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Access to aviation is a critical driver of global development, connection, and prosperity as it links markets and facilitates exports and imports, besides attracting investments.For many developing countries, air connectivity has opened doors to global value chains and tourism, which are major engines of growth.Globally, the aviation industry directly employs millions and indirectly supports many more in tourism, logistics, and manufacturing.And efficient air transport enhances trade and business ties between neighbouring nations and continents, promoting a balanced economic development.A global platform for universal access to air transport (by 2050) has been created following some recent landmark decisions by UN body - the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) - to support access to aviation for the benefit of all nations and people.This is the result of a series of decisions towards ensuring every nation has the physical and regulatory capacity to develop air connectivity.Building on commitments to ensure the environmental sustainability of the forecasted growth in air traffic, ICAO’s 42nd Assembly boosted its ‘No Country Left Behind’ strategic goal by delivering some 25 new aviation capacity development agreements for specific regional and country needs.This support for increased infrastructure capacity will additionally be supported by the Assembly’s expansion of the ‘TRAINAIR PLUS’ programme.Increased access to standardised training worldwide will mean ICAO can ensure that States are able to develop sufficient human resources to operate and develop their air transport sectors.Similarly, ICAO’s Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) and Gender Equality programmes received strengthened mandates to support aviation professionals of all ages and career stages.This will provide both a sufficient pool of qualified candidates for recruitment and equal access to the highly rewarding careers offered by air transport.The Assembly’s decisions also ensured that new and existing air services alike will progress towards accessibility for and by all.Aligning with the Doha Declaration, the ICAO member countries endorsed a comprehensive facilitation strategy prioritising resource allocation and political momentum.The global rollout of ICAO Digital Travel Credentials and biometric solutions, secured through an enhanced Public Key Directory framework, will make seamless travel a reality.New harmonised measures for crew treatment, unruly passenger management, and humanitarian response procedures were matched with strengthened accessibility standards for persons with disabilities and service animal transport.Importantly, the Assembly also addressed human rights and dignity in international aviation, with reinforced protections for accident victims and expanded co-operation against human trafficking.The economic viability of air transport and the optimisation of its contributions to broader prosperity was also a key focus for Assembly delegates. To support this objective, the Assembly made significant decisions.These included:• Encouraging air transport liberalisation through the Template Air Services Agreement (TASA), in support of preparations for negotiations the Seventh Worldwide Air Transport Conference to be held in 2026 and flexibility for varying levels of readiness.• The modernisation of airport slot practices to ensure policies remain equitable and responsive to public interest, while considering local infrastructure realities.• Affirmation of the ICAO principles preventing double taxation, in support of an economic framework that benefit all stakeholders,• Initiation of a review of ICAO's core principles on consumer protection, ensuring consistency while respecting national approaches.The Assembly also strengthened the legal foundations of international air transport to support and safeguard these developments. Expressing its support for the achievements of the Legal Committee's working groups and taskforces, the Assembly passed a new resolution commemorating the Chicago Convention's 80th anniversary to encourage stakeholder collaboration in developing international air law.It also emphasised the urgency of securing the outstanding ratifications to enact key aviation treaties, following significant progress at the Assembly’s “Third ICAO Treaty Event.”Through these decisions, the Assembly has provided the incoming ICAO Council with a clear and strong mandate to drive implementation of the ICAO Strategic Plan for 2050 worldwide, ensuring that the Organisation's vision of universal access becomes a reality through co-ordinated progress on infrastructure, accessibility, economic frameworks, and legal foundations.Clearly, access to aviation is access to opportunities — in areas such as wider economy, education, technology, healthcare, culture and humanitarian initiatives. By ensuring that all nations and people benefit from it, a more interconnected, equitable, and resilient world can be realised.Pratap John is Business Editor at Gulf Times. X handle: @PratapJohn.

