Fitch Ratings agency has upgraded Wednesday the Long-term Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) of Commercial Bank of Qatar (CBQ), Doha Bank (DB), Qatar Islamic Bank's (QIB), Al Khalij Commercial Bank (al khaliji) Q.S.C. (AKB), Qatar International Islamic Bank's (QIIB) and Ahli Bank QSC's (ABQ) to 'A+' from 'A'.

The global ratings agency also upgraded Qatar National Bank's (QNB) Long-term IDR to 'AA-' from 'A+' and its Short-term IDR to 'F1+' from 'F1'. The Outlooks on all the Long-term IDRs are Stable.

“The Qatari banking sector is healthy. Local banks are highly capitalised and asset quality is solid with non-performing loans at less than 2% of total loans. Credit growth has slowed as the government has moved to directly financing projects from intermediating via banks. There is a demonstrated strong government commitment to its banks and key public-sector companies,” said the ratings agency.

Fitch upgraded Doha Bank’s Long Term IDR to 'A+' from 'A', with Stable Outlook. The bank’s Short Term IDR was affirmed at 'F1', while the Viability Rating was unaffected at 'bbb'.

Doha Finance Limited’s EMTN Programme Senior unsecured notes was upgraded to 'A+'/ 'affirmed F1'.

Qatar International Islamic Bank’s Long Term IDR was upgraded to 'A+' from 'A', Outlook Stable. Meanwhile, the bank’s Short Term IDR was affirmed at 'F1', and Viability Rating was unaffected at 'bb+'.

Al Khalij Commercial Bank’s Long Term IDR was upgraded to 'A+' from 'A', Outlook Stable.

Ahli Bank’s Long Term IDR was upgraded to 'A+' from 'A', with Stable Outlook. The bank’s Short Term IDR was affirmed at 'F1'. Viability Rating was unaffected at 'bbb-'.