The Qatar Exchange is planning to develop the local bond markets to help local corporates and projects raise funding, according to the chief executive of the bourse, Andre Went.

Speaking at the MEED Qatar Projects Conference 2012, Went said, “We are working with the regulator to develop listing rules for project bonds. Currently the regulations facilitate equity issues and government bonds, we are now working on corporate bond regulations.”

Last year the Qatar Central Bank listed riyal denominated treasury bills on the exchange as part of its plans to soak up some of the liquidity in the local banking sector and foster the development of the local capital markets.

“The central bank treasury bills are an important first step in building the yield curve,” adds Went.