India and Qatar are working towards concluding a free trade agreement (FTA), possibly by the third quarter of 2026, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said yesterday.He was replying to a question by Gulf Times at a session hosted by the Indian Business & Professional Council in Doha yesterday.India, a key trading partner of Qatar, recorded over $14.15bn in bilateral trade during financial year 2024–25.“By 2030, we can more than double it to $30bn, including goods and services,” Goyal noted.Goyal emphasised that 2025 will be a “defining year” in the partnership between the two countries.“With the visit of His Highness the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, to India in February, the partnership became a “strategic” one. This was followed by the visit of HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal al-Thani to India in August.“And now with my visit to Qatar, very clearly 2025 will be a defining year in this partnership,” Goyal noted.The Indian minister highlighted the amount of growth that is being seen, both in India and in Qatar.“India being the fastest growing large economy of the world and Qatar being amongst the prominent growing economies in the Middle East, there is a fabulous future waiting for all of us in the years to come,” Goyal said.He said the growth in bilateral trade will come from investments, both ways.“I think the growth will come out of services, goods, food products, technology, innovation, artificial intelligence and data centres that are coming up in the two countries.”Goyal highlighted the “rapid strides” made by the the Indian economy in recent years.“India is one of those countries, which offer some of the best returns on investments. And that has only been possible because the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strengthened India's macroeconomic fundamentals... has developed an economy, which is growing on both pillars of massive investments on infrastructure and consumption-led demand.”He noted that the rapid development in India’s infrastructure helps bring down logistics costs and make Indian industry more competitive. It generates the multiplier impact that investments always have on the economy, on the demand for goods and services, on mobility of people, better quality of life and ease of doing business.“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision is to make India a developed prosperous nation - ‘Vikasit Bharat’ - by 2047, when we celebrate 100 years of our independence. Our economy is poised to grow from $4tn today to $32tn by 2047.”He said India has now one of the “best performing” stock exchanges in the world.“If you recall, some 11 years ago, when Prime Minister Modi took charge, NIFTY 50 - an Indian stock market index - was at about 5,700 points. It has crossed 25,000 points now - a more than four-fold growth!“And despite all the turbulence... all the difficulties... all the uncertainties around the world, the Indian stock market is an oasis of stability. The Indian economy is powering the world economy, world growth,” Goyal said.He pointed out that India’s first quarter growth was at 7.8%.“Our exports in the first six months have grown by between 4% and 5%. It only goes to demonstrate the resilience of the Indian economy... the huge potential that is awaiting your participation. And I invite all of you to join us in India, in this journey of our growth and prosperity.”

QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, announced the license approval has been received for a digital-first banking entity, ezbank, from the Central Bank of Egypt.This milestone reflects the Group’s commitment to supporting the Central Bank of Egypt’s vision for financial inclusion and digital transformation, as well as the government’s broader economic development strategy. The license approval for ezbank is an important step in Egypt’s ongoing efforts to transform the banking sector. By securing the approval, ezbank positions itself at the forefront of this transformation, reflecting Egypt’s growing role as a hub for innovation and financial inclusion.ezbank will combine advanced digital technology with international best practices to offer seamless financial services to a broad customer base. The bank will use mobile-first platforms, AI-driven tools, and smart risk management to make transactions easier, increase access, and support Egypt’s digital economy.

QNB Group, one of the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, has posted a nine-month net profit of QR12.8bn, up 1% on the same period last year.Net profit before ‘Pillar Two Taxes’ reached QR13.9bn in nine months that ended on September 30, which is an increase of 9% compared to September 2024.Operating income increased by 9% to reach QR33.3bn, which reflects QNB Group’s “ability to maintain successful growth” across a range of revenue sources.Total assets (as on September 30, 2025) reached QR1,389bn, an increase of 9% on September 30, 2024, mainly driven by growth in loans and advances (by 11%) to reach QR1,001bn.Customer deposits increased by 6% to reach QR963bn (as on September 30, 2025) from the same period last year.QNB Group’s efficiency (cost to income) ratio stood at 23.3%, which is considered “one of the best ratios” among large financial institutions in the MEA region.The ratio of non-performing loans to gross loans stood at 2.9% (as on September 30, 2025), which is “one of the lowest” amongst financial institutions in the MEA region.This, QNB noted, reflects the “high quality” of the Group’s loan book and the effective management of credit risk.In addition, loan loss coverage ratio stood at 100%, which reflects the “prudent approach” adopted by QNB Group towards non-performing loans.Total equity (at the end of September this year) increased to QR121bn, up 7% on September 2024.Earnings per share reached QR1.31 in September this year.QNB Group’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) (as on September 30, 2025), amounted to 19.5%. Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) and Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR - as on September 30, 2025), amounted to 151% and 105% respectively.These ratios are higher than the regulatory minimum requirements of the QCB and Basel III reforms requirements.Group statistics: QNB Group’s presence spans some 28 countries across three continents operating from approximately 900 locations, over 5,000 ATMs supported by more than 31,000 staff.

