The Qatar Financial Center (QFC) has granted affiliation to the Institute of Internal Auditors Qatar (IIA Qatar) as a non-profit company limited by guarantee under the companies’ regulations in Qatar.
According to an IIA Qatar statement, the institute has been issued a licence to carry out activities, providing professional services pursuant to the Qatar Financial Center Authority (QFCA) regulations.  QFCA chief commercial officer Raed al-Emadi formally handed over the licence to Hassan al-Mulla, president of the IIA Qatar, at a recent function, according to a statement.
MD Yunus Atip, director, licensing, QFC, was present along with his colleagues Arabab Zafar, Abdul Rasheed, while the IIA was represented by Rajeswar Sundaresan, Christian Adonis, Naveed Khan and Don Felix.
Andrew North, CEO of Protiviti, a QFC Systems Service Processor, who partnered with the IIA was also in attendance.  
The IIA Global has extended support to the legal registration process of the local chapter. The IIA, an international professional association established in 1941, is based in Florida, US.
With its global network of 180,000 members in nearly 170 countries from all industries and sectors, the IIA is recognised throughout the world as the internal audit profession’s global voice and recognised authority in certification, education, research, and technical guidance.
“As per the Master Relations Agreement with the IIA, the chapter is expected to perform relevant activities to serving members and foster the development of internal auditing activities in Qatar,” IIA Qatar spokesperson Sundaresan said, adding that the licence will facilitate accelerating training and learning activities.
The new entity registered with the QFC is set to launch various kinds of programmes in the coming months, starting with a full-day training programme on enterprise risk management (ERM) and an evening session on “Innovation” in November and another event with IIA Global president & CEO Richard Chambers in December.  A session on soft skills and coaching for Certified Internal Audit Examinations during the same period is also planned.