Qatar’s New Banknotes – Art, Progress and Technology Brought Together

The Qatar Central Bank formally launched its 5th Series of banknotes on Qatar National Day, 18 December 2020, replacing the 4th Series that was issued in 2003. The Qatar Central Bank wished to modernise the banknotes and to incorporate the latest security features. The new series, designed by De La Rue in close co-operation with the Qatar Central Bank, has achieved this whilst maintaining a thematic link to previous designs.

Qatar has the third highest GDP per capita in the world, the third largest natural gas and oil reserves and ranks third in the regional HDI (Human Development Index). Whilst the country’s wealth has been built on oil and gas, Qatar is positioning itself as an international trade and transport hub, while investment in renewable resources is a major goal for the country over the next two decades. Banknotes are a key component of Qatar’s economic development.