Some 16 government entities will take part in the 3rd edition of the Annual Meeting of the State Procurement Programme 2026 from October 20 to 22, the organisers announced today.The event will be held under the slogan ‘One Vision, Multiple Opportunities’, officials of the Ministry of Finance, represented by the Government Procurement Regulatory Department and Qatar Development Bank, in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Qatar Chamber said at a media event at the Ministry of Finance.They said the 2026 Government Procurement Plan Forum is considered one of the most prominent events in the field of government procurement.This announcement comes following the success of the previous two editions, with last year's forum witnessing notable attendance, reflecting the active role the forum plays in strengthening communication and cooperation between the public and private sectors.The 2026 Government Procurement Plan Forum is considered a strategic platform aimed at enhancing collaboration between government entities and local companies, while providing an enabling environment for economic growth and technological development within the procurement sector.With participation from some 16 government entities, this year’s edition will feature a renewed set of focus areas.Workshops will explore key themes such as procurement policies and legislation, digital transformation, and company classification. In addition, updates related to the In-Country Value (ICV) framework for 2026 will be presented.Panel discussions will address issues including support for small and medium-sized enterprises, cost-saving opportunities, competitiveness enhancement, investment potential, promotion of local products.The Government Procurement Regulatory Department at the Ministry of Finance has invited all companies, entrepreneurs, and interested parties to take part in the third edition of the forum.The event offers a unique opportunity to gain direct insight into the government’s procurement plans for 2026 and to explore available opportunities for building future partnerships and participating competitively in the national procurement market.The previous edition of the forum attracted more than 2,000 participants from the local community, including entrepreneurs, investors, and representatives of companies of different sizes.Over 980 representatives from across the economic spectrum took part, contributing to the creation of an ideal environment for communication and partnership-building.The diversity of participation spanned several key sectors, including manufacturing, services, construction, construction technology, hospitality, and other industries.This broad and inclusive engagement reflects the forum’s growing importance as a national platform for reinforcing collaboration between the public and private sectors, while also empowering companies and advancing the national economy.

QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa , announced the successful refinancing of its $1.5bn unsecured syndicated term loan facility. QNB Group CEO Abdulla Mubarak al-Khalifa, commented:“This refinancing attracted the interest of global and regional banks and helped us further broaden our investor base. The issuance was substantially oversubscribed at very competitive all-in pricing, which despite challenging global markets demonstrates our standing as a high-quality issuer.” The $1.5bn facility, with a maturity of five years, was well supported by both regional and international banks with significant oversubscription. Global Coordinators of the facility were HSBC, DBS, and SCB, and Initial Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners were Mizuho, Barclays and JPM. HSBC was mandated as the Documentation Coordinator, DBS as Syndication Coordinator and Mizuho as Facility Agent.

QatarEnergy has entered into an agreement with Shell to acquire a 27% participating interest in the North Cleopatra block offshore Egypt.Under the terms of the agreement, which is subject to approval by the Egyptian government, Shell will retain a 36% participating interest as operator. The other participating interest holders are Chevron (27%) and Tharwa Petroleum Company (10%).Commenting on this agreement, HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida al-Kaabi,the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, said: “We are pleased to secure this additional exploration acreage, which further expands our upstream exploration activities in the Arab Republic of Egypt.”Minister al-Kaabi added, “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and our partners in the block for their valued support and cooperation. We look forward to working together and delivering our exploration objectives.”The North Cleopatra block is located offshore Egypt in the frontier Herodotus basin and is north and adjacent to the North El-Dabaa block, where QatarEnergy holds a 23% participating Interest. The North Cleopatra block covers an area of over 3,400 square kilometers in water depths of up to 2,600 meters.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has highlighted the GCC region’s “comparative advantage” in terms of access to energy that helps it host data centres and cites Qatar's partnership with Blue Owl Capital as an example.“GCC’s comparative advantage in terms of access to energy is helping it unlock major projects to host data centres. Examples include partnerships with Humain and Nvidia in Saudi Arabia, Blue Owl Capital in Qatar, or the US-UAE AI accelerated partnership,” Georgieva said in her meeting with the Ministers of Finance and Central Bank Governors of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) in Kuwait.Georgieva noted: “The last time we saw each other was during the Spring Meetings six months ago. At the time, trade tensions brought global uncertainty to new highs, contributing to a downward revision in our global growth projections.“Since then, a series of trade agreements and pauses in tariff increases have prevented escalation. Almost all countries subjected to US tariffs have refrained from retaliating. This, combined with the fact that the rest of trade relations among countries remain guided — so far — by WTO rules, allowed us to avoid a full-scale trade war.”In addition, she noted the private sector has shown “impressive” agility and adaptability, front-loading cross-border purchases, adjusting supply chains and pursuing investment strategies aligned with a more complex global environment.And access to finance has eased both for the public and the private sector. As a result global growth prospects are better than feared during our last meeting in April.Yet, they are still worse than pre-Covid and the world economy remains in flux. Major transformational forces are in play, from geopolitics to trade relations, technology and demography, producing new opportunities but also new risks.They steer anxiety in societies and complicate the job of policymakers. Navigating uncertainty is becoming the new normal.She said, “In this environment, risks to the global outlook remain tilted to the downside. Protectionism could lead to escalation of trade tensions, with negative impact on supply chains. Erosion of confidence could constrain consumption and investment. Shocks to labour supply, including from changing immigration policies, could lower growth, especially in countries with aging populations.”Georgieva said the outlook is not homogeneous — while some parts of the world are slowing down, others do better. Growth is expected to accelerate in the Middle East and Central Asia as global headwinds are offset by an increase in oil production, and structural reforms pay off.“As for the GCC, a year ago I said that the GCC ‘remains a bright spot’ despite the numerous shocks.”Since then, global uncertainty has increased, including related to shifts in the global trade system, while oil prices have declined and geopolitical tensions have intensified.“Yet, despite this increasingly challenging environment, the GCC continues to deliver strong and steady performance and is still a bright spot in the world economy. You, the finance ministers and central bank governors of the region, deserve credit for the strong reform momentum underlying this. It is making the GCC more resilient, as evidenced by limited spillovers from tensions and conflicts in the region,” Georgieva said.She noted the impact of higher US tariffs on GCC economies has been modest, with exports to the US ranging from just 0.1% of total exports for Kuwait and up to 8% for Bahrain.“Against this backdrop, we now expect overall GCC growth to accelerate to a 3-3.5% range in 2025 and close to 4% in 2026, supported by the resilience of the non-hydrocarbon economy, the unwinding of voluntary oil production cuts, and the expansion of natural gas production.”Over the medium term, non-hydrocarbon activity is set to remain strong on the back of ambitious reform efforts facilitated by ample policy buffers — both official reserves and those available through sovereign wealth funds. This activity is expected to offset the impact of lower oil prices.But there are risks to this outlook. Oil prices and revenues could be negatively affected by weaker oil demand, driven by elevated economic uncertainty, an escalation of global trade tensions, or deepening geo-economic fragmentation.Additionally, a potential supply glut may emerge as Opec+ continues to unwind voluntary oil production cuts at a time when demand remains weak.“In a downside scenario where oil prices temporarily fall to $40 per barrel, non-hydrocarbon GDP growth in the GCC could slow by 1.3 percentage points, while fiscal deficits could rise significantly. In addition, high global uncertainty could lead to tightening of financial conditions and lower FDI, thereby threatening the economic diversification agenda.“Over the medium term, the outlook remains subject to two-sided risks related to ongoing global structural shifts, such as the energy transition, potential global fragmentation, digitalisation and the use of AI,” Georgieva noted.

