange rates during periods of global financial volatility.

Qatar Central Bank’s international reserves see 2.6% annual rise

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