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Qatar’s investments in autonomous networks are essential for the country’s 2030 vision and future growth, according to Raghav Sahgal, president of Cloud and Network Services at Nokia.Speaking to Gulf Times in an exclusive interview, Sahgal highlighted the “impressive progress” Qatar is making in building advanced networks, placing its operators among the global leaders in network quality and speed.He emphasised that as the country “moves towards 2030 and beyond,” with the advent of technologies like 6G, networks will become more intelligent. According to Sahgal, networks that can “sense, think, and act” autonomously, which he pointed out as “crucial for the increasing digital transformation of industries, not just for consumers and businesses.”He noted that Qatar’s vision for a digital society, where enterprises thrive, relies on creating an environment that fosters high productivity to attract investment and develop new industries.Sahgal underscored the vital role played by communication in today’s digital future, saying that while cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) are important, “connectivity is what brings them together.”He said, “Nokia aims to bridge the world of cloud and AI through the networks they are building, especially as future networks evolve to autonomously sense, think, and act. These advanced networks will be able to serve the needs of various industries, businesses, consumers, and application developers.”Sahgal views the country’s current investments in autonomous networks as a “vital cog” in realising Qatar National Vision 2030, acknowledging the Gulf nation’s ongoing local investments in cloud and AI. But he was also quick to stress the importance of linking them all together through communication networks, noting that he finds Qatar’s commitment to building these autonomous networks “spot-on” with its overall vision.When asked about his message to Qatari businesses, Sahgal underscored that communication is the fundamental building block of digitalisation. He believes that anything that helps foster the development and innovation of communication networks will benefit any country.He likened communication, particularly mobile connectivity, to critical infrastructure, an area where innovation must flourish. Sahgal affirmed that Nokia’s primary goal is to provide innovative solutions to its customers, such as operators like Vodafone Qatar, to help the company achieve its vision of building world-class networks.

Vodafone Qatar’s latest partnership with Nokia marks a significant step towards deploying emerging technologies as a part of its commitment to driving digital transformation in the country, according to chief technology officer, Ramy Boctor.“Vodafone Qatar and Nokia have developed a plan for a nationwide network infrastructure modernisation to enhance our network capabilities and ultimately lead to the deployment of advanced 5G services in Qatar.“What this means for business and consumers is that Vodafone Qatar will be able to deliver faster, more efficient, and more secure telecommunications services,” Boctor told Gulf Times in an exclusive interview.Only recently, Vodafone Qatar announced an agreement with Nokia to lead a nationwide network modernisation that will enable it to deliver faster, more secure, and highly adaptable 5G services to consumers and businesses across Qatar, while preparing for next-generation innovations.Citing the rapid evolution of the digitalisation and telecommunications market, Boctor noted that the company is anticipating “immense growth in the coming years,” noting that Qatar’s ICT sector is projected to grow at an annual rate of “8.5%” through 2030.“With this in mind, flexibility is paramount, and Vodafone Qatar has made it a primary goal of its nationwide infrastructure modernisation to develop highly adaptable 5G services for consumers and businesses across Qatar, while also preparing for next-generation innovations. Our vision is to both provide the best services possible while simultaneously allowing room for upcoming developments and innovations in 5G connectivity,” he explained.Boctor further pointed out that another primary focus of this transformation is boosting Vodafone’s broadband network capabilities. With increasing demand for high-speed, reliable internet across homes and enterprises, he said Vodafone Qatar’s infrastructure upgrades will enable it to deliver “fast broadband with higher capacity and coverage than ever before.”He said, “Crucially, this modernisation effort will also introduce automation and orchestration across the network, leveraging advanced AI capabilities. These technologies will not only enhance operational effectiveness and significantly reduce time to market, but also open the door for broader innovation beyond traditional telecom services.“From smart cities and IoT ecosystems to enterprise-level solutions, Vodafone Qatar’s network will serve as a dynamic platform for innovation, enabling the country’s digital future.”Speaking to Gulf Times earlier, Raghav Sahgal, president of Cloud and Network Services at Nokia, spoke about how the company’s digital operations software could play a vital role in Vodafone Qatar’s journey towards fully autonomous networks and how AI-driven assurance and 5G slicing automation improve service delivery.5G provides the ability to deliver much higher performance and deterministic performance, noted Sahgal, adding that “if you want a certain amount of bandwidth guaranteed without fluctuation, you can deliver a slice of a network to that enterprise or the consumer.”On AI-driven network assurance, Sahgal explained that “assurance is about making sure that if there are faults in the network, you’re able to redirect traffic or whatever it is to ensure that services continue for customers.”“Digital operations play a strong role in making sure that what the customer wants is created for them and delivered based on their requirements, rather than just providing predefined services,” said Sahgal, citing 5G slicing automation.

