NYSE Euronext said Friday that it has invested $200m (€143m) in a rebranded stock exchange in Qatar, a move that gives NYSE Euronext a foothold in a energy-rich Persian Gulf nation that is trying to bill itself as a regional economic centre for the Middle East market.

NYSE Euronext and Qatar Holding, the investment arm of the Qatar Investment Authority, said their partnership will give rise to Qatar Exchange, the successor of the Doha Securities Market.