Ali Sharif Al Emadi (Arabic: علي شريف العمادي; born 3 January 1969) is a Qatari economist and businessman. He served as the minister of finance from June 2013 to May 2021. He also served as chairman of the QNB Group and was on the board of directors of Ooredoo, Tunisian-Qatari Bank, and Union of Arab Banks.[1][2]

Ali Sharif Al Emadi
علي شريف العمادي
Al Emadi in 2019
Minister of Finance
In office
26 June 2013 – 6 May 2021
MonarchTamim bin Hamad
Prime Minister
Preceded byYousef Hussain
Succeeded byAli bin Ahmed (acting)
Personal details
Born (1969-01-03) 3 January 1969 (age 55)
NationalityQatari
Alma materUniversity of Arizona

Early life and education

edit

Al Emadi was born on 3 January 1969.[3] He holds a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Arizona.[1][4]

Career

edit

Al Emadi worked in the banking control department of the Qatar Central Bank for eight years until 1998.[4][5] He joined the Qatar National Bank in 1998.[5] He was appointed the bank's chief executive in 2005, succeeding Saeed bin Abdullah Al Misnad in the post.[5] Emadi was included in the Top 100 Powerful Arabs list in February 2013, coming in the 32nd place due to his role in the rapid growth and expansion of the Qatar National Bank.[2] His tenure lasted until June 2013.[4] He was appointed minister of economy and finance on 26 June in a cabinet reshuffle following the ascension of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as Emir of Qatar.[6] Emadi replaced Yousef Hussain Kamal in the post.[5]

He was named as a member of the administrative council of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) on 1 July 2013.[7] He was also made board chairman of Qatar National Bank on 7 July 2013.[8]

The Intercept reported on 2 March 2018 that Jared Kushner and his father, Charles Kushner, made a proposal to Qatar’s finance minister, Al Emadi, in April 2017 to secure investment into 666 5th Avenue asset in his family's company’s portfolio. When his request was not fulfilled, a group of Middle Eastern countries, with Jared Kushner’s backing, initiated a diplomatic assault that culminated in a blockade of Qatar. Kushner specifically undermined the efforts by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to bring an end to the standoff.[9]

Arrest and charges

edit

On 6 May 2021, a notice was issued by the Attorney General of Qatar to arrest him on charges of misuse of public money, abuse of function and abuse of power.[10] In late May El Emadi was dismissed from his post as the board chairman of Qatar National Bank following his arrest.[11]

In March 2023, Al Elmadi was charged with bribery, abuse of position and power, damage to public funds and money laundering, for which he will stand trial.[12][13]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "HE Mr. Ali Shareef Al Emadi , Minister of Finance". General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers. Archived from the original on 16 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Top 100 Powerful Arabs 2013". Gulf Business. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  3. ^ "HE Ali Sharif Al Emadi". Dhownet. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "Chief who built the biggest Arab bank takes over Qatar finances". Gulf News. Doha. Bloomberg. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d "Qatar's new finance minister:Ali Sherif Al-Emadi" (PDF). Gulf States Newsletter (GSN) (950). 4 July 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2014.
  6. ^ Simeon Kerr (26 June 2013). "Qatar's new emir replaces prime minister". Financial Times. Doha. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  7. ^ "Qatar's former PM loses role at wealth fund". Arabian Business. Reuters. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  8. ^ "Qatar's QNB names finance minister Emadi as board chairman". Reuters. Dubai. 7 July 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  9. ^ Clayton Swisher; Ryan Grim (2 March 2018). "Jared Kushner's Real-Estate Firm Sought Money Directly From Qatar Government Weeks Before Blockade". The Intercept. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  10. ^ "Qatar Attorney General orders arrest of Finance Minister". The Peninsula Qatar. 6 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Qatar National Bank removes ex finance minister from board after arrest". Reuters. Dubai. 25 May 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Qatar's ex-finance minister to face trial". Reuters. 19 March 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  13. ^ "Qatar charges ex-finance minister with bribery, embezzlement". Associated Press. 19 March 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
edit