Rwanda is looking to Qatar to attract investments through a range of sports-related initiatives, an embassy official has stated, citing Kigali as a regional hub for conferences, sports, tourism, and innovation.Speaking at a recent networking event in Doha, Jean Claude Ngarambe, first secretary at the embassy of Rwanda in Qatar, lauded the Gulf nation’s “strong diplomatic ties” with his country and the “shared vision for sports as a transformative power.”According to Ngarambe, Qatar’s successful hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup has shown the world what is possible when sports is embraced not only as a form of competition, but as a national development strategy.“Through strategic investment, infrastructure, and global events, Qatar has become a beacon of what sport can achieve in the 21st century,” Ngarambe emphasised during the event, which explored opportunities to be presented at the ‘SportsBiz Africa Forum 2025’ (SBA2025), scheduled on September 9-10 in Kigali.During his speech, Ngarambe also highlighted Rwanda’s shared conviction that fostering sports and other related activities is “a powerful lever for youth development, for innovation, for socio-economic progress.”He explained that SBA2025 aims to unlock Africa’s potential in the global sports economy, noting that Africa's sports industry currently contributes only “0.5%” to the continent's GDP, far below the global average of “2%.”Despite this, Ngarambe emphasised that “the potential is vast,” with estimates suggesting that “every $1 invested in sport can yield up to $124 in economic value” due to the interconnected ecosystem of media, tourism, event management, infrastructure, technology, and talent developmentReferring to Rwanda, Ngarambe mentioned the country's reputation as a business-friendly partner with a strong legal framework, transparent governance, and efficient infrastructure, positioning Kigali as a regional hub for conferences, sports, tourism, and innovation.He reiterated that key features of SBA2025 will include a policymaker’s roundtable to create a continent-wide approach to industry growth and a deal room connecting investors with viable ventures.Ngarambe called on stakeholders from Qatar who participated in the networking event to join in Kigali and partner in building a sector that can “uplift communities, create jobs, and define Africa's future on its own terms.”He expressed hope that “as Rwanda and Qatar depend on our collaboration, let us work together to make the sports industry a shared success story for our economies, our youth, our continents”.Organised by Rwanda Events, in partnership with the Rwanda Convention Bureau, the networking event aimed to foster partnerships, promote investment opportunities, and share insights on the latest advancements in these interrelated fields during SBA2025.Christian Gakwaya, CEO of Rwanda Events, also underscored Qatar’s significant contributions to the global sports industry and its potential to collaborate on the upcoming forum.Gakwaya explained SportsBiz Africa as an initiative that began in Rwanda last year, built on four pillars: SportsBiz Africa Capital, a “$350mn” fund aiming to close at “$120mn” by September; SportsBiz Academy, focused on educating and training African talents for the global sports ecosystem; Sports Connect, a platform linking African talents with employment in the sports sector; and the SportsBiz Africa Forum, an annual two-day event.He also extended an invitation to attend the forum in September, highlighting its “deal room” for investment opportunities and a roundtable for 20-25 African sports ministers and ecosystem partners.

Google Cloud’s strategy in Qatar is fundamentally aligned with and designed to support the Qatar National Vision 2030, according to Ghassan Kosta, regional general manager, Google Cloud Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Iraq.Kosta said the tech giant’s strategic investments, notably the Doha cloud region and Google Cloud’s Centre of Excellence, “are tangible commitments to empowering the nation’s digital future.”According to Kosta, these investments directly contribute by accelerating digital transformation, driving economic diversification, and fostering a skilled workforce.“We provide the cutting-edge infrastructure and a comprehensive suite of AI, data analytics, and machine learning tools that enable government entities and private enterprises to modernise their operations, enhance service delivery, and become truly data-driven. This is core to achieving the digital transformation goals outlined in Qatar National Vision 2030,” Kosta told Gulf Times in an exclusive interview.By making advanced cloud technologies accessible, he said, Google Cloud is helping to foster a vibrant digital ecosystem. This supports the growth of new, knowledge-based industries, nurtures innovation, and empowers entrepreneurship beyond traditional sectors, he pointed out.“Google Cloud acts as a catalyst for developing a diversified economy, a key objective of the 2030 vision. Our platform enables businesses of all sizes to innovate, scale, and compete globally, contributing to sustainable economic development,” he said.He also said: “Through our Centre of Excellence and various training programmes, we are committed to building local digital talent, which is crucial for the human development pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and ensures that the country can sustain its digital momentum.“In essence, Google Cloud provides the ‘new way to the cloud’, offering an integrated AI stack and powerful tools that are crucial for Qatar to achieve its ambitions of becoming a leading digital economy and a hub for innovation.”Kosta was recently in Qatar for the ‘Google Cloud Summit Doha’, which celebrated the tech giant’s second anniversary of cloud innovation in the region. The event also highlighted Qatar’s bold vision for a rapidly evolving digital future, powered by cutting-edge AI and cloud technologies.Kosta underscored the impact of the Google Cloud project and how it significantly benefited local industries and key segments of the Qatari population, saying, “Over the past two years, we’ve seen incredible adoption and innovation leveraging our Doha cloud region. A particularly impactful example is our collaboration with Qatar University and their exploration of NotebookLM, our AI-powered research and writing assistant.”Kosta said: “This initiative significantly benefits the education sector and the student population by providing a powerful tool that can help streamline research, synthesise information, and generate new insights from large volumes of documents. For students and researchers, this means enhanced learning capabilities, more efficient study processes, and the potential to produce higher-quality academic work.”He added: “It democratises access to advanced AI tools for academic exploration, fostering a new generation of researchers and innovators in Qatar. This project directly supports the human development goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 by equipping the next generation with cutting-edge AI skills and tools, ultimately contributing to a more knowledgeable and innovative society.”