Qatar Airways is now providing access to 18 additional routes in the United States through expanded codeshares with its International Airlines Group (IAG) partners, Aer Lingus and LEVEL. With the latest enhancements, Qatar Airways has “strengthened its partnership” with IAG and its carriers to expand global connectivity between the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East. Following the successful codeshare launch with Aer Lingus in 2024, Qatar Airways has grown its partnership with Aer Lingus to share code on the Irish carrier’s flights from Dublin Airport (DUB) to 11 US cities, including Boston, Bradley International in Connecticut, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Nashville, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, and soon to Las Vegas.Additionally, Qatar Airways has re-introduced its codeshare agreement with LEVEL, the leading long-haul operator at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), to share code on LEVEL flights to Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Buenos Aires, and soon to Santiago.Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Thierry Antinori, said: “At Qatar Airways, we believe in offering passengers broader and greater choices to travel to their preferred destinations. Together with our International Airlines Group partners Aer Lingus and LEVEL complementing our existing partnerships, Qatar Airways is further setting a new standard for passenger convenience and global connectivity with 18 additional routes to the US and South America.“This strategic progress enhances Qatar Airways’ award-winning service in the Americas and Europe, and enables travellers in these regions to seamlessly access over 170 destinations in our global network through Hamad International Airport.”Aer Lingus Chief Customer Officer, Susanne Carberry, said: “Aer Lingus is delighted to partner with Qatar Airways to extend our services to its customers travelling to a number of top US destinations. Aer Lingus has significantly grown its North American network in recent years, with a number of routes flying on our brand-new Airbus A321 XLR aircraft. Customers flying with Aer Lingus to North America can also avail of Dublin Airport’s US Pre-Clearance facility, allowing them to conveniently clear US immigration before leaving Dublin and arrive in the US as domestic passengers. We look forward to welcoming new customers on board through our partnership with Qatar Airways and extending a very warm Irish welcome, the excellent service we are renowned for as well as the most comfortable and modern in-flight experience.” LEVEL Chief Commercial and Network Officer, Lucía Adrover, said: “We are delighted to re-introduce our partnership with Qatar Airways and to further expand our codeshare agreement, to continue contributing to the strengthening of Barcelona’s long-haul connectivity. LEVEL is linking the Middle East and Asia with the Americas via Barcelona, with its next-generation airline model designed to deliver a competitive, seamless, and welcoming travel experience.” Qatar Airways’ latest partnership enhancements are part of its codeshare portfolio with all IAG carriers, including British Airways, Iberia, LEVEL, and Vueling, solidifying its position in the European market.Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can make the most of this new opportunity to collect Avios on these codeshare flights with Aer Lingus and LEVEL. Members can use their Avios on travel and lifestyle rewards of their choice including bidding on “money-can’t-buy experiences” with Privilege Club Collection.

