Business
QDB records exceptional year in empowering Qatar's private sector
Qatar Development Bank (QDB) announced its key achievements for 2025, reporting strong growth across its core business areas.
The results highlight significant growth in direct and indirect financing, expanded investment activity, enhanced support for exporters, as well as the success of various initiatives and programmes aimed at empowering the private sector and strengthening the national business and innovation ecosystem.
In a statement, QDB reported a 5% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase in total financing commitments to more than 630 companies, bringing the bank’s total portfolio to QR7.3bn. This included QR2bn in direct capital disbursements in 2025, marking a 30% y-o-y increase. QDB’s financing for Qatar-based companies was delivered through a range of support programs aimed at developing strategic sectors and fostering entrepreneurship and SMEs, contributing positively to the performance of the Qatari economy.
QDB also provided short-term funding of nearly QR650mn to more than 600 companies at zero profit rates to finance the working capital of Qatari companies that previously benefited from the National Response Guarantee Programme.
During the past year, QDB announced the launch of the National Funding Gate (TAMKEEN), the first initiative of its kind in Qatar to unify the business financing application process and connect the private sector with the national financing and development ecosystem.
The bank also launched the expanded brand identity of Scale7, the Creative and Cultural Industries Hub, and announced the first-of-its-kind Mergers and Acquisitions Programme. In addition, QDB launched a FinTech Development Grant and enhanced the Startup Qatar Investment Programme by raising the funding limit for companies in the start stage to QR4mn and in the expansion stage to QR20mn. The programme received more than 5,000 applications from over 65 countries and provided investments exceeding QR138mn to more than 35 local and international companies.
QDB CEO Abdulrahman bin Hesham al-Sowaidi said: "2025 marked the first year of the bank’s updated 2025–2030 strategy, developed in line with the Third National Development Strategy and the Third Financial Sector Strategic Plan.
"The momentum of achievement has been strong, as reflected in this year’s performance indicators. These results demonstrate growing demand and the increasing maturity of the private sector, which has assumed a central role in Qatar’s economic landscape.”
During the year, nearly 2,100 companies benefited from QDB’s financial and advisory services across various stages of development. A total of 133 companies joined incubation and acceleration programmes, while over 3,100 beneficiaries, including startups, SMEs, entrepreneurs, and professionals, received specialised training through workshops and capability-building programmes.
In the area of export support, QDB, through its export arm Qatar Exports, achieved notable results. The total value of exports supported by QDB reached QR2.85bn, representing a 15% y-o-y increase. Beneficiary companies expanded into 138 global markets and received export financing totalling QR778mn, representing an 18% y-o-y growth. Overall, more than 425 companies were supported at different stages of their export journey.
The bank continued to activate export support programmes, including the Internationalisation Financing Scheme, the Overseas Contract Financing Programme, and the Buyer’s Credit Programme. QDB also successfully signed its first memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia’s National Debt Management Centre, under which the bank will provide credit facilities valued at over QR3.6bn to Saudi institutions. This initiative aims to enable Qatari exporters of services and products to access major projects in the Kingdom, contributing to significant growth in the volume of Qatari exports.
Qatar Exports participated in 21 international exhibitions and promotional events, and delivered 157 workshops and training sessions to enhance export capabilities. The bank also facilitated matchmaking events between Qatari exporters and international importers, resulting in booked export orders exceeding QR7.5bn, representing an exceptional 341% y-o-y increase. Qatar Exports also opened its first regional office in Saudi Arabia.
QDB’s investment arm continued to support high-potential local and international startups seeking to establish or expand operations in Qatar. The investment portfolio grew by 16% y-o-y, reaching over QR350mn in direct and indirect investment commitments. The year 2025 recorded exceptional growth of approximately 42% in deployed investments, and the bank invested in more than 60 promising startups offering innovative solutions and operating in the Qatari market and several global markets.
In parallel, the bank supported the development of the investment ecosystem by providing training to 75 angel and venture capital investors, bringing the total number of qualified and accredited investors to over 215 investors, enhancing their integration into Qatar’s venture capital sector.
As part of its strategy to empower the private sector in the venture capital sector, the bank continued its efforts to establish partnerships and attract global accelerators and investment funds, including A-typical Ventures, through the establishment of the first Studio for startup development alongside a joint investment fund. The bank also partnered with the New York-based Cure accelerator by Deerfield Management, one of the leading investment funds in the health technology and biomedical sector. The Deerfield Middle East Health Accelerator aims to enhance innovation in the health technology sector in collaboration between New York and Doha. These initiatives and partnerships affirm Qatar’s leading position in the investment sector and enhance its position as an attractive regional and global business hub.
The bank also advanced its localisation efforts, facilitating more than 445 deals between SMEs and local entities, with contract values exceeding QR2bn. In the manufacturing sector, QDB supported 64 manufacturers through Jahez 1, Jahez 2, and other facilities. Additionally, more than 128 manufacturers received training in lean production, manufacturing, operational efficiency, advanced manufacturing, and digital transformation services and programmes.
QDB also published 29 external reports, studies, and research papers to support informed decision-making among businesses, entrepreneurs, and investors.
Qatar Exports produced 138 market reports and country assessments, providing business owners with in-depth insights into global markets, economic indicators and business environments.
Furthermore, the bank delivered Smart Industrial Readiness Index (SIRI) assessments, digital readiness assessments, and digital transformation programs, enabling more than 185 companies and factories to enhance their readiness to adopt digital solutions and keep pace with global technological changes.
In the housing sector, QDB disbursed housing financing exceeding QR1bn. The bank also successfully registered more than 350 companies and contractors on the national Binaa platform, following the launch of its second phase early last year. The platform offers integrated services for housing loan beneficiaries, including access to a range of modern housing designs provided free of charge.
QDB continues to empower Qatar-based companies and provide support for the development of the business and innovation ecosystem, supporting economic diversification and promoting sustainable growth.