The Canadian-Qatari Business Forum (CQBF) is embarking on an ambitious drive to significantly enhance economic and strategic ties between Canada and Qatar, positioning the Gulf nation as a key gateway for Canadian investment in the region.CQBF Executive Director Yasser Dhouib underscored this objective during a recent visit to Doha, emphasising that his primary goal was “creating an outreach” for the forum by meeting with leading public and private sector players in the country.He noted that the initiative builds on growing bilateral relations, stating, “the momentum has been created by the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to Canada in September last year.”Dhouib described the relationship between the two nations as “flourishing, blossoming, and driven by geo-strategic factors.”“Canada is much more interested in cementing its footprint in the region by using Qatar as a gateway, and by maximising the opportunities Qatar is offering,” Dhouib explained, adding that “the CQBF is aiming to get Canadian companies to invest and establish their offices here.”The CQBF executive also highlighted Canada’s significant contributions to potential partnerships, saying, “Canada has many initiatives and investment opportunities to make this partnership flourish.”He said: “Canada is one of the important nations at the forefront of health technology, artificial intelligence, education, and clean tech, among other sectors; the Canadian ecosystem is amazing and has a lot to offer its international partners.”While acknowledging the existing political willingness from both countries, Dhouib stressed the necessity for active engagement from the Canadian private sector.“We need Canadian companies, businessmen, and the business community in Canada to come to Qatar and recognise that it is an amazing country that offers numerous opportunities for business,” he pointed out.During his visit to Doha, Dhouib said he held meetings with key Qatari institutions, including the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) and Qatar Development Bank (QDB), as well as other leading companies, to explore ways to actively forge future partnerships.He explained that the Canada-Qatar Business Forum (CQBF) aims to establish a strong presence within Qatar’s business community. “We have a team in Canada, but we truly want to build a team in Qatar that is rooted in the local business community. Our goal is to increase membership within the CQBF,” he noted.Dhouib also commended the instrumental support from both nations’ diplomatic missions, saying, the ambassadors of both countries “have played an enormous role.” He added that his recent visit was “conclusive,” having established “important layers for a more constructive approach” in bolstering the Canada-Qatar strategic partnership.

The Google Cloud Summit Doha, which celebrated the tech giant’s second anniversary of local region, shone the spotlight on Qatar’s bold vision for a rapidly evolving digital future, powered by cutting-edge AI and cloud technologies.Held under the patronage of HE the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed al-Mannai, Thursday’s celebration gathered over 1,500 industry leaders, developers, and IT professionals.The summit marks two years of the Google Cloud Doha region empowering local innovation and is set to explore the latest advancements in AI, data analytics, and cloud technologies.The event featured significant discussions and announcements on strategic collaborations, including key developments with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) aimed at advancing Qatar’s digital transformation journey.The summit showcased the vibrant tech ecosystem in Qatar and Google Cloud’s commitment to it. Attendees experienced keynotes from Google Cloud executives and Qatari leaders, gained insights into transformative AI technologies like Gemini, AI Agents, and NotebookLM, heard compelling customer success stories, and participated in deep-dive sessions on data management and cybersecurity. This ongoing partnership with Qatar is poised to play a vital role in building a resilient, secure, and digitally advanced ecosystem in the nation.Sami al-Shammari, Assistant Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Operations Affairs at MCIT, said: “Our collaboration with Google Cloud has served as a key enabler in Qatar’s journey toward a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy.“Since the launch of the Doha cloud region two years ago, this collaboration has yielded tangible outcomes that directly support the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly in enhancing digital infrastructure, delivering scalable and secure government services, and building a future-ready digital workforce.”Al-Shammari also said, “By providing access to cutting-edge cloud technologies, Google Cloud is empowering entities alike to innovate, improve service delivery, and accelerate progress across key sectors.“Their contributions in areas such as artificial intelligence and data analytics are also playing a pivotal role in developing local digital talent and equipping our workforce with the skills needed for tomorrow’s challenges.”He added: “We are eager to continue this productive partnership, further solidifying Qatar’s digital future and working in tandem to realise the ambitious goals of the Digital Agenda 2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030.”Ghassan Kosta, regional general manager, Google Cloud Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Iraq, said: “Today’s Google Cloud Summit in Doha marks a truly pivotal moment in our Qatari journey, celebrating two years of our local cloud region and our strong partnerships. “We are deeply honoured by the continued collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and their trust in Google Cloud. This success is a shared achievement, magnified by the crucial contributions of all our partners and the inspiring innovation of our customers who join us in celebrating today.”The summit also highlighted how a diverse range of leading Qatari organisations are leveraging Google Cloud for their transformation journeys. These include Al Jazeera Media Network (AJMN), Aspire, beIN MEDIA GROUP, Media City Qatar, Ministry of Endowment and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf), Ministry of Labour, Ooredoo Group, Ooredoo Qatar, Qatar Airways, Qatar Foundation Pre-University Education, Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA), Qatar Insurance Company (QIC), Snoonu, and the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST), among many others that are driving innovation across various sectors.