Despite economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, the global growth trend in air transport has shown no signs of abating.For instance, the October air passenger schedules indicate that airlines are planning 3.4% more capacity, globally.Air cargo volumes also continue to grow even as global trade patterns change. Air cargo has benefitted from a shift from sea for some high value goods as shippers try to minimise the risk of tariff changes, data released by International Air Transport Association (IATA) has shown.Total air passenger transport demand (in August), measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was up 4.6% compared to August 2024.Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 4.5% year-on-year. The August load factor was 86% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024), a record high for the month.International demand rose 6.6% compared to August 2024. Capacity was up 6.5% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.8% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024).Domestic demand increased 1.5% compared to August 2024. Capacity was up 1.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 86.3% (+0.1 ppt compared to August 2024).IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh noted: “August year-on-year demand growth of 4.6% confirms that the 2025 peak northern summer travel season reached a new record high. Moreover, planes were operating with more seats filled than ever with a record load factor of 86%.“Despite economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, the global growth trend shows no signs of abating, as October schedules are showing airlines planning 3.4% more capacity. Airlines are doing their best to meet travel demand by maximising efficiency, making it even more critical for the aerospace manufacturing sector to sort out its supply chain challenges.”Unpacking details vis-à-vis the air cargo segment, IATA said several factors in the operating environment should be noted,First, the global goods trade grew by 4% year-on-year in July.Second, jet fuel prices in August were 6.4% lower year-on-year, marking the fourteenth consecutive month of year-on-year declines.Also, global manufacturing in August showed rising optimism in manufacturing PMI, with a rebound to 51.75, the strongest reading since June 2024.Sentiment on new export orders, however, remains below 50 at 48.73, reflecting persistent caution amid tariff uncertainty.Trade lane growth indicate air freight volumes in August 2025 increased significantly across most major trade corridors. Europe–Asia and within Asia posted robust double-digit growth, while Middle East–Asia, North America-Europe, and Africa-Asia also saw notable gains.In contrast, Asia–North America, Middle East–Europe, and Within Europe recorded declines.Walsh added, “Air cargo demand grew 4.1% in August, marking the sixth consecutive month of year-on-year growth. Volumes continue to grow even as global trade patterns change. Air cargo has benefitted from a shift from sea for some high value goods as shippers try to minimise the risk of tariff changes.“And growth patterns indicate some being diverted away from North America, fuelling stronger growth for the Europe–Asia, Within Asia, Africa–Asia, and Middle East–Asia trade lanes. This adaptability is vital as shippers navigate the evolving landscape of US tariff policy,”Industry analysts say rising cargo volumes typically reflect growth in international trade, manufacturing, and supply chain demand.Passenger growth points to higher consumer confidence, business travel recovery, and robust tourism.Airlines are likely experiencing higher load factors (better capacity utilisation) and revenue gains, which could strengthen financial performance and stability.Increased passenger and cargo activity reflects restored international mobility, expansion of route networks, and better global connectivity between markets.Sustained improvements in both segments signal that stakeholders (governments, investors, airports, and logistics firms) see the industry on a stable growth trajectory, supporting investment and fleet expansion.As IATA data reveal, the improvement in both the air passenger and cargo segments suggests renewed economic momentum, stronger global trade, and growing travel demand—signs of resilience and confidence in the global air transport sector.Pratap John is Business Editor at Gulf Times. X handle: @PratapJohn.

AlRayan Bank announced that it has been awarded the National Information Assurance (NIA) Certification by the State of Qatar’s National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA). Achieved to a high standard within a short timeframe, this milestone reflects the bank’s sustained focus on strengthening information protection and cyber resilience in the face of rising global threats. The certification ceremony took place at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha.Unlike traditional security standards that sit mainly within IT, NIA is a strategic, Qatar-tailored assurance framework that integrates cybersecurity across the entire enterprise, governance, processes, and frontline business functions. For AlRayan Bank, the certification represents a major step forward in safeguarding information assets, elevating security practices across every department, and contributing to the State’s national information security strategy in line with international best practice. It also signals independent assurance of the Bank’s cybersecurity maturity, deeper protection for customers, staff, assets, and shareholders, greater confidence among partners, strengthened resilience against evolving cyber risks, support for compliance with national and global standards, and the continued cultivation of a pervasive, organisation-wide security culture.Commenting on the achievement, Omar al-Emadi, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer at AlRayan Bank, said: “We are proud to receive the NIA Certification, a clear reflection of AlRayan Bank’s relentless focus on information protection and cyber resilience. This is a pivotal step in our journey to safeguard information assets and embed robust security practices across the bank. It also affirms our active contribution to Qatar’s national information security strategy, in line with global best practice. Above all, it embodies our steadfast commitment to protecting our customers’ and partners’ data, strengthening our ability to anticipate and counter cyber risks, and ensuring greater resilience and secure business continuity.”Al-Emadi added that the Bank extends its appreciation to the National Cyber Security Agency for its leadership and guidance in enabling AlRayan Bank to meet the certification requirements. Building on this foundation, the bank will continue to deepen trust with customers and shareholders through credible, stable, and secure digital banking services, making AlRayan Bank their first choice.

QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, announced the license approval has been received for a digital-first banking entity- ezbank, from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) in cooperation with Ajlan & Bros Holding, with a capital of SR2.5bn.This milestone, in cooperation with Ajlan & Bros Holding, reflects a commitment to supporting QNB Group’s vision for financial inclusion and digital transformation, as well as the broader economic development strategy.With ezbank, the goal is to introduce a new model of customer-centric banking built around innovation, efficiency, and accessibility.The license approval for ezbank is an important step in QNB Group’s ongoing efforts to transform the banking sector in the markets in which it operates, across 28 countries in three continents.The entity aims to offer a digital-first banking experience that is simple, inclusive, and secure, and to provide innovative solutions for the youth and entrepreneurs.The bank will use mobile-first platforms, AI-driven tools, and smart risk management to make transactions easier, increase access, and support digital economy.

The Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Energy Awards for Lifetime Achievement will recognise six exceptional individuals at its 2025 edition at a high-profile ceremony in Doha on October 22.The awards honour global leaders for their outstanding lifetime contributions to the advancement of energy and sustainable development.Each honouree is carefully selected by an independent international committee of experts, ensuring that the Awards remain one of the most respected accolades in the industry.Previous winners of the award include His Excellency the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida al-Kaabi; the 69th United States Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson; the creator of the Dated Brent benchmark (now the world’s most important crude oil marker) John Kingston, and Professor Michael Grätzel, a pioneer of molecular photovoltaics who first demonstrated that mesoscopic photosystems based on molecular light harvesters can efficiently convert light into electricity.Speaking ahead of the event, His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, Chairman of Al-Attiyah Foundation said:“As with all previous winners, the 2025 honourees — who will be revealed on the night — represent the highest standards of leadership and innovation in energy. Their lifetime achievements are not only remarkable in scale but also in their lasting influence on the global energy community. I look forward to initiating them to our alumni in the coming weeks.”The awards ceremony will take place at the Sheraton Grand Hotel Resort and Convention Centre, gathering over 300 of the most influential figures in the energy industry.The evening is sponsored by ExxonMobil, underlining the strong support of leading energy companies.Al-Attiyah Foundation’s member organisations include some of the world’s most prestigious and significant companies. Members of the Foundation are: QatarEnergy, QatarEnergy LNG, Woqod, Shell, QNB, Qatar Electricity & Water Co., Q-Chem, QAPCO (Qatar Petrochemical Company), Dolphin Energy, QAFCO (Qatar Fertiliser Company), ConocoPhillips, Qatar Cool, Gulf Helicopters, Marubeni, Sasol and JTA Holding.