Top officials of the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday to foster co-operation in the fields of education, scientific research, and community development.The MoU, signed by QBA chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani and CMU-Q dean Michael Trick, establishes partnerships across various sectors, including education and scientific research. It reflects the shared belief of both the QBA and CMU-Q in the vital role educational institutions play in enhancing the quality of the economy and society.The collaboration also aims to include training, exchange of expertise, and preparation of economic reports, public policy, business management, information systems, capacity building, specialised academic conferences, and community development initiatives.The QBA and CMU-Q have also agreed to establish a joint working group to ensure the effective implementation of the areas of cooperation outlined in the MoU.During the signing ceremony, Sheikh Faisal explained that Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy (NDS3) 2024–2030 places great emphasis on the outcomes of education. He noted that educational institutions in Qatar are producing “globally competitive graduates” who serve as a “strong asset” to the economic landscape.He said: “Accordingly, the Qatari Businessmen Association, in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030, is committed to supporting graduates — both now and in the future — by facilitating their entry into the labour market and creating wide-ranging opportunities.”He noted that by collaborating with CMU-Q, the QBA seeks to enhance academic and scientific research efforts in line with the goals of NDS3. He emphasised the importance of strategic partnerships between the business community and academic and research institutions to accelerate the application of research findings and development initiatives in economic and commercial sectors, thereby boosting overall productivity in the private sector.According to HE Sheikh Faisal, the QBA also plans to leverage the university’s educational programmes and strategic research, particularly in fields like computer science, business administration, and information systems offered by CMU-Q, as well as its renowned colleges and research centres in the US.Trick lauded the partnership, noting that it will contribute to the successful implementation of the NDS3, of which education and technology are key pillars. He highlighted CMU-Q’s commitment to utilising its research and technological capabilities to support this promising partnership, which will help develop innovative solutions to increase productivity across the private sector.Furthermore, the collaboration aims to prepare a new generation of highly skilled professionals who are equipped to integrate into the labour market or launch successful ventures in the digital economy, supporting Qatar’s ambition to become a regional hub for innovation, Trick also pointed out.

Global network technology leader Nokia is playing a pivotal role in driving simplification and enhanced capabilities for operators like Vodafone Qatar towards autonomous networks, an official has said.Raghav Sahgal, president of Cloud and Network Services at Nokia, said operators worldwide are investing heavily in automation to achieve network simplification and management, bringing more reliability and reducing the complexity of these networks.“The ultimate goal of autonomous networks is to create this end-to-end automation. This preparation is not just for 5G, but for the upcoming 'Gs' that come along, where you will have to run these networks much more autonomously,” Sahgal told Gulf Times in an exclusive interview.He noted that automation is not merely a buzzword but a necessity for modern networks. “Cloud brings automation, and these networks are becoming complex; hence, automation has become one of the key topics,” he further pointed out.Sahgal explained that while human intervention will always be present, the sheer volume of data generated by these networks “demands a more automated approach.”He said, “Human augmentation will continue, but it’s essential to manage the growing complexity of networks and data effectively. By integrating concepts like AI and security, we can create an autonomous network fabric that requires less human intervention.”Sahgal also noted that the transition to autonomous networks presents unique challenges: “As companies automate many human tasks, they have to make sure that in this process, everyone involved understands those tasks.”He underscored the importance of responsible implementation, especially when integrating artificial intelligence (AI). “The primary hurdle in moving from a traditional to an autonomous network is how I can rely on tools and capabilities to be able to do that responsibly,” said Sahgal, who also reassured that “the current technologies are sufficient and continuously improving, leading to a push for automation while also augmenting human capabilities.”According to Sahgal, Nokia’s partnership with Vodafone Qatar exemplifies this forward-thinking approach.“Human augmentation will always be there, but these tools are also there to make sure that we as humans are dealing with so much complexity and so much data that we have the right tools of automation and artificial intelligence to help guide us in managing these networks better and better,” he emphasised.Sahgal also lauded Vodafone Qatar's vision, affirming that “this is the right move as you get into and scale 5G. These are necessary steps that you have to take to be able to overcome the challenges of these modern networks and manage them.”Nokia's “comprehensive end-to-end capability” is crucial in this transition, moving beyond just mobile networks, he pointed out. “For Nokia, 5G is not about just mobility, it's about the end-to-end capability of being able to provide all of the necessary technology, and that's our value proposition,” he emphasised.He explained that a core component of this modernisation is Nokia's digital operations software, particularly in the realm of AI-driven assurance and 5G slicing automation.“In the 5G era, delivering much higher performance and deterministic performance is paramount. Deterministic performance means if you want a certain amount of bandwidth and you want that guaranteed without fluctuation, you can deliver a slice of a network to that enterprise or the consumer,” Sahgal added.

A diverse group of stakeholders representing Qatar’s thriving sports, investment, and innovation sectors gathered in Doha recently to explore opportunities to be presented at the ‘SportsBiz Africa Forum 2025’ (SBA2025), scheduled on September 9-10 in Kigali, Rwanda.Organised by Rwanda Events, in partnership with the Rwanda Convention Bureau, the networking event aimed to foster partnerships, promote investment opportunities, and share insights on the latest advancements in these interrelated fields during (SBA2025).The event was highlighted by presentations, a panel discussion, and a first look at SBA2025’s initiatives, under the theme of sport as a catalyst for sustainable development.It also emphasised deepening ties between Rwanda and Qatar, underscoring shared ambitions to shape the global sports agenda through investment, knowledge exchange, and strategic co-operation.The upcoming SBA2025 aligns closely with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 8) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, according to Christian Gakwaya, CEO of Rwanda Events.“Rwanda Events is committed to promoting inclusive industry growth, sustainable development, and the use of sport as a tool for socioeconomic progress. That’s why we’re here, not just to celebrate sport, but to spark partnerships, unlock capital, and explore the tremendous untapped potential of Africa’s sports economy,” Gakwaya pointed out in his speech.The panel discussion titled ‘Africa: The Next Sports Investment Frontier’ unpacked Africa’s readiness to attract and sustain investment in sports infrastructure, talent development, and innovation.The networking event also introduced SBA2025’s ‘Dealroom’, a new platform designed to connect investors with high-potential ventures across the sports ecosystem. It also offered a preview of an education programme led by the Johan Cruyff Institute, which will equip young African professionals with the skills to build and scale sports-related businesses.Gakwaya noted that stakeholders from Doha expressed “strong enthusiasm” for SBA2025 as “interest and anticipation for the forum continue to build,” describing the event as a “marketplace of ideas and investment” and “as a critical platform for shaping Africa’s sports narrative on a global stage.”

The recent launch of East-West Digital, a new company by global energy giant Iberdrola, is expected to play a positive role in Qatar's economic landscape, particularly through job creation and the acquisition of local and international talent.The launch of East-West Digital was held on the sidelines of the recently concluded 2025 edition of ‘Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg’, in the presence of Invest Qatar CEO Sheikh Ali Alwaleed al-Thani and Spanish ambassador Dr Alvaro Renedo Zalba.Speaking to Gulf Times during the event, Santiago Banales, managing director of Iberdrola Innovation Middle East and CEO of East-West Digital, said the new company aims to develop and commercialise AI-powered digital solutions for sustainability.He noted that the launch of East-West Digital “marks a pivotal moment in the deepening relationship between Iberdrola and Qatar”, describing the country as “strategically positioned as a global crossroads for innovation.”Banales underscored the ambitious growth trajectory for the new venture, saying the new company aims to follow the successful talent acquisition strategy previously implemented by Iberdrola Innovation Middle East.“We have a very ambitious growth plan, stated Banales, who added, “and we want to base this plan, as we did before with Iberdrola Innovation Middle East, based on recruiting the best talent possible here in the country but also worldwide.”According to Banales, East-West Digital's commitment to local talent is robust, sharing that Iberdrola Innovation Middle East historically hired approximately “80%” of its technical staff, filling high-end positions, directly from Qatar.“We’ll see how this mix will develop over time, but we want to follow the same strategy,” affirmed Banales, highlighting the company's dedication to “giving opportunities to the people here in Qatar, help in the economic diversification of the country, and attracting top talent worldwide to be able to create this company and deliver in our products and our goals.”Beyond direct hiring, Banales explained that East-West Digital will continue Iberdrola’s established practice of investing in continuous learning for its employees: “I’m a firm believer that the best way to train people is to put challenges before them. And you learn by doing.”Banales further elaborated on the structured approach to talent development, noting extensive agreements with universities both in Qatar and internationally: “We have a lot cooperation with Qatar University, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Texas A&M, and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar. We have all these agreements. But also, internationally with Comillas in Spain and with South Clyde in the UK.“We are leveraging our international network to train employees effectively. The key to our employees’ professional development is to present them with meaningful challenges. This is precisely what we are offering — significant opportunities for growth.”Earlier, Iberdrola released a media statement about the launch event, quoting Sheikh Ali as saying: “The launch of East-West Digital marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to foster innovation and sustainability in Qatar. This initiative is a testament to our ongoing collaboration with Iberdrola Innovation Middle East that began in May 2022.“By leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies, East-West Digital will not only enhance our digital landscape but also contribute to global sustainability goals. This venture underscores our commitment to supporting projects that drive economic growth and technological advancement, reinforcing Qatar's position as a hub for innovation and excellence.”Similarly, Pedro Azagra, CEO of Avangrid, said: “Iberdrola’s launch of East-West Digital at the 2025 ‘Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg’ demonstrates our strong dedication to advancing the electrification of the global economy.“This innovative initiative will leverage AI-powered solutions to develop smarter and more efficient grids, reduce external energy dependency, and boost competitiveness. By supporting local industries and generating employment opportunities, we aim to achieve not only technological progress but also economic stability and growth.”

Owing to Qatar’s strategic vision to become a global investment and lifestyle destination, coupled with increased transparency and strong demand across various segments, the country’s real estate sector is entering a robust new phase of growth, the Real Estate Regulatory Authority’s (Aqarat) top official has said.Speaking at the ‘The Future of Real Estate Supply & Demand’ panel discussion on the sidelines of Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg Wednesday, Aqarat president Khalid al-Obaidli shared an optimistic outlook of the sector, alongside co-panellists David L Steinbach, global chief investment officer, Hines, and Fettah Tamince, founder and chairman, Rixos Hotels.Al-Obaidli underscored Qatar’s proactive approach to promoting the country’s real estate market globally, saying among Aqarat’s focus is to ensure various developments like the world-class Simaisma project, meet top international standards in governance, information availability, and transparency.According to al-Obaidli, Qatar’s successful hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup served as a vital catalyst for infrastructure development. He said, “The World Cup provided a foundation not just for a single major event, but for numerous future events that Qatar is hosting and plans to host annually.”Al-Obaidli acknowledged the natural downturn post-FIFA World Cup, but he emphasised that “the market cycle is now picking up,” citing strong demand in residential and specialised, luxurious office spaces that offer solutions rather than just open areas. He also noted significant demand in niche markets, such as private hospitals and sports facilities across strategic locations in the country.He noted that Q1 2025 marked the strongest in Qatar’s real estate history in terms of sales and rentals, with a “17.9%” increase. He also pointed to other promising economic indicators, including a “2.4%” GDP increase last year and a drop in inflation to 1.1%.Asked about concerns of a potential oversupply compared to Doha’s Gulf neighbours, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, al-Obaidli emphasised that the country is “competing with ourselves” to offer a “unique lifestyle.”He underscored the need for private sector developers to explore and understand the specific requirements for Qatar and the broader Gulf region, saying that investing in Qatar opens access to key markets like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Bahrain.Al-Obaidli also described Qatar as a model for future cities, citing the convenience of short commutes to schools, work, and world-class hospitals and medical facilities. He said Qatar offers a work-life balance compared to other larger cities around the world.Tamince echoed al-Obaidli’s sentiment on Qatar’s strategic advantage as a “future city.” He explained that Rixos’s strategic investments, particularly for multi-use projects like theme parks and resorts, are heavily influenced by a city’s vision, infrastructure, promotional efforts, event calendars, and safety.Meanwhile, Steinbach weighed in on the topic of “deglobalisation,” and predicted that while trade patterns are shifting, the Middle East region, including Qatar, “stands to be a winner as new trade routes and ways of working emerge.”