The Arab region’s renewable energy sector attracted some 360 FDI projects with investments of $351bn in 22 years up to 2024, a report by Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (Dhaman) has shown.This, the report noted, provided more than 83,000 jobs during the period from January 2003-December 2024.According to Dhaman, Qatar is among countries that lead investment and business attraction in power and energy.In its second report for 2025 on the Arab power and renewable energy sector, the Kuwait-based Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation noted five countries - Egypt, Morocco, the UAE, Mauritania and Jordan, made up approximately 69% of the number of projects (248 projects), around 83% of the Capex ($291bn), and 82% of the new jobs (approximately 68,000 jobs).It added that the top 10 companies investing in the power sector in each index accounted for around 25% of the number of implemented projects, 40% of Capex, and 38% of the total new jobs.Five Arab countries: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan and Egypt, invested in 90 inter-Arab renewable energy projects, accounting for roughly 25% of the sector’s foreign projects over 22 years. These projects were implemented with Capex of approximately $113bn, or more than 32% of the total Capex of the FDI projects in the sector, providing approximately 22,000 jobs.Based on Fitch Ratings’ assessment of investment and business risks and rewards in the electricity and energy sector in 14 Arab countries, by monitoring and measuring two main indicators, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman topped the Arab rankings as the best and most attractive Arab countries for investment in the power and energy sector in 2025. They were followed by Morocco, Egypt and Algeria respectively.Generated electricity in the Arab region (15 countries) is likely to surge by 4.2% to exceed 1,500 terawatt-hours by the end of 2025 and is even projected to keep rising to 1,754 terawatt-hours by 2030. Electricity generation is largely concentrated geographically, with five countries - Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Iraq and Algeria – making up 74% of the region’s total electricity generation by the end of 2025, it said. The report noted that electricity consumption in Arab countries is forecast to edge up by 3.5% to 1,296 terawatt-hours by the end of 2025, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Algeria and Kuwait accounting for 74% of the region’s total electricity consumption: around 958 terawatt-hours.It added that average per capita electricity generated in Arab countries is forecast to go up by 3.1% to 8.6 thousand kilowatt-hours by the end of 2025, amid forecasts of a hike to roughly 9.6 thousand kilowatt-hours by 2030.Arab foreign trade in power generation equipment and electric current shot up by 8% to approximately $39.2bn in 2024, with five countries – the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Iraq and Qatar – making up 81% of the total.This is the result of a surge in power generation equipment and electric current exports of Arab countries by 9% to roughly $7.6bn and its imports by 7.8% to more than $31.5bn in 2024. The list of the region’s top 10 exporting countries made up around 78% of total Arab electricity and power generation equipment imports, valued at $24.7bn.Turkiye topped the list as the region’s top electricity exporter, with a value of $446mn, while the United States came as the largest power generation equipment exporter, with a value of $6.6bn, according to the report.It noted that the list of the region’s top 10 importing countries represented 58% of total Arab electricity and power generation equipment exports worth $4.4bn. Libya topped the list as the region’s largest importer of electricity, with a value of $59mn, while France ranked as the region’s largest power generation equipment importer with a value of $593mn.

In a strategic move that underscores Qatar’s growing role in the global superyacht industry, Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Feadship, the world-renowned Dutch builder of custom superyachts, to explore collaboration in marine infrastructure, design, and sector engagement.The MoU, signed during the 34th Monaco Yacht Show, reflects a shared vision to develop “Marsa” Port at Umm Alhoul Free Zone into a premier superyacht destination in the Gulf, fostering excellence across maintenance, refit, provisioning, and owner experiences. The MoU was formalized by Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal al-Thani, CEO of QFZ, and Bas Nederpelt, Chief Commercial Officer of Feadship.Under the MoU, Feadship will provide advisory support to QFZ’s leadership on the development of world-class maintenance, repair, and refit (MRR) facilities, while also contributing to broader initiatives to enhance Qatar’s role in custom yacht design and luxury maritime innovation.Sheikh Mohammed stated: “Qatar is becoming a global hub for the superyacht community, driven by world-class infrastructure and a market forecast to grow 7.4% annually through 2030. With the highest ownership per capita in the region, our partnership with Feadship advances our ambition to make Marsa the Gulf’s leading superyacht destination - creating lasting value for investors, owners, and the maritime sector.”Beyond port infrastructure, the collaboration opens new avenues for global engagement through high-level events, knowledge sharing, and owner experiences that will draw international attention to Qatar’s evolving marine sector.Nederpelt said: “Feadship welcomes the opportunity to explore this collaboration with QFZ. We recognize Qatar’s ambition to develop Marsa Port as a destination for the superyacht community and are pleased to contribute in an advisory capacity as part of this exploratory partnership. This MoU reflects our shared commitment to knowledge exchange and dialogue, ensuring that any future steps are aligned with the highest standards of our industry.”This partnership is part of QFZ’s broader strategy to create a future-focused, sustainable marine cluster that attracts leading global players, enhances the Gulf region’s luxury offerings, and places Qatar firmly on the global superyacht map.

Qatar Airways has been awarded the ACT Middle East Treasury Award for capital raising for its landmark QR4.5bn QNB-led dual-tranche syndicated facility and supported by a consortium of local banks. “The milestone transaction marks one of the largest aviation finance deals of its kind in the region, reinforcing the airline’s financial strength and resilience.“The achievement underscores Qatar Airways’ prudent financial strategy, strong relationships with Qatar’s world-class banking sector, and its ability to successfully navigate complex financing structures to supportlong-term sustainable growth.” QNB, as the leading financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, played a pivotal role in structuring and leading the capital raising, leveraging its expertise and strong relationships with local banks. The transaction underscores QNB’s ability to deliver innovative financial solutions that support Qatar’s flagship companies in achieving sustainable growth and global competitiveness.The ACT Middle East Treasury Awards recognise outstanding achievements in corporate treasury across the region, celebrating excellence in financial management. The accolade highlights Qatar Airways’ commitment to the highest standards of financial management and the strategic role of the airline in strengthening Qatar’s economic resilience.Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Badr Mohammed al-Meer, said: “We are delighted to receive the ACT Middle East Treasury award for our landmark capital raising agreement with local banks led by QNB for QR4.5bn. The landmark financing deal, achieved with the leadership of QNB and the support of our local banks, reflects the strength of our partnership and commitment to financial excellence and is fully in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. It is not only an achievement for the airline, but also a testament to Qatar’s world-class banking sector.”QNB Group Chief Executive Officer, Abdulla Mubarak al-Khalifa, said: “We are proud to have supported Qatar Airways in this landmark transaction, which reflects the strength of Qatar’s financial sector and its ability to deliver innovative financing solutions. This achievement not only reinforces the airline’s global position but also demonstrates our commitment to advancing Qatar’s economic resilience and long-termsustainable growth in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.”Qatar Airways continues to be a leader in both aviation and finance, ensuring the airline remains well-positioned to expand its network, invest in new aircraft, and deliver the five-star service for which it is globally renowned. The national carrier also aims to stimulate greater collaboration between the aviation and the banking sector, paving the way for innovative financial structures tailored to the airline’s evolving needs while promoting national economic resilience.

Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council, in collaboration with Qatar Airways, completed the 9th edition of the Corporate Innovation Leaders (CIL) training, the first-ever edition hosted exclusively for Qatar Airways employees.This four-day event took place at the Education City Golf Club, bringing together executives, strategists, and innovators under one roof to explore new frontiers in corporate innovation.As a key platform for thought leadership and collaboration, the CIL training is designed to create a dynamic network where corporate leaders can share insights, exchange best practices, and address the challenges of innovation within Qatar’s rapidly evolving business landscape.Now in its ninth iteration, the training plays an important role in promoting a culture of creativity and adaptability across local organisations, ensuring long-term competitiveness and resilience in the national economy.This year’s training marks a significant milestone as QRDI Council partners with Qatar Airways for a dedicated, employee-focused edition, a strategic move that underscores the growing importance of innovation at all levels of the organisation.The event concluded with a keynote address by guest speaker Stephanie Melodia, CEO of Bloom Ltd, from the United Kingdom, who shared her insights on innovation, leadership, and transformation in global markets.By empowering corporate leaders and employees with the tools, knowledge, and mindset needed to drive innovation, the CIL training directly supports the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly in fostering a knowledge-based economy.Through strategic collaboration, capacity-building, and the promotion of a culture of innovation, the training continues to contribute to the human, economic, and social development pillars of the national vision, helping to position Qatar as a hub for creativity, technological advancement, and sustainable growth on the global stage.

Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the country’s sovereign wealth fund, and Blue Owl Capital have entered into a Strategic Partnership Agreement with the objective of creating a digital infrastructure platform intended to accelerate global compute available to leading hyperscalers amid surging cloud and AI transformation.QIA’s contribution to the partnership is expected to help launch a digital infrastructure platform with more than $3bn of initial data center assets and is expected to grow over time.In addition, QIA brings to the partnership a global investment perspective, a long-term capital base, and a deep experience in infrastructure and technology sectors aligning with Blue Owl’s permanent capital strategy.Mohammed Saif al-Sowaidi, CEO, QIA said: “We are pleased to partner with Blue Owl in this transformational digital infrastructure platform. This partnership aligns with QIA’s strategy to engage with leading global firms that are addressing the world’s growing demand for data centers.“QIA and Blue Owl are committed to scaling digital infrastructure that will meet the growing demand for data storage and computation requirements globally, with a particular focus on increasing data connectivity.”Doug Ostrover and Marc Lipschultz, Co-CEOs of Blue Owl said: “We are honoured to partner with Qatar Investment Authority in advancing the global data center ecosystem. QIA’s commitment to innovation aligns seamlessly with our strategy to provide financing solutions to large-scale, resilient, digital infrastructure portfolios.“Together, we aim to meet the surging demand for data connectivity and power the next generation of digital transformation."Blue Owl’s Digital Infrastructure strategy is part of Blue Owl’s Real Assets platform and is focused exclusively on investing in the mission-critical assets powering cloud and AI innovation.“As of June 30, 2025, the strategy has raised $39bn of capital, investing in 104 facilities across 28 global markets.”Qatar Investment Authority was founded in 2005 to invest and manage the state reserve funds. QIA is among the largest and most active sovereign wealth funds globally.QIA invests across a wide range of asset classes and regions as well as in partnership with leading institutions around the world to build a global and diversified investment portfolio.With over $284bn in assets under management as of June 30, Blue Owl invests across three multi-strategy platforms: Credit, Real Assets and GP Strategic Capital.Anchored by a strong permanent capital base, Blue Owl provides businesses with private capital solutions to drive long-term growth and offer institutional investors, individual investors, and insurance companies differentiated alternative investment opportunities that aim to deliver strong performance, risk-adjusted returns, and capital preservation.