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk clarified that his company has no plans to develop or venture into the business of military drones or weapon systems during the 2025 edition of the ‘Qatar Economic Forum Powered by Bloomberg’ Tuesday.Musk underscored that SpaceX is a leader in space launch and global connectivity, saying, “SpaceX doesn’t do drones. SpaceX builds rockets, satellites, and Internet terminals.”Elaborating on SpaceX’s current role, Musk highlighted the company’s dominant position in space launch, projecting it will account for approximately “90%” of mass launched to orbit this year.He said, “China will do half of the remaining amounts of 5%. And the rest of the world, including the rest of the US, will do about 5%. So, SpaceX will do about 10 times as much as the rest of the world combined, or 20 times as much as China. And China is doing a very impressive job.“The reason for this is that we are putting into orbit the largest satellite constellation the world has ever seen by far. So, I think at this point about maybe approaching 80% of all active satellites in orbit are SpaceX. And they’re providing high bandwidth global connectivity throughout the world. In fact, this connection is on the SpaceX connection.”Musk also explained that while SpaceX is “frequently asked to do weapons programmes,” the company “has thus far declined.” He reiterated, “I don't currently anticipate SpaceX getting into the weapons business. That’s certainly not an aspiration.”Asked if there are plans for a public listing of SpaceX or Starlink, Musk said: “It’s possible that Starlink may go public at some point in the future...I mean, [there’s] no rush to go public.”

The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is considering artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation as promising sectors amid plans to double its investments in the US, QIA CEO Mohammed Saif al-Sowaidi announced at the 2025 edition of the ‘Qatar Economic Forum Powered by Bloomberg’ Tuesday.Earlier, the QIA announced plans to deploy “$500bn” in the US over the next decade. Al-Sowaidi explained that the country’s sovereign wealth fund is preparing for an unprecedented investment push into the US, which is part of Qatar’s “$1.2tn” economic pledge announced during President Donald J Trump’s “historic visit” to Qatar last week.This marks a significant acceleration in QIA’s investment pace, effectively doubling or more its previous commitments in the past years, stated al-Sowaidi, who emphasised that the US remains a priority due to its robust financial systems and dominant global trade position.“His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani indicated openly that a lot of the additional reserves sales that are coming from the LNG expansion will be routed to the Future Generations Fund...and the US is 60% of the available trading markets in the world. It makes sense that most of our investments will go to the US market. We believe in the robustness of the US systems, the growth perspective the US enjoys, and we will continue to be there,” al-Sowaidi told the forum.Al-Sowaidi noted that a major portion of these investments will be directed toward digitalisation and AI-related technologies, which, he said, are among the sectors that QIA considers fundamental for long-term economic growth.“AI is definitely at the centre of what we’re focused on...more AI-enabled software and applications may improve people’s lives and increase productivity, especially as demographics are decreasing everywhere around the world,” he further explained.According to al-Sowaidi, the QIA has already taken significant steps into AI and digital infrastructure, having invested “$500mn” in Databricks this year. The fund also remains actively involved in hardware, infrastructure software, and applications, reinforcing its commitment to a technology-driven future, he also pointed out.“We started investing in data centres and AI hyperscale space about 10 years ago. We were hesitant when we started, but after a couple of years, we deployed size, and we’re very happy that we did it early because those investments are very valuable now,” al-Sowaidi noted.Beyond digitalisation, al-Sowaidi said the QIA has also invested significantly in Elon Musk’s AI venture XAI, citing this as an investment that aligns with Qatar’s broader strategy of capitalising on next-generation technological advancements.

The deputy head of mission at the British embassy in Qatar has emphasised that the embassy is keen on facilitating the expansion of Qatari investments beyond London, with a focus on employment generation and knowledge transfer, among others.“We want to continue supporting and growing Qatari investment outside of London, focusing on job creation, skill transfers, and sharing expertise,” Duncan Hill told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the launch of ‘British Food Week’, which runs until May 21 in all LuLu hypermarkets in Qatar.Hill said, “Our current focus is on emerging trends, including artificial intelligence (AI), low-carbon growth in the energy sector, advanced technology, financial technology (fintech), and insurance products. These areas are critical as the global economy faces significant challenges.”Highlighting the impact Qatari investments have on the UK labour market, Hill said: “There is significant Qatari investment in the property sector, but also in the energy sector, retail, and other industries that create employment. That’s important to us both professionally because a lot of that expertise can also return to Qatar.”Citing a recent Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) study, Hill said Qatari-owned businesses in the UK generated a total revenue impact of “£1.3tn” on the entire UK economy from 2008 to 2022, “creating thousands of jobs.”Qatar has been increasingly appealing to British professionals due to its international business environment and robust educational sector, Hill also pointed out.“I think the growth is driven by professionals wanting to come to Qatar and benefit from working in a multinational and international market environment — whether that’s in the energy sector or education. There is a strong focus on education, with many British or British-affiliated schools offering opportunities for work and learning,” Hill explained.Asked about the significant presence of Y International (UK) Ltd, LuLu Group’s logistics and packaging facility in Birmingham, Hill explained its strategic importance as a hub for LuLu, saying the area provides access to a huge number of people, businesses, and suppliers.Hill said, “Birmingham is well-known as the cradle of the first Industrial Revolution in the UK. That heritage, along with the economic strength of the city, offers LuLu Group a great platform for growth.“LuLu can reach small suppliers as well as bigger suppliers like Morrisons, which have expanded in the UK. From a logistics perspective, Birmingham makes it easy to receive and distribute goods. Products can arrive by air or come in from Europe, then be trucked efficiently and redistributed from the UK to Qatar or elsewhere in the Middle East.”

On the heels of the historic visit of US President Donald J Trump to the Gulf, a top official of retail giant LuLu Group has called on American companies to pour investments in the Gulf region, particularly Qatar, saying “the time is now.”Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the launching of ‘British Food Week’, which will run at all LuLu hypermarkets in Qatar, Dr Mohamed Althaf, Director, LuLu Group International, underlined the country’s investment potential for businesses seeking access to the Qatari market.“Now is the best time for US businesses to invest in Qatar. Despite the country’s geography, the country’s enormous potential and reach are impressive. Qatar’s investments in logistics and global trade make this an opportune moment,” Althaf pointed out, citing Qatar’s growing investments in logistics and global trade as key drivers.Althaf, who participated in the recently held ‘SelectUSA Investment Summit 2025’ in Maryland, also pointed to the strong private sector presence in both countries, saying Qatar and the US “have a very vibrant private sector with deep pockets.”He said, “Historically, businesses trust countries where governments invest. So we think there will be a lot of private sector opportunities coming up with these partnerships, both ways.”According to Althaf, private sector engagement will significantly benefit businesses in both regions: “This is going to be huge for the private sector. Wherever government investments occur, auxiliary industries and businesses thrive.”Aside from private sector participation, Althaf also highlighted Qatar’s openness to trade, citing tariffs and market access: “This region, and particularly Qatar, imposes no tariffs; Qatar is already a tariff-free country and a leader in free trade.”Amid the uncertainties facing global trade, Althaf expressed optimism and confidence in Qatar-US relations, saying, “This corridor is going to thrive. There is absolutely no doubt about it.”Looking forward, Althaf underscored the potential of a Qatar-US free trade agreement. “We already have substantial trade, but formalising a free trade agreement would reinforce what is already happening. A pan-GCC-US free trade agreement would also be beneficial,” he emphasised.Althaf further said, “Large corporations are tired of navigating bureaucratic hurdles. A free trade agreement would be a tremendous opportunity for growth. Furthermore, Qatar’s investments never come with policy conditions or restrictions. Qatar invests in sectors requiring substantial capital, making it a highly attractive investor.”Althaf also addressed Qatar’s approach to investments, noting that the country is investing in sectors that require significant capital. “Qatar is one of the best investors a country can get,” he said.

Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison is spearheading the development of sovereign AI to elevate Indonesia’s economic trajectory, according to president director and CEO, Vikram Sinha.“Indosat has a larger purpose – to connect and empower every Indonesian. In Indonesia, I believe that the rise of AI presents the country with an unprecedented opportunity to uplift our GDP growth to around 8% per year. “By creating sovereign AI for Indonesia, we can cement our position as a regional technology hub, further drive economic growth and ultimately help the country achieve the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision,” Sinha told Gulf Times in an exclusive interview. He explained that sovereign AI means “AI in Indonesia, developed by Indonesia, for use by Indonesians and Indonesian businesses.”Sinha explained that the company is helping the Southeast Asian nation in building capabilities to produce AI using domestic infrastructure, data, and talent. This also democratises AI, providing all Indonesians and businesses in the country access to what he described as a “revolutionary technology.”He said: “Right now, Indonesia is at a pivotal moment in its journey towards Golden Vision 2024. It is already the largest economy in Southeast Asia, and with a vibrant digital economy and young and dynamic population of over 270mn, AI has the potential to take growth to the next level.”Supported by global partners, such as Nvidia and Accenture, Sinha believes Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison is well-positioned to build the infrastructure necessary to foster a thriving AI ecosystem. “As one of the leading telecoms companies in Indonesia and with the strong support of our shareholders, including Ooredoo Group, we believe we are well placed to help create Indonesia’s Sovereign AI capabilities and foster a thriving AI ecosystem in the country,” he emphasised.At the same time, Sinha said Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison is laying the groundwork for Indonesia’s first full-stack sovereign AI factory, which he said is a major investment designed to give the country a competitive edge in the Southeast Asian region.“We began building the foundations of our AI factory in February 2024 when we partnered with NVIDIA to become their first cloud provider partner in Indonesia, working with our subsidiary Lintasarta. Under the partnership, we have established a sovereign AI cloud platform for Indonesia, leveraging the portfolio of high-density data centres owned by Lintasarta. “These high-quality data centres host advanced, full-stack accelerated computing platforms that use NVIDIA’s latest GPUs and can support the most computationally intensive tasks needed to support AI applications,” he said.Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison has since launched ‘GPU Merdeka’ (meaning “independent”), its sovereign AI-cloud service providing businesses with access to powerful GPUs on demand, said Sinha. “GPU Merdeka aims to democratise access to AI for all businesses in Indonesia by providing GPU-as-a-Service and a range of additional AI tools, including NVIDIA’s AI Enterprise, to support them in developing their own AI applications,” Sinha explained. Sinha noted that Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison is developing a foundational AI model and a range of industry-specific AI-powered applications, citing the company’s Sahabat-AI foundational large language model (LLM), developed in partnership with Nvidia and GoTo Group.He said Sahabat-AI is an open-source LLM trained on local Indonesian datasets and specifically designed for Bahasa Indonesia and Indonesian dialects, allowing Indonesian businesses to build AI-based services that understand the local language and are tailored for Indonesian users. “With Sahabat-AI, we aim to ensure that AI is inclusive and beneficial for all Indonesians. We have made it open source so research institutes, universities, enterprises, media and government agencies can all be part of a national effort to train this AI foundation model and foster a broad AI ecosystem in Indonesia,” he said, adding that “We see applications for AI across a wider range of sectors in Indonesia, including government services, healthcare, banking, education and agriculture to name just some.” Sinha further said Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison is also investing in AI talent development: “People and talent sit right at the heart of our ambitions to become an AI-native company and our plans to create sovereign AI capabilities in Indonesia. We are fully committed to helping to build Indonesia’s human capital so that its workforce has the skills needed to develop and use AI.”

The top official of the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) lauded US President Donald J Trump’s arrival in Doha Wednesday, citing it as “historic” and underpinning the robust ties shared by the US and Qatar.Trump was welcomed by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani upon the US president’s arrival at Hamad International Airport (HIA), marking his “first official visit to the Middle East,” which, according to QBA chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, “underscores the close and strategic relationship between Doha and Washington over the past years.”Sheikh Faisal also highlighted that Qatar’s investment across different states the US, including Washington, DC, “are among the most significant factors strengthening the strong partnership with the US.”“President Trump’s economic orientation is clear—focused on expanding artificial intelligence, liberalising the market, and attracting foreign direct investment. This aligns with Qatar’s 2025–2030 vision, which aims to transition toward a knowledge-based and AI-driven economy. “Consequently, Qatar has accelerated its investments in the technology sector within the US, which will contribute to transferring and localising advanced technologies in Qatar in the coming years,” Sheikh Faisal pointed out in a statement to Gulf Times.“The US is a reliable trade partner for Qatar, with enhanced cooperation reflected in the diversification of investment portfolios across various sectors, particularly tourism, real estate, entertainment, media, sports, and retail, in both the private and public sectors, stated Sheikh Faisal, adding that “President Trump’s visit represents a major opportunity to deepen cooperation between businessmen in both countries.”

The Republic of Korea (ROK) has ensured its goal to facilitate the broader adoption of Korean smart farming technologies throughout the Middle East, with a particular emphasis on Qatar, a Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) official has said.Director general KIM Jung Wook of the MAFRA’s Agri-food Innovation Policy Bureau made the statement after MAFRA and Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality held the second meeting of the ‘ROK-Qatar Smart Farm Cooperation Committee’ at the Rural Development Administration (RDA) in South Korea on Tuesday.The ‘ROK-Qatar Smart Farm Cooperation Committee’ is a “director general-level” working committee, operated based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on smart farm cooperation amended and signed between the two countries in October 2023, a statement from MAFRA explained.According to MAFRA, South Korea and Qatar have been expanding cooperation in the field of smart farming since the committee’s first meeting in Doha in February 2024.“For instance, Qatar’s economic working group visited Korean smart-farm exporting companies to see smart farming technologies in 2024. Both sides also carried out the verification and validation of Korean machinery and equipment to see whether they can fulfil their intended purpose under Qatar’s desert climate,” the statement further explained.During the second committee meeting, KIM discussed the following topics with the Qatar side of the committee, led by Dr Masoud Jarallah al-Marri, the director of the Food Security Department at the Ministry of Municipality: Qatar’s agricultural policies, including the National Food Security Strategy 2030; ways for investment cooperation to build a Korean model of smart farm innovation industrial complex in Qatar; and a plan to extend the period of verification and validation of Korean agricultural machinery and equipment to see whether they can withstand Qatar’s severely hot weather.According to MAFRA, it “has been sparing no effort to expand a path for K-smart farms to enter overseas markets. To this end, the MAFRA has been building the Demo Smart Farm in the Middle East, and this year, it started the construction of the Demo Smart Farm in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.“In addition, the MAFRA designated trade offices dedicated to supporting smart farm export in three regions—the Middle East, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and Oceania—and has been providing full support for consortiums of smart-farm companies to continue to win construction orders of smart farms from overseas buyers.”KIM added: “Recently, the trade and cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the State of Qatar are gaining more momentum. We will continue to make efforts to ensure that Korean smart farm technologies can be more widely adopted in the Middle East, including Qatar. We strongly hope that cooperation between the two countries in terms of smart farming will advance to